POST-VOID DRIBBLING

A not uncommon complaint among men is that after finishing voiding, upon replacement of the penis in the pants and underwear, that a small amount of leakage occurs.  These few drops of urine known as "post-void dribbling" are rarely a sign of significant problems and are almost never addressed with medicine or surgery.

Behavior techniques associated with the end of voiding can often correct bad habits which lead to post-voiding dribbling.  In general, the bad habits consist of urinating through a penis that has been drawn through underwear and an open zipper, rushing the termination of voiding and straining at the end. 

Voiding should be performed through a penis that is not encumbered by clothing compressing and/or distorting the penis as it hangs off the body.  Many times if the penis is drawn through tight fitting clothing, the urethra takes on a compressed "U" shaped tube where urine will pool at the end of voiding, to be released  when the penis is replaced in the pants and underwear assuming a more dependent position.  The trapped urine, held behind the compression of the zipper of the pants and fly of the underwear rolls out of the penis by gravity.  To avoid this problem, whenever possible, pull down both pants and underwear, or at minimum, make sure that the penis is unencumbered by clothing during the act of voiding. 

When the urinary stream comes to a natural end, avoid straining to push the urine out of the bladder.  As humans we develop a natural reflex that tightens the sphincter when we strain.  This allows us to remain dry when we pick up heavy objects, cough, laugh or sneeze.  When one strains in an attempt to empty the bladder, the urinary sphincters close, acting against our goal of an empty bladder.  Once the straining is stopped and the penis is returned to the pants, the relaxation that occurs in the sphincter can sometimes allow a small amount of urine to dribble out.  To avoid this problem at the end of voiding, relax and make a conscious effort to soften the muscles of the pelvis and lower abdomen.  This act of relaxation will translate into preventing a tightening of the sphincter. 

At the end of voiding, avoid rushing to reinsert the penis and exit the bathroom.  Take your time once the urinary flow is completed.  Take a deep breath, exhale and let the penis assume a dependent position, do not hurry the end of voiding, as this will subconsciously trigger closure of the urinary sphincter, perhaps in a premature fashion, only to be relaxed once the penis is returned to the pants and underwear.

As you can read, there is no magic pill or operation to solve this common and annoying problem of post-voiding dribbling.  It will take a re-education on you part to become mindful of breaking end-of-voiding habits.