Symptoms of meatal stenosis are often related to the obstruction of the flow of urine in the bladder. This can cause pain, discomfort, and difficulty with urination. The symptoms may also lead to urinary tract infections, kidney problems, and other health complications. The condition is most common in circumcised boys.
If you suspect that your child has meatal stenosis, you may be able to find out by performing a physical examination. The condition can be acquired or congenital. You may also need to perform tests, such as urine analysis, to diagnose it. You can also have a doctor perform a cystoscopy, which is a procedure that allows the doctor to see inside the organs. In this case, a thin tube is inserted into the bladder, allowing the doctor to see the condition of the urethra. You may also be referred to a urologist for a diagnosis and treatment.
The most common symptoms of meatal stenosis are pain and difficulty with urination. The condition can be caused by irritation of the meatus, such as after rubbing against a diaper or a urinary catheter. This irritation can cause scar tissue to form on the urethra, which can narrow the opening of the urethra and interfere with the flow of urine. You can take steps to minimize this irritation, such as changing diapers and applying petroleum jelly to the wound to help it heal faster. You may also use oral pain killers to relieve the pain.
Some of the less common symptoms include blood or microscopic blood in the urine, burning when urinating, and difficulty urinating. Other symptoms include a deviated urinary stream, urinary frequency, and a difficult-to-aim urine stream.
You may need to have a doctor perform a procedure, such as a meatoplasty, to correct the condition. This procedure can be performed in a hospital or an outpatient clinic. You may be given local anesthesia, a general anesthesia, or a combination of both.
In order to perform the procedure, your doctor will need to make a small slit to widen the opening of the meatus. You may also need to use a steroid cream to prevent the skin from healing unevenly. A warm bath is also a great way to reduce the discomfort that may arise after the procedure. The wound may also need to be treated with ointment to help it heal.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your health care provider right away. The condition can cause severe complications if it is left untreated. You may need to undergo surgery, which will make the opening of the urethra larger and prevent bleeding.
When you are diagnosed with meatal stenosis, you will be given a treatment plan that will be tailored to you. You may need to take oral pain relievers or steroids to help you with the discomfort. You may also need to use a warm bath and change your diapers to prevent irritation of the meatus and urine crystals.