Urology - Blog

Urethrography: what it’s for and how it’s performed

Find out what urethrography is, when it’s recommended, how it’s performed and what precautions to take.

By Joaquim Chaves Saúde

2025-08-07

4 min of reading

Related Tags

Urology

Difficulty urinating, poor flow, painful urination, bladder pressure. These symptoms are more common than you might think, and often leave those who experience them without clear answers. When routine tests don’t explain this discomfort, it’s natural to feel frustrated and anxious.

It is precisely for these cases that urethrography may be recommended. This exam enables a detailed study of the lower urinary tract, helping identify alterations in the urethra and bladder. More than a diagnosis, urethrography is an important step to find the right treatment and relieve symptoms.

In this article, we explain the purpose of urethrography, how it’s performed, what types there are and what precautions to take before and after the exam.

What is urethrography?

Urethrography is a diagnostic imaging exam that allows detailed examination of the urethra and bladder – crucial structures in the process of urine elimination.

This exam assesses the natural flow of urine from the bladder to outside the body. Therefore, it is able to identify anatomical or functional changes that may be causing symptoms such as painful urination, difficulty urinating or frequent urinary tract infections.

This exam is safe and often requested as part of a more comprehensive urological assessment. The procedure involves the use of a radiocontrast agent, allowing an accurate diagnosis and appropriate clinical follow-up.

What is urethrography for?

Urethrography is an essential exam to clarify symptoms and guide clinical decisions with confidence and accuracy.

Identifies changes in the urethra

Urethrography enables changes in the urethra to be detected, such as stenoses (strictures), obstructions or lesions, which can cause symptoms such as pain or difficulty urinating. By precisely showing the flow of urine from the bladder to outside the body, this exam facilitates the diagnosis of changes that often go undetected in other exams.
Evaluates bladder and urinary function

Urethrography enables an evaluation of how the bladder fills and empties, which is crucial to identify situations such as vesicoureteral reflux (when urine flows backward to the kidneys) or changes in bladder contraction, which may cause urine leakage or a feeling of incomplete emptying.
Post-traumatic or post-operative study

This exam is frequently used to evaluate the urinary tract following injuries, urological surgery or accidents. In these cases, urethrography allows the detection of anatomical changes or damage, which is essential to provide thorough and personalized follow-up.
Diagnoses congenital anomalies

In children or teens, this exam can help identify defects that affect urinary function, which enables early diagnosis and more effective treatment.

What are the types of urethrography?

Urethrography can be performed two ways, depending on the examination needs. Both types follow similar principals, but they have slightly different purposes.

Retrograde urethrography

In this type of exam, the contrast agent is introduced directly into the urethra, allowing examination of the urinary tract to the bladder. This is especially useful to assess strictures (stenoses) or injuries in the urethra, and is often used for cases of trauma or difficulty urinating.

Micturating cystourethrography

In this exam, the contrast agent is introduced into the bladder. Next, the patient is asked to urinate while images are taken. This type of urethrography is normally used to analyse bladder function and how urine flows through the urethra during miction, and it is especially common to study urinary reflux, especially in children.

How is the exam performed?

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our team, who will explain all the steps clearly and calmly. You may be asked to empty your bladder before the exam begins. Next, you will be taken to the examination room, where you will find a completely private and attentive environment.

Once you are lying down, a small probe is carefully inserted into the urethra, which will be used to administer the contrast agent (a liquid that is visible in the images). This process may cause some temporary discomfort, but it is usually painless. The entire procedure is performed by experienced professionals who are dedicated to your comfort and wellbeing.

Next, X-ray images are taken while the bladder is filled with the contrast agent. The exam proceeds at each person’s pace, ensuring the greatest possible comfort.

At the end, the probe is removed and you can resume your regular activities on the same day. It’s normal to feel a slight burning sensation when urinating in the hours after the exam, but this symptom usually disappears quickly. In case of doubts or unusual symptoms, our team is always ready to provide support.

What are the limitations of urethrography?

Urethrography is a highly useful and informative exam but, as with any medical exam, it also has some limitations.

Does not show changes outside the lower urinary tract

This exam focuses solely on the urethra and bladder. Therefore, it does not allow evaluation of the kidneys or ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder). If there is any suspicion of changes in these structures, complementary exams may be necessary, such as ultrasound or CT scans.
May not detect subtle functional changes

Although urethrography is excellent for examining the bladder’s anatomy and function during miction, it may not identify subtle functional changes, such as minor bladder instability or neurological changes in urinary control. In these cases, other tests, such as urodynamics, may be more suitable.
Requires collaboration during the exam

During micturating cystourethrography, the patient must be able to urinate during the exam. For some people, especially children or those suffering from anxiety, this can be challenging. Our team is always ready to help with empathy and adapt the process to each person’s needs. However, in certain situations, it may be necessary to repeat the exam or resort to diagnostic alternatives.

What precautions should be taken before and after urethrography?

In most cases, no fasting or special preparation is required. However, it is important to take some precautions:

Follow medical instructions: If there are specific recommendations, such as suspending medication or taking antibiotics preventively, you should follow them carefully.

Empty your bladder before the exam: You may be asked to urinate before the exam to facilitate the procedure.

Inform of any allergies or pregnancy: If you have any known allergies, especially to contrast agents or iodine, or if you are or suspect you may be pregnant, inform us ahead of time.

Urethrography at Joaquim Chaves Saúde

If you have been experiencing persistent urinary symptoms or your physician recommended a more thorough assessment, urethrography can be a crucial step to provide a better understanding of the situation.

At Joaquim Chaves Saúde, we perform this exam with the highest technical precision, in an environment designed for your comfort and peace of mind. Our team is ready to provide support, answer all your questions and guarantee you feel safe every step of the way.

Talk to us and schedule your consultation or exam. We’re here to take care of you.

Clinical Team

We have a team of doctors and health professionals, specialists in various areas, available to give you the support you need.

Medic
Gil Falcão
Speciality/Service
Urology
Key areas of expertise
Oncology (prostate, kidney, bladder, testicular and penile cancer), Lithiasis (kidney and urethral stones), Andrology (erectile dysfunction, infertility, premature ejaculation), Functional (prostate complaints, incontinence, infections)
Healthcare Units
Clínica Cirúrgica de Carcavelos
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