Post Micturition Dribbling

Overview of Post Micturition Dribbling

Post micturition dribble (PMD), is a condition where men involuntarily experience urine leakage shortly after excreting. This is more commonly found in men than women and does not occur due to exertion or from stress triggers. Urine dribbling can be an uncomfortable condition, without any other physical symptoms.

Prevalence 

The overall prevalence of Post Micturition Dribbling is found to be more in men (11.8%) than in women (8.5%). Studies also show that as men age, the problem of Urine Dribbling increases in men.

Signs and Symptoms of Post Micturition Dribbling

If you are losing more frequently than you should then you must consult with a doctor immediately. Other times, urine dribbling symptoms can be controlled or triggered by some causes. Here are few signs to look for some types of urine dribbling; 

  • Stress Incontinence - whenever there is an external pressure such as exercising, laughing, coughing, or lifting, you are likely to leak a bit of urine. 
  • Functional Incontinence - any physical or mental impairment that results in urine leakage before you get a chance to release yourself. 
  • Urge Incontinence - there is a sudden rushed urge to release yourself, followed by involuntary urine leakage. This can be due to some other minor intervention such as underlying infection, diabetes or any neurological disorder. 

Types of Post Micturition Dribbling

Causes of Post Micturition Dribbling

PMD is not a chronic condition, but it still stems from weak pelvic floor muscles. Having a weak pelvic floor can be caused by many reasons. Some of the most prominent reasons for a weak pelvic floor are; 

  • Having an enlarged prostate 
  • Straining and exhausting the activity to empty the bowels
  • Having constant constipation 
  • Having a smoker’s cough or chronically coughing all the time 
  • Being overweight 
  • Having an accident or genetic neurological or spinal damage 
  • Doing persistent heavy building 
  • Had a prostatectomy (more found in older men)

Some other persistent physical causes can be due to other physical changes in the body such as; 

 

  • Pregnancy and childbirth (hormonal changes and increased weight during the pregnancy can cause stress incontinence in women)
  • Loose bladder control after vaginal childbirth. This can also lead to a prolapsed pelvic floor that will further weaken the muscles
  • Enlarged prostate in older men also known as prostatic hyperplasia is one of the prevalent causes of persistent urine dribbling 
  • Menopause in women 
  • Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke in the brain, or damage in the spinal region can lead to loss of bladder and urine control
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Risk Factors of Post Micturition Dribbling

Some factors that can increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence or dribbling may include; 

  • Gender 
  • Age 
  • Being obese or overweight 
  • Being a chain smoker 
  • Family / genetic history 
  • Neurological diseases or diabetes 

Some common complications of chronic urine dribbling include; 

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Prevention

Urine dribbling happens almost to everyone and is not always preventable. However, you can decrease your risk by doing the following things; 

  • Maintain a very healthy weight
  • Regular pelvic floor exercises 
  • Consume bladder-friendly foods 
  • Increase your intake of fiber 
  • Avoid or delay smoking for as long as you can 
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Diagnosis

Treatment of Post Micturition Dribbling | When to Consult a Doctor

Treatment for urine dribbling depends on what kind of urine incontinence a person experiences. A combination of different treatments can be used for dealing with urine dribbling.  Your doctor may recommend behavioral, pelvic, and medication-based treatment. 

Behavioral Techniques

  • Bladder training 
  • Trying to fully empty your bladder 
  • Scheduled toilet trips 
  • Manage your diet and fluid intake 

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises 

 Try to learn how you can perform some pelvic floor exercises while sitting or doing a complete set at home. On how to safely and fully do pelvic floor exercises, you can read more about them here

Medications 

In cases, where urine dribbling becomes chronic and uncontrollable, doctors will prescribe few medications to treat incontinence; 

  • Anticholinergics 
  • Mirabegron 
  • Alpha blockers 
  • Using topical oestrogen 

Doctors also suggest electrical stimulation and medical devices to control urine leakage. Some other interventional therapies include things like; 

  • Nerve stimulators 
  • Bulking material injections 
  • Injections of botox 
  • Intervention of surgery 
  • Absorbent pads and catheters 

Your condition can be best diagnosed and treated by your primary healthcare doctor. If you are experiencing this for the first time, you can reach out to a doctor you can trust your diagnosis and treatment with Healthwire. Healthwire has a panel of trustworthy doctors, urologists, and andrologists with expertise in urine dribbling and related conditions for years.