Urethral stricture refers to narrowing of the urethra which is typically caused due to formation of scar tissue. The urethra is the lowermost part of the urinary tract through which urine passes out from the urinary bladder. Urethral strictures are more common in males than in females.
A holistic and completely natural science of healing, homoeopathy can be effective in treating urethral stricture. In the beginning, these medicines work help in bringing significant relief in signs and symptoms of urethral stricture, like straining to urinate, weak or split stream of urine, frequent urge to urinate, interrupted urine. They ensure that the passage of urine becomes normal again and is completely painless. Once the symptoms start going away, the medicines work towards dissolving the scar in the urethra for long-term recovery.
In conventional medicine, treatment involves frequent dilatation called catheterization and surgical intervention in cases of urethral stricture. These procedures carry a risk of many side effects and urethral stricture may reappear. Moreover, they offer temporary and short-term relief in symptoms with no permanent solution for urethral strictures. On the other hand, homeopathy treats it very gently and offers long-term relief without any adverse side effects. In many cases of mild to moderate intensity, homoeopathy can help in avoiding surgical intervention. The earlier the homeopathic treatment is started, the higher are the chances of cure without surgery.
Homeopathy follows the principle of Similimum, which means that medicines are prescribed after thorough evaluation of individual’s symptoms by a homoeopathic doctor and the medicine which matches most closely is selected. The same principle is applied in cases of urethral strictures as well. Once the medicine is finalized, the potency and dosage of that medicine is decided. The dosage can vary from case to case depending on the age of the person, the intensity of symptoms and chronicity of the complaint.
Homeopathy is completely safe for treating urethral stricture as these medicines are prepared from natural substances which are free of any chemicals or toxins and are highly diluted.
Top 12 Natural Homeopathic Remedies for Urethral Stricture
The top 12 homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture management are Clematis Erecta, Chimaphila Umblleta, Cantharis Vesicatoria, Thiosinaminum, Conium Maculatum, Arnica Montana, Cannabis Sativa, Mercurius Solubilis, Parerira Brava, Thuja Occidentalis, Osimum Sanctum and Staphysagria.
1. Clematis Erecta – For Weak Stream of Urine, Straining To Urinate and Interrupted Flow
Clematis is one of the best natural medicines to manage cases of urethral stricture. It can relieve many symptoms like a feeble stream of urine with slow passage of urine. Straining is required to initiate urine flow. An extreme sensation of constriction is felt in the urethra while passing urine. The bladder does not empty in one go and the flow of urine is interrupted again. At times, urine is passed drop by drop. There is a constant sensation of unsatisfactory urination after passing urine. Clematis helps in establishing proper flow of urine. There is a burning sensation in the urethra while passing urine. This medicine is beneficial for all those patients of urethral stricture who have a history of gonorrhea.
When to use Clematis Erecta?
Clematis is a leading medicine to manage urethral stricture when urine flow is initiated with great difficulty, the urine stream is weak and interrupted.
How to use Clematis Erecta?
In the beginning of the treatment, it is advised to use Clematis in 30C potency two to three times a day for good results.
2. Chimaphila Umblleta – For Thin and Split Stream of Urine
Chimaphila Umblleta is of great help when urine stream is thin like a thread or there is split urine stream. Additionally, a lot of straining is required to pass urine. In spite of straining, the urine passed is very less in quantity. A characteristic feature is that the patient is able to empty the bladder when standing with feet set wide apart and body stooped forward. When such typical symptoms appear, the selection of the correct medicine becomes easy. Chimaphila is also recommended when there is frequent urge to urinate in every one to two hours. Cutting and burning pain may be felt while passing urine.
When to use Chimaphila Umblleta?
This medicine can be used for cases of urethral stricture having thin or split urine stream with marked straining to pass urine.
How to use Chimaphila Umblleta?
Its use is mainly recommended in the form of mother tincture (Q) that can be taken two-three times a day as per the severity of symptoms.
3. Cantharis Vesicatoria – For Pain or Burning While Urinating
Cantharis is a very well-known and widely used medicine for various kinds of urinary troubles. It is helpful in treating urethral stricture when the foremost complaint is pain or burning sensation while passing urine. These symptoms may start before urination and continue even after passing urine. Urine may be passed drop by drop. The urge to pass urine is almost constant.
When to use Cantharis Vesicatoria?
It is the best choice of medicine to manage pain or burning felt during, before or after urination in urethral stricture cases.
How to use Cantharis Vesicatoria?
It can be used in 30C potency up to 3-4 times in a day. It is equally effective in 200C and 1M potencies which should be taken after consulting a homeopathic doctor.
4. Thiosinaminum – To Dissolve the Scars in Urethral Stricture
Thiosinaminum is known for its ability to dissolve scars formed anywhere in the body. Thiosinaminum can work wonders in urethral stricture cases where the scar tissue is formed in urethra due to some reason. The scar resolving power of this natural remedy cannot be matched by any other medicine. Pain while passing urine and increased urination at night are the main symptoms found in people needing this medicine.
When to use Thiosinaminum?
Thiosinaminum proves effective to dissolve a scar in urethral stricture cases, along with symptoms of painful urination and increased frequency to pass urine at night.
How to use Thiosinaminum?
Though it can be used in both low and high potencies, in the beginning, it is advised to take it in 30C potency once or twice a day.
5. Conium Maculatum – For Intermittent Urinary Stream
This medicine can help patients of urethral stricture where the main trouble is the intermittent stream of urine. It takes a lot of time to complete the act of urination. The urine starts to flow and then stops, and this process of starting and stopping is repeated several times to completely drain the urine out. Burning pain after passing urine may be felt.
When to use Conium?
Its use is highly suggested for urethral stricture cases with interrupted urinary stream.
How to use Conium?
One may take Conium in 30 C power one or two times in a day.
6. Arnica Montana – For Urethral Stricture with a History of Injury or Trauma
Arnica Montana is a natural medicine made from the plant Leopard’s Bane. It is universally accepted medicine for curing trauma and injury cases. Arnica can be administered in cases of Urethral Stricture where a history of an injury is found. Injuries basically caused by blunt objects, a blow or a fall are treated by using this medicine. Arnica usually addresses complaints of patients who have a frequent urge to urinate and sore and bruised pain in urethra while urinating or otherwise.
When to use Arnica Montana?
It is a very effective medicine to treat cases of urethral stricture that occur after an injury.
How to use Arnica Montana?
Arnica Montana should be administered in 30C potency two to three times a day for best results.
7. Cannabis Sativa – For Urethral Strictures with Split Stream of Urine
Cannabis Sativa is a useful medicine in cases of urethral strictures when urination occurs in a split stream. Straining to pass urine is also required. Dribbling of urine occurs after urine flow ceases. Burning in the urethra is there while passing urine.
When to use Cannabis Sativa?
This medicine can be considered in cases of urethral stricture who generally have a complaint of a split urinary stream, straining to urinate and dribbling after passing urine.
How to use Cannabis Sativa?
This medicine is usually administered in 30C potency one to two times a day.
8. Mercurius Solubilis – For Increased Frequency of Urine and Constant Urge to Urinate
Mercurius Solubilis is a highly effective medicine to manage increased frequency of urination and urgency to pass urine. A person has to rush to pass urine as the urge cannot be controlled. While urinating, the stream of urine is very weak. Urination is accompanied by a sensation of burning pain.
When to use Mercurius Solubilis?
This medicine can be opted for managing frequent and urgent urination in cases of urethral stricture.
How to use Mercurius Solubilis?
Both the lower and the highest potencies of this medicine have proved to be effective and offer the best possible results. However, initially, it is advised to use it in 30C potency once or twice daily.
9. Pareira Brava – For Obstructed and Painful Urination
Pareira Brava is a natural homeopathic medicine sourced from plant “Virgin-Vine”. This medicine is administered in cases of urethral stricture with marked difficulty in passing urine. There is complete suppression of urine due to obstruction. Those who need this medicine have a constant urge to urinate, but urine passes drop by drop. Severe pain in bladder, urethra, and thighs during micturition is also a main indicator that points to the use of Pareira Brava.
When to use Pareira Brava?
Pareira Brava is administered for chronic urethral strictures with painful urinary obstruction especially after instrumentation.
How to use Pareira Brava?
It is administered in 30C potency twice or thrice daily for best results.
10. Thuja Occidentalis – For Thin, Forked and Scattered Urinary Stream
Thuja Occidentalis is a very effective medicine for chronic urethral stricture, especially post-gonorrheal. This medicine should be used if there is a thin, split, forked, or scattered urinary stream. Burning sensation may be there during and after urination. It also works wonderfully in cases of urethral stricture with a history of suppressed discharges. Urine passes slowly, with interruption. Persistent sensation of something remaining in urethra is felt alongside dribbling of urine.
When to use Thuja Occidentalis?
This remedy is administered in cases with chronic urethral stricture along with characteristic urinary symptoms such as thin, split, forked, or scattered urinary stream.
How to use Thuja Occidentalis?
Initially, it can be administered in 30C potency once a day. Potency can be raised to 200C or 1M after consulting a qualified homoeopath.
11. Ocimum Sanctum– For Urethral Strictures with Colicky Pains and Dysuria
Ocimum Sanctum is a wonderful medicine for urethral stricture with spasmodic obstruction. Painful, difficulty in urination is felt due to spasm rather than fixed pathology alone. Stricture is associated with renal or urethral colic. It is also administered for those who frequently urge to urinate with distress and urine may be scanty or difficult to pass. Burning and cutting pain during urination can accompany. There’s a marked sensation of spasm or tightness in urethra which is temporarily relieved after passage of the urine.
When to use Ocimum Sanctum?
It shows a marked result on the urinary tract, especially where pain, spasm, and functional obstruction are noticed. It is useful in cases of urethral stricture with severe colicky pain and dysuria, particularly when spasm aggravates the narrowing.
How to use Ocimum Sanctum?
It is administered in 30C potency twice or thrice daily for best possible outcome.
12. Staphysagria – For Urethral Strictures Following Catheterization, Surgery or Instrumentation
Staphysagria is a top homoeopathic remedy for urethral stricture following catheterization, surgery, or instrumentation. Characteristic feature to administer this medicine is burning and cutting pain during urination after mechanical injury to the urethra. Urinary complaints associated with suppressed anger, emotional distress and humiliation. As one passes urine there is burning, and smarting pain felt alongside. There is frequent urge, often with passage of very little urine which is accompanied by sensation of rawness or irritation in urethra. Pain may persist after micturition.
When to use Staphysagria?
It is administered in cases where urethral stricture develops after injury, instrumentation, surgery. It is particularly useful when burning, irritation and cutting pain dominates, with a history of catheterization or local trauma.
How to use Staphysagria?
Initiate with a 30C potency once daily. Potency can be raised to 200C but only after consulting a qualified homoeopath.
Signs And Symptoms Of Urethral Stricture
The symptoms of urethral stricture include the following:
1. Weak urine stream and intense straining to pass urine
2. Spraying or splitting of urine stream: It means the flow of urine splits and goes in two directions instead of one normal urine stream in one direction
3. A feeling that the urinary bladder is not completely empty after passing urine
4. Increased frequency of urine especially at night accompanied with an urgency to urinate
5. Interrupted urine stream: Urine starts and stops several times while passing out completely
6. Pain or burning sensation before, during and after urinating
7. Loss of bladder control, urethral discharge, swelling / pain of penis, pain in lower abdomen, urine passing out in drops are other symptoms
8. Dark urine, blood in urine/semen
9. Acute urine retention when a person is unable to urinate at all (it is serious condition and should be treated immediately)
Causes Of Urethral Stricture
The main cause behind urethral stricture is scar formation within the urethra from an injury or instrumentation or surgery. The causes are enumerated as follows:
1. Trauma or injury to the urethra: The trauma may follow any hit or blow on the urethra/ trauma to pelvis. Falling on the bar of a bicycle is very common injury that can lead to urethral stricture.
2. Instrumentation: Endoscopy, catheterization
3. Surgical operations (Post-operative Urethral Stricture): It may follow a prostate operation, kidney stone removal surgery, hypospadias surgery (to correct urethral opening position in penis)
4. Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and inflammatory conditions of the urethra (urethritis).
5. Sexually transmitted infections: Few infections include gonorrhea and chlamydia infection.
6. Passage of kidney stone
7. Radiation therapy
8. Cancer of prostate or urethra
9. Less commonly, urethral stricture can be congenital (present since birth) or may occur due to pressure exerted by a tumor near the urethra. In some cases, there may be no cause for the formation of a urethral stricture.
Risk Factors
1. Males are more at risk as compared to females, to develop urethral stricture
2. A recent catheterization
3. Recurrent UTI (urinary tract infection) or STI (sexually transmitted infection)
4. Urethritis (inflamed urethra) or Prostatitis
5. Enlarged prostate
6. Congenital abnormalities like Hypospadias
7. Previous radiation treatment
Complications of Urethral Stricture
If not treated timely, urethral strictures can lead to serious complications like:
1. Urinary retention
2. Urinary Tract Infection
3. Kidney stones
4. Urethral fistula
5. Hydronephrosis (swollen kidneys from build-up of fluid inside them)
6. Chronic kidney disease due to persistent obstruction
7. Urinary incontinence
8. Sexual dysfunctions (Painful ejaculation and intercourse)
Diagnosis of Urethral Strictures
Urethral strictures are diagnosed by conducting various tests and scans, such as
1. Uro-flowmetry Test: Itmeasures the amount of urine passed out from the body and the speed of its passage, plus the total time taken to pass all urine
2. Retrograde Urethrogram (RGU):In this case, an X-ray film is taken after injecting a contrast agent through the penis opening. It reveals the location and length of the stricture in the urethra, if present.
3. Cystoscopy:A camera is inserted inside the penis to view the inside of the urethra and to look for a stricture.
4. MRI, CT scan and Ultrasound: These are done to view urethra and adjacent structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is urethral stricture a serious condition?
It can become serious if untreated, leading to infections, bladder problems, or urinary retention. Early treatment prevents complications.
2. Can urethral stricture be managed without surgery?
Yes, mild or early cases may respond well to conservative treatment, while long-standing or fibrotic strictures often need surgical care.
3. How does homeopathy help in treating urethral stricture?
Homeopathy helps by reducing inflammation, easing burning and pain, improving urine flow, and addressing the tendency for recurrence.
4. How long does homoeopathic treatment take?
There is improvement within weeks in mild cases, while chronic cases require longer and regular follow-up.
5. Can urethral stricture recur after treatment?
Yes, recurrence is possible, especially if infections, trauma, or follow-ups are neglected.
6. What lifestyle changes are helpful in managing urethral strictures?
Few lifestyle changes such as adequate water intake, timely urination, good hygiene, and avoiding self-medication support recovery.
7. When should urgent medical care be sought?
Seek immediate medical help if there is complete urine blockage, fever, severe pain or blood in the urine.
8. Is lifelong treatment necessary?
No, usually not. Most patients recover well, though a periodic follow-up may be needed.
9. Can women have urethral stricture?
Yes, though it is less common. Symptoms include weak stream and recurrent urinary infection.
10. Can urethral stricture affect kidney health?
Yes, long-standing obstruction can indirectly affect kidney function if left untreated.
11. Can stress worsen symptoms?
Yes, stress may aggravate urinary discomfort and spasm in some individuals.
12. Is catheterization required in all cases of urethral strictures?
No, catheterization is used only in severe cases, where it should be given immediately, such as in cases of acute retention.