Skip to main content
Go to homepage

Print Page

Meatal Stenosis

What Is Meatal Stenosis?

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 catheter (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 urologist , 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.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor if your son:

  • has pain when peeing
  • is finding it harder to pee
  • can't pee

Reviewed by: T. Ernesto Figueroa, MD
Date Reviewed: Mar 11, 2019

Lea este articulo en Español

What next?

Summit Mall Play Area
Answer Key:
Click to expand
There are 10 nurses in the picture.

And we have many more pediatric primary care providers in Northeast Ohio. You can meet some of them here.
Summit Mall Play Area
Answer Key:
Click to expand
The five differences are:
– Phone color
– Coat pocket
– Stethoscope earpiece color
– Stethoscope bell dot
– Clipboard paper color

Need help finding a doctor, choosing a location or getting a general question about Akron Children's answered? Call us or fill out the form and we'll help in any way we can.
Summit Mall Play Area
Answer Key:
Click to expand
The two matching doctors are 9 and 14.

With virtual visits, you can see our pediatric experts from the comfort of home or wherever you are.
Summit Mall Play Area
Answer Key:
Click to expand
The correct path:
The Correct Path
We offer many ways to get pediatric care all over Northeast Ohio. Use this page to find the right kind of care and the most convenient location for you.