What is a urethral dilation?
- During a urethral dilation, the doctor will slowly stretch the inside the urethra, the tube that exits the bladder.
- This may be performed to help with repeated urinary tract infections, pain in the urethra, or other conditions.
- This procedure may need to be repeated at times.
What Will Happen?
- Be sure to eat a small meal prior to your appointment.
- It is nice to bring a driver with you, but it is not mandatory.
- The nurse will drain your bladder and apply an anesthetic gel to the bladder opening.
- Your will then wait for 20 minutes to be sure the urethra is completely numb.
- Dilators will be inserted into the urethra, starting with a small thin one, and slowly progressing to a wider one.
- The procedure usually takes only 5-10 minutes.
- At the end of the procedure, your bladder is drained again for your comfort.
- You may return to normal activities right away.
- It is common to see some pink, red, or brown fluid in the urine; be sure to drink plenty of fluids to flush out the bladder.
- You may also use Azo, Pyridium, or Uribel as you may have burning with urination for a short time after the procedure.
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