If a stricture is not treated, the increased strain on the bladder can weaken the bladder muscle. The combination of a narrowed urethra and a weakened bladder can lead to several serious problems:

• Urine Retention—Inability pass urine
• Urinary Incontinence—Involuntary loss of urine
• Reflux—Urine backing up into the kidney
• Kidney Failure—The kidney no longer excretes urine or functions normally
• Damage to Bladder Muscles—The bladder muscles can become permanently weakened