What is the Difference Between BPH and Urethral Stricture

The key difference between BPH and urethral stricture is that BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is a medical condition that results in non-cancerous prostate gland enlargement, while urethral stricture is a medical condition that results in scarring of the urethra, which narrows the urethral tube.

BPH and urethral stricture are two conditions associated with the urogenital system. Both these disorders can be mainly identified in men. However, urethral strictures can also be seen in women. They may present with similar symptoms, such as more frequent urination, decreased urine flow, incomplete bladder emptying, etc.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
3. What is Urethral Stricture
4. Similarities – BPH and Urethral Stricture
5. BPH vs. Urethral Stricture in Tabular Form
6. Summary – BPH vs. Urethral Stricture

What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a health condition in men that is more common with age. It is also known as enlarged prostate. The prostate gland is a small gland that produces semen in men. It is usually found just below the bladder. The enlarged prostate can cause blocking of the flow of urine out of the bladder. BPH can also cause bladder, urinary tract, or kidney problems. The symptoms of BPH may include frequent urination, trouble starting to urinate, weak urine system, dribbling at the end of urine, not being able to fully empty the bladder, urinary tract infection, not being able to urinate sometimes, and blood in the urine. The etiology of this disorder is still not known. But it is believed to be due to hormonal changes in men as they get older. The complications of BPH include not being able to urinate, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, bladder damage, and kidney damage.

The diagnosis procedures for BPH include digital rectal examinations, urine tests, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, urinary flow tests, postvoid residual volume tests, 24-hour voiding diary, transrectal ultrasound, prostate biopsy, urodynamic and pressure flow studies and cystoscopy. Furthermore, the treatment options for BPH are medicines such as alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, combination therapy (both alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase), and tadalafil and surgery.

What is Urethral Stricture?

The urethral stricture is a condition that involves scarring and narrowing of the urethra, which carries urine out of the body. This condition can be seen in men as well as in women. But it is more common in men. The signs and symptoms of this condition may include decreased urine stream or flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, spraying of urine stream, difficulty or pain while urinating, more frequent urination, and urinary tract infection. Urethral stricture can be caused by medical procedures that involve inserting an instrument like an endoscope into the urethra, long-term use of a catheter inserted through the urethra to drain the bladder, trauma to the urethra or pelvis, enlarged prostate or previous surgery done to reduce enlarged prostate, prostate cancer or urethra cancer, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and radiation therapy.

Moreover, to diagnose urethral stricture, doctors might perform a physical examination and imaging test with X-rays called retrograde urethrogram. Furthermore, treatment options for urethral stricture may include dilation, urethrotomy, and open surgery called urethroplasty.

What are the Similarities Between BPH and Urethral Stricture?

• BPH and urethral stricture are two conditions associated with the urogenital system.
• BPH can be caused by urethral stricture.
• Both conditions may present with similar symptoms, such as decreased urine flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, etc.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging testing.
• They can be treated through specific surgeries.

What is the Difference Between BPH and Urethral Stricture?

BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a medical condition that results in non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, while urethral stricture is a medical condition that results in scarring of the urethra that narrows the urethral tube. Thus, this is the key difference between BPH and urethral stricture. Furthermore, only men are affected by BPH, whereas men are mainly affected by urethral stricture, but it can also be seen in women.

The infographic below presents the differences between BPH and urethral stricture in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – BPH vs. Urethral Stricture

BPH and urethral stricture are two diseases seen in the urogenital system. BPH can be a contributing factor in the development of urethral stricture. BPH refers to non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland due to hormonal changes. On the other hand, urethral stricture is the scarring and narrowing of the urethral tube due to various reasons such as inserting an instrument like an endoscope into the urethra, long-term use of a catheter inserted through the urethra to drain the bladder, trauma to the urethra or pelvis, enlarged prostate, etc. So, this summarizes the difference between BPH and urethral stricture.

Reference:

1. “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).” Mayo Clinic.
2. “Urethral Stricture: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “3D Medical Animation Urethral Stunt” By Scientific Animations.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia