National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Urethral Disorders is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass outside the body. In men, the urethra is a long tube that runs through the penis. In women, the urethra is short. Urethral problems may happen due to aging, illness or injury. They include:
Symptoms of urethral problems may include pain, difficulty passing urine, bleeding, or discharge.
Doctors diagnose urethral problems using different tests. These include urine tests, x-rays and examination of the urethra with a scope called a cystoscope. Treatment varies depending on the cause of the problem. It may include medicines and, in severe cases, surgery.
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)