Are you leaving the restroom only to find spots of urine on your underwear or pants? You’re not alone. Many men have this condition, called post-micturition dribble. But knowing you’re in good company doesn’t solve the problem.
At Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia, our team of board-certified urologists helps diagnose and address many types of urinary issues, including dribbling after urination in men. Keep reading to learn what might be causing you to dribble and how we can help.
What causes dribbling after urination?
Post-micturition dribble (PMD) is different from urine you can shake out from the penis while still at the toilet or urinal, and it’s not the same as dribbles or leaks that may occur from stress on the bladder, like when you lift something heavy or cough unexpectedly.
PMD results from urine that’s left in the curve of the urethra. This curve is located behind the base of the penis, and the dribbling typically occurs after you’ve already left the restroom, leading to wet pants and embarrassment.
This condition is often caused by two conditions: weakening of the pelvic floor muscles or an enlarged prostate. Note that it’s possible to have both an enlarged prostate and a weak pelvic floor.
Weak pelvic floor
Your pelvic floor muscles surround the urethra, and there are many things that can lead to a weak pelvic floor. Some of the factors that can weaken these muscles include:
- Surgery for enlarged prostate
- Chronic coughing (e.g., COPD)
- Being overweight
- Continual strain when moving the bowels
You may also weaken your pelvic floor by working in a field that requires lots of heavy lifting on a consistent basis.
Enlarged prostate
Your prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut. It surrounds the top of the urethra, and its role is to make fluids produced during ejaculation.
The prostate begins growing in your mid-20s and continues to grow for the rest of your life. When the prostate gets so big that it causes problematic symptoms, you may be diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These symptoms can include dribbling after urination.
What can help me stop dribbling after urinating?
If you’re experiencing PMD, it’s important to seek medical care for an accurate diagnosis and to rule out a more serious condition. The team at Urological Associates creates a personalized treatment plan for each patient, and the modalities recommended depend on the cause of your PMD. These may include:
- Managing fluid intake
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- Losing weight
- Kegel exercises
- Medications
For men with BPH, your provider may recommend a treatment called the UroLift, which holds the prostate away from the urethra. This reduces the pressure on your urethra and can help eliminate dribbling and other issues with urination. In some cases, your provider may recommend surgery to treat BPH.
Don’t wait to seek help for dribbling after urination. Contact the experts at Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia, to schedule an appointment by calling 434-295-0184 or book online at your convenience.