Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published March 8, 2024, Last updated March 8, 2024

Urethral Stricture is a narrowing down or blockage in the urethra. Scar tissue forms in the urethra, which is a kind of a tube. This scar tissue obstructs the flow of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra. The following homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture are very effective-

1. Cantharis
2. Clematis
3. Staphysagria
4. Nitric Acid
5. Pulsatilla

   Before we come to the indications suggesting the use of these homeopathic remedies in the treatment of urethral strictures, let us understand the problem a little better.

What is a Urethra?

Urethra is a narrow tube that carries away urine from the urinary bladder. Its main job is to excrete urine out of the body in males and females. In males, it also helps ejaculate semen. The urethra is shorter in females as compared to that in males. This means that urine has to travel a slightly longer distance from the urinary bladder to the tip of urethra in case of males. Perhaps, it is for this very reason that the incidence of urethral strictures is more in males than females.

What is a Urethral Stricture?

The urethral tube is wide enough to allow urine to pass through it. When the urethra narrows down, either due to stricture or spasm or frequent infections, urine may not pass through easily. Scar tissue forms within the urethral tube and restricts the flow of urine. This is what a urethral stricture is. As I have mentioned earlier, urethral strictures are more common in men than women.

What are the causes of Urethral Stricture?

A stricture can occur at any point in the urethra. Scar tissue forming anywhere in the urethral tube leads to narrowing of the urethra. The most common causes of urethral stricture are as follows-

1. Trauma or injury to the urethral tube can cause stricture. This trauma may result from any foreign body or an injury.
2. A surgical or medical procedure like catheterization or endoscopy can cause damage to the urethra and lead to scar formation.
3. Prostate surgery or any other such procedure can also lead to stricture.
4. Removal of kidney stones can damage the urethral tube as the stone tends to cause lacerations in the inner side of urethra while passing out.
5. Urinary infections or sexually transmitted infections can also cause scar tissue to form.

What are the symptoms of Urethral Stricture?

The common symptoms that arise from the presence of a urethral stricture are as follows –

1. There is resistance to the outflow of urine. This means that the flow is retarded and the stream of urine is narrow, slow or less forceful. At times the flow starts and stops. In extreme cases, the flow may stop completely.
2. One has to strain to urinate. The patient has to make efforts to void the urinary bladder. Often, he or she feels that the urine is remaining in the bladder even after urinating.
3. Incontinence or inability to control urine may also be present in some cases.
4. There may be pain while urinating. This pain may be burning or stinging in character.
5. Swelling in the penis may occur due to inflammation and infection.
6. Prostatitis may occur in some patients as bacteria get more than enough time to grow in residual urine. This infection travels from the bladder to the urethra and prostate.
7. Hydronephrosis may also occur in some cases though it is not common. This refers to the collection of urine in the kidneys as the bladder is unable to void urine completely. In extreme cases, it may even lead to kidney failure.

Homeopathic treatment of Urethral Stricture

Although it may seem like a difficult task to treat a urethral stricture, the fact is that Homeopathy is well placed to treat it. At the end of the day, the scar tissue that is giving rise to the blockage needs to dissolve for the urine to flow normally. Homeopathy has a number of medicines which can help in doing this.

5 Best Homeopathic medicines for Urethral Stricture

The following 5 homeopathic medicines have proved themselves well in the treatment of urethral strictures. This does not in any way mean that only these 5 medicines are available to treat strictures. There are many more medicines which are worthy. It is just that these 5 medicines come into use more frequently and give very good results.

1. Cantharis – One of the best homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture with burning

2. Clematis – One of the best homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture with interrupted stream

3. Staphysagria – One of the best homeopathic remedies for urethral stricture with burning when not urinating

4. Nitric Acid – One of the best homeopathic medicines for urinary stricture with offensive urine

5. Pulsatilla – One of the best homeopathic remedies for stricture with pain in bladder after urinating

I am giving a few indications which help in prescribing these medicines in each individual case. These indications are just initial pointers to the remedies and one needs to study the case in detail before prescribing a medicine to any patient. Still, the prominent symptoms of these medicines are as follows-

1. Cantharis – One of the best homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture with burning

When there is constant burning in the urethra along with frequent desire to urinate, Cantharis is one of the best homeopathic remedies for urethral stricture. There is even cutting pain before, during and after urination. The urine may be jelly like and shreddy.

2. Clematis – One of the best homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture with interrupted stream

When the stream of urine is like an interrupted stream, Clematis is one of the best homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture. There may be tingling in urethra lasting for quite some time after urinating. The urethra feels constricted. Urine passes drop by drop. There is pain in urethra passing along the spermatic cord, which is worse at night.

3. Staphysagria – One of the best homeopathic remedies for urethral stricture with burning when not urinating

When there is burning in the urethra when the patient is not urinating, Staphysagria is one of the best homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture. There is a sensation as if a drop were rolling continuously along the urethra. A pressure remains on the urinary bladder as if it is full or has not completely voided.

4. Nitric Acid – One of the best homeopathic medicines for urinary stricture with offensive urine

When there is offensive smell in the urine, Nitric Acid is one of the best homeopathic medicines for urinary stricture. The urine smells like urine of horse. It is often dark in colour and scanty in quantity. A feeling of coldness in the urethra persists.

5. Pulsatilla – One of the best homeopathic medicines for stricture with pain in bladder after urinating

When there is pain in bladder after urinating, Pulsatilla is one of the best homeopathic medicines for urethral stricture. There is pain which travels from abdomen to testicles. The pain in urethra is worse on lying on back.