URETHRAL DIVERTICULUM

A urethral diverticulum is a condition that can cause genitourinary symptoms including urinary urgency, frequency, leakage of urine, discharge from the urethra and/or discomfort with intercourse. They can also be present without any symptoms. Surgery to remove these lesions can be performed for symptomatic patients.

About Urethral Diverticulum

A urethral diverticulum is an outpouching of urethral tissue into the surrounding area. When present some women may notice a small bump or bulge below the urethra, the opening where you urinate from. Overall, this is an uncommon condition that is typically found in people aged 30–50 years.

This can cause a variety of symptoms including the following:

  • Painful urination
  • Dribbling of urine
  • Painful intercourse
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Pelvic pain
  • Urinary leakage
  • Urinary urgency
  • Urinary frequency
  • Vaginal or urethral discharge (thick yellow or white drainage)
  • Vaginal bulge

 

Urethral diverticulum can be caused by recurrent infections, previous pelvic surgeries, and in very rare cases can be present at birth. These lesions may also be present without any symptoms.

URETHRAL DIVERTICULUM

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis often involves a pelvic exam by a health care provider and imaging (i.e., MRI, ultrasonography). You will be referred to a specialist, such as a urogynecologist or urologist, who may perform a cystoscopy to further examine the lesion.

TREATMENTS

Treatment usually involves surgery. Your doctor may give you antibiotics before your surgery if there is concern for an active infection. After surgery your doctor may keep a bladder catheter in place to help with your recovery. If there are no symptoms or concern for cancer, a urethral diverticulum can be closely watched and may not require surgery. Delay in diagnosis of urethral diverticulum and treatment can lead to recurrent urinary tract infections, stone formation, and more rarely, cancer.

EMFEMME 360 (FDA-Cleared)

Non-Surgical Radiofrequency Treatment
EMFEMME 360 is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency to deliver gentle heat to the vaginal and pelvic tissues. This process promotes collagen remodelling, enhances circulation, and supports tissue tone, improving both pelvic floor strength and overall vaginal health. EMFEMME 360 is ideal for women looking to address pelvic discomfort and urinary control without surgery or downtime.

EMSELLA (FDA-Cleared)

Non-Invasive Pelvic Floor Treatment
Emsella is an FDA-cleared treatment that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to stimulate deep pelvic floor muscle contractions. Each session is equivalent to doing thousands of Kegel exercises in just 30 minutes. It’s an effective, non-invasive solution for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), helping to restore muscle strength and improve bladder control. Many women experience improvement after a series of treatments, with no downtime and comfortable, fully clothed sessions.

Sumana Koduri, MD Urogynecology

THREE TAKEAWAYS

  1. Urethral diverticulum can cause a variety of genitourinary symptoms.
  2. You may need imaging for a complete evaluation.
  3. Surgery to remove these lesions is the most common treatment when symptoms are bothersome

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