Are you leaving your restroom only to find the dribbling effect of urine splash spots all over the toilet seat? And are you leaving urine on your underwear or pants? If so, know that you’re not alone.
Many men have this condition; it is called the post-micturition dribble. Here are some of the reasons and related issues and recommended remedies.
What leads to dribbling after urination?
The dribbling of urination (post-micturition dribble (PMD) is distinct from the regular urine flow that you can shake off. It also differs from dribbles or leaks resulting from bladder stress, such as lifting heavy objects or coughing unexpectedly. PMD occurs when urine remains in the curve of the urethra, located behind the base of the penis. Another reason for dribbling is often linked to two main factors: weakened pelvic floor muscles, an enlarged prostate, or both.
Weak pelvic floor: The pelvic floor muscles surround the urethra, and various factors can lead to their weakening, including:
- Surgery for enlarged prostate.
- Chronic coughing (e.g., COPD)
- Being overweight
- Straining during bowel movements
- Engaging in a profession involving frequent heavy lifting.
Enlarged prostate: The prostate, about the size of a walnut, surrounds the top of the urethra and produces fluids during ejaculation. It begins growing in your mid-20s and continues to enlarge throughout life. When it becomes large enough to cause problematic symptoms, it is diagnosed as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which may include dribbling after urination.
How can I stop dribbling after urinating?
The recommended modalities depend on the underlying cause of your PMD and may involve:
- Treating urinary incontinence
- Lifestyle changes such as losing weight and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol.
- Pelvic floor exercises, where you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by squeezing them.
- Bladder training, where you learn ways to wait longer between needing to urinate and passing urine.
- For men with BPH, your provider may suggest a treatment called Uroliths, which holds the prostate away from the urethra, reducing pressure and helping to eliminate dribbling and other urination issues. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to treat BPH.
What can be the significant hygiene problems with urine dribble?
- Urine dribble can contaminate toilet seats, creating an unsanitary and unhygienic environment for the next user, especially for women who need to sit on the seat. Contaminated toilet seats may spread germs and bacteria, potentially leading to urinary tract infections and other health issues.
- The presence of urine on toilet seats or around the toilet bowl can produce unpleasant odors, making the restroom uncomfortable for others. Even after cleaning, the smell may linger, affecting the overall hygiene and comfort of the facility.
- Urine contains bacteria and pathogens that can survive outside the body. When left on toilet surfaces, urine dribble provides an environment for these microorganisms to multiply and spread, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
- Dried urine stains and dribble can be challenging to clean thoroughly, accumulating germs and making it difficult to maintain proper restroom hygiene despite regular cleaning.
- In public restrooms where multiple people use the same facilities, urine dribble poses significant public health concerns. It heightens the risk of transmitting infections and contributes to the overall uncleanliness of the restroom environment.
- A poorly maintained restroom with visible urine dribble can create a negative impression of the establishment, whether it's a public facility, workplace, or someone's home. It reflects poorly on the overall cleanliness and hygiene standards of the place.
To address the hygiene problems caused by urine dribbling in toilets, men should take measures to control dribbling and ensure proper cleanliness after urination. This includes using toilet paper or wipes to wipe the area, aiming carefully during urination, and, if necessary, sitting down to urinate. Additionally, regularly and thoroughly cleaning toilet facilities is crucial to maintain a hygienic environment for all users.
Using A Urinal Toilet Attachment
Another more practical suitable solution is installing a True Toilet. These seats are made of durable ABS plastic, ergonomically designed specifically to prevent urine spills for whatever reasons and offer on-target aiming. We have found that the True Toilet seats are easy to clean, odor-resistant, and allow for nighttime urination without disturbing sleep by eliminating the need to turn on lights. The bottom line to True Toilet’s seat is that it provides a long-lasting solution for individuals with all sorts of dribbling-related problems because it can easily collect pre/post or during urination and urine spills. It reduces the risk of urine dribbling spills, improving comfort and hygiene.
In conclusion, several remedies are available to address dribbling after urination, including urinary incontinence, depending on the underlying cause. These may include treating urinary incontinence, making lifestyle changes like weight loss and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, performing pelvic floor exercises, and having bladder training to wait longer between urinating. The hygiene problems associated with urine dribble cause can be significant, including contamination of toilet seats, unpleasant odors, and the spread of bacteria and pathogens. Regular and thorough cleaning of toilet facilities is vital to maintain a hygienic environment for all users.
Installing a True Toilet seat is a practical and suitable solution to prevent urine spills due to dribble, improving comfort and hygiene.