The meatus (mee-AY-tis) is the opening in a boy's penis where the urine
(pee) comes out. In meatal stenosis (mee-AT-ul steh-NO-sis), the meatus is too
small.
Meatal stenosis happens when irritation causes a scar at the meatus. This makes
the opening smaller. Irritation can come from rubbing against a diaper, an injury
to the penis, or having a
(a plastic tube that lets the pee flow out of the body) in place for a
long time. Meatal stenosis is more likely to happen in a boy who is circumcised.
A simple procedure can fix meatal stenosis. This makes the opening bigger so that
the pee can come out normally.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Meatal Stenosis?
Meatal stenosis is usually noticed when a boy starts to toilet
train and has trouble aiming his pee into the toilet. Meatal stenosis can cause
a boy to:
pee upward
need to pee a lot
take a long time to get all the pee out
Sometimes a boy may feel burning when peeing and, rarely, may see a drop of blood
in his underwear.
How Is Meatal Stenosis Diagnosed?
A health care professional will ask about symptoms and do an exam. If possible,
the health care professional may watch a boy pee to see the direction of the stream.
Usually, no other testing is needed.
How Is Meatal Stenosis Treated?
The treatment for meatal stenosis is called a meatoplasty(mee-AT-uh-plas-tee). This simple procedure makes the opening of the meatus
bigger. It's done by a
, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems with the
urinary system.
Meatoplasty (also called meatotomy) fixes meatal stenosis for
most boys. Simple home care will help your son heal after a meatoplasty. Talk to your
health care professional if you have any questions.
Go to all follow-up visits with the urologist as recommended.
