If you keep getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) and don’t know why, you should consider seeing a urologist. Some people with frequent UTIs or urinary incontinence have a condition called urethral diverticulum (UD). Although this condition is rare, it’s also treatable—and you’ll find the treatments you need at Emory Healthcare. Our urologists are skilled at distinguishing UD from other conditions. They also offer treatments so you can live your life free from embarrassing or unpleasant symptoms.
Urethral Diverticulum
Helping You Overcome Urethral Diverticulum
About Urethral Diverticulum
Urethral diverticulum is a condition that affects the urethra. Your urethra is the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the toilet.
With UD, a small pouch or sac develops inside the urethra. When you urinate, the pouch fills with urine. Bacteria may grow within this pouch and the urine trapped inside it, causing a UTI.
Although anyone can develop UD, it usually occurs in women of middle age.
Urethral Diverticulum Symptoms
Urethral diverticulum has some of the same symptoms as other urologic conditions, including urinary incontinence. These symptoms include:
- Blood in your urine
- Feeling a frequent, urgent need to pee
- Frequent UTIs that keep coming back after treatment
- Pain during sex
- Pain while urinating
- Urine leakage even after you’ve emptied your bladder
We know these symptoms can be frustrating and disruptive. Fortunately, Emory Healthcare’s urologists can help you get them under control—so you can get back to your favorite activities.
Urethral Diverticulum Treatment
If your symptoms are mild, you and your urologist may choose to take a wait-and-see approach. This means we’ll monitor your condition and make sure it’s not impacting your urinary tract health.
For UD that’s severe or gets worse, the most effective treatment is surgery. If your urologist recommends surgery, they’ll probably use one of the following approaches:
- Removing the pouch (or pouches) and reconstructing the urethra
- Creating a permanent opening that allows urine to drain from the pouch into (and through) your vagina
The technique your surgeon chooses will depend on several factors. These factors include the size of the UD and where in your urethra it’s located.
Urology Conditions
Urology Treatments
Why Choose Emory Healthcare To Treat Urethral Diverticulum
Whether you’re concerned about your frequent UTIs or want more information about UD surgery, turn to Emory Healthcare. We offer:
- Unmatched experience. Since UD is rare—and has the same symptoms as other, more common conditions—it’s often misdiagnosed. This means some patients receive ineffective treatments. Here at Emory Healthcare, our urologists have seen many people with this condition. Thanks to their experience, they know when to look for UD and how to diagnose it. This helps ensure you receive the right treatment, right away.
- Skilled surgeons. If you need UD surgery, you shouldn’t trust your care to just anyone. It takes a highly experienced surgeon to operate inside the urethra without damaging it. Fortunately, Emory Healthcare’s urologists perform this type of surgery regularly. Why does this matter? Studies show that surgeons who perform a high number of procedures every year usually have better outcomes.
- Research-driven care. Our urologists are also researchers who study conditions such as UD. We improve how we diagnose and treat conditions like UD by investigating why they occur and who’s likely to get them.
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