Epidemiology & Risk Factors
- Sex: Primarily males (female urethral stricture is rare).
- Iatrogenic: Urethral instrumentation (e.g., cystoscopy, transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]), prolonged indwelling Foley catheterization.
- Trauma: Straddle injury (crushes bulbar urethra against pubic arch), pelvic fractures (shears membranous/posterior urethra).
- Infectious/Inflammatory: Gonococcal urethritis, lichen sclerosus (balanitis xerotica obliterans).
- Idiopathic: Up to 30% of cases.