Why do I Leak after Peeing?
A more common question than many people realize. Post-Void Dribbling (or more formally Post-Micturition Dribbling) occurs when you leak urine after urinating. Basically you sit down to empty your bladder, then you stand up and you pee or void a little bit. Or if you are a guy you urinate, you think you have emptied your bladder, and still a little bit more dribbles out after you think you are done.
Functionally, when you stand up, there is a little bit of urine left in the urethra, which empties as you stand and gravity takes over. You weren't able to fully relax your pelvic floor muscles and completely void. (If you have pinched a straw with water in it and let go, a similar thing is happening).
Treatment for Leaking Urine after Urination
If you are leaking urine after urinating, a common recommendation is double voiding. Double voiding just means you void and then you try to push out a little more urine. However, it may be the case that your pelvic floor muscles are too tight and that you're not actually fully emptying. In this case, pushing harder or more is not going to lead to get more urine out because you pelvic floor is too tight. So, even with double voiding leaking after you pee can still occur.
Who Treats Post Void Dribbling?
This is probably a case where you should go see your pelvic floor physical therapist, especially if you are trying to double void. A Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist is going to make sure you can fully empty your bladder and that you can fully let go of those pelvic floor muscles, so that you can stop leaking after you void.
Just like it's important to do a strong Kegel, or pelvic floor muscle contraction, it's just as important that you know how to let go of that contraction. If you are in a constant contraction you are not able to fully void. Talk to a Physical Therapist about how you can Love your Life!
-Dr. Lauren Collier Peterson, PT, DPT
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers of Oklahoma City provides pelvic floor physical therapy in Lakeside, The Village, Nichols Hills and surrounding NW Oklahoma City. Our pelvic floor physical therapists are specially trained to treat all types of pelvic floor dysfunction including incontinence in men and women. Our practitioners take a patient-centered individualized approach that focuses on your pelvic health needs. If you are unsure about your pelvic health, or you want to see the FYZICAL Difference for yourself, schedule a free consultation today.
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