AINU Doctors Successfully Treat Rare Female Urethral Stricture

Hyderabad: Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU) announces the successful treatment of a 45-year-old woman who suffered from urethral stricture for 12 years, restoring her urinary function and quality of life through advanced reconstructive surgery.

A woman who had suffered for over a decade with difficulty in passing urine has regained normal urinary function following an advanced surgical procedure. The life-changing reconstructive procedure was expertly carried out by Dr Sarika Pandya, Consultant Female Urologist and Dr Bhavatej Enganti, Head- Reconstructive Urology, giving the patient a renewed sense of comfort and confidence.

Pallavi (name changed), a 45-year-old housewife from Jharkhand, was suffering from persistent urinary difficulties for over a decade, including painful urination, poor urinary flow, frequent infections, and significant discomfort that affected her quality of life. Despite consulting and undergoing temporary treatments, her condition continued to recur, leading to prolonged physical, emotional & psychological distress.

The patient had undergone repeated urethral dilatation procedures over 10–12 years, which provided only temporary relief. She experienced interrupted urine flow, prolonged time spent in the bathroom—often up to 20 minutes—and recurrent urinary tract infections. Following buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty, her urinary flow returned to normal within four months of surgery.

Dr Sarika Pandya, Consultant Female Urologist, AINU Banjara Hill,s explained that the woman was diagnosed with female urethral stricture, a condition caused by narrowing of the urethra that results in poor urinary flow. Symptoms commonly include dribbling of urine, intermittent flow, frequent urinary infections, and a persistent sensation of incomplete bladder emptying.

According to Dr Pandya, female urethral stricture can occur due to repeated urinary tract infections, Catheterization during any surgeries such as Caesarean section or hysterectomy, and frequent urethral dilatations performed without detailed evaluation.

Urethral dilatation, often used as a first-line treatment, offers only temporary symptom relief, Dr Pandya noted. “Many women undergo the procedure every one or two months. Repeated dilatations can further damage the urethra and worsen the condition over time,” she said.

Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty, a procedure long established in male patients, is now being successfully performed in women as well, she said. The surgery involves using tissue from the inner lining of the mouth to reconstruct the narrowed portion of the urethra, providing a long-term solution.

“After surgery, patients can pass urine completely within seconds. The prolonged time spent in the bathroom is eliminated, urinary tract infections reduce significantly, and overall quality of life improves,” Dr Pandya said, adding that the procedure does not increase the risk of urinary incontinence.

AINU has performed this procedure on 60 women over the past five years, almost all patients showing good post-operative outcomes, Dr Pandya said. In another case, a woman with recurrent urinary tract infections was found through ultrasound and cystoscopy to have incomplete bladder emptying due to a urethral stricture. She reported significant improvement following surgery.

Dr Pandya advised women experiencing prolonged urination time, interrupted or weak urine flow, recurrent infections, or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying to seek specialist evaluation. The condition is more commonly seen in women over 40 years of age and is present in about 10–20% of women presenting with urinary complaints, she added.

Speaking about the procedure, Dr Bhavatej Enganti, Head - Reconstructive Urology, said, “Female urethral stricture is uncommon and often overlooked, leading to years of suffering for patients. This case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and advanced reconstructive procedures. With timely intervention, even long-standing conditions can be treated effectively.”

Female urethral stricture and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are not just medical conditions—they carry a significant social and emotional burden for women.

In many societies, urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, burning, leakage, or difficulty passing urine are considered embarrassing or taboo. Women often hesitate to speak openly about these issues, even with family members or doctors, fearing judgment, shame, or misunderstanding.