MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Meatal stenosis

Medical Encyclopedia

Meatal stenosis

Meatal stenosis results from irritation of the urethral opening at the end of the penis, which leads to tissue growth and scarring across the opening. The growth narrows the end of the penis causing the urine flow to become a fine narrow stream. Sometimes there is also bleeding at the end of urination. Meatal stenosis can usually be treated in the physician's office using local anesthesia to the area and dilating (widening) the urethral opening with special instruments.

Update Date: 9/7/2008

Updated by: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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