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Post-micturition dribble is a lower urinary tract symptom that can affect men of all ages, but is predominantly found in older patients. Following voiding, a residue of urine becomes trapped and pooled inside the bulbar urethra and begins to drain down the urethra. Men will often try to control or prevent the dribbling by placing absorbent materials down their trousers, not realising that they can obtain advice on other courses of action from continence advisers. This article outlines and explains post-micturition dribble, its causes and treatment.
Keywords
Bulbar urethral massage; Post-micturition dribble; Urinary system and disorders
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POST-MICTURITION DRIBBLE is the leaking of urine at the end of normal voiding. It is mostly found in male patients, but is independent of urethral stricture or bladder outflow obstruction. This leakage of urine is the result of urine becoming 'trapped' and 'pooled' inside the bulbar urethra following micturition ( Abrams et al 2002), which seconds later drains by gravity and body movement. Wille et al (2000) describe post-micturition dribble as being neither stress dependent nor due to bladder dysfunction. Post-micturition dribble is one of the signs of lower urinary tract symptoms but, as Wille et al (2000) state, it is also independent of prostate changes.
Post-micturition dribble predominantly affects men aged 50 years or older, but it can also occur in younger males and females. Peters et al ( 1997), in a study of 1,250 men with lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia, found that post-micturition dribble was present in 67% of males. However, postmicturition dribble can occasionally occur in women with physical disabilities who cannot sit upright on the toilet, or those with deformities of the genitalia where urine occasionally pools in the vagina while voiding (Pomfret 2003a). Men with a diagnosed urethral stricture, prostate enlargement or congenital diverticuli who have post-micturition dribble may benefit from surgery (Paterson et al 1997).
For the patient, post-micturition dribble becomes a nuisance, an embarrassment and a stressful condition. Patients...