Dribbling of Urine

Pelvis | Urology | Dribbling of Urine (Symptom)


Description

Urine is formed in the kidneys through a filtration of blood. It leaves the body through a thin tube called the urethra (a long thin tube in the male, short, thin tube in females). The conditions that block or hinder the urine out of bladder, or weaken the muscle tone will result in the accumulation of urine.

Once the bladder is full, the urine simply overflows (unless the urine is completely blocked), and small amounts to escape without the person being able to contain or hold.

Causes

Aging is a prime cause of muscular weakening for both men and women, but giving birth and going through menopause increase the likelihood of women losing some control over their pelvic muscles that could lead to leaking. In case of men, the gland, which surrounds the urethra below the bladder like a doughnut, grows as a man ages. If the enlargement is otherwise benign and not great enough to cause a significant obstruction, the prostate squeezes on the urethra only lightly, compensating for any loss in pelvic muscle tone that could lead to leaking.

Inflammation of the gland, called prostatitis, can produce a discharge that could be mistaken for dribbling. It will also cause a burning sensation upon urination and a frequent need to go to the bathroom. The bacterial infection that results in prostatitis can hit men at any age, but younger men are especially prone to the problem.

Women have an additional concern that can lead to dribbling. Sometimes a small pocket, called a diverticulum, forms on the walls of the female urethra. This pocket can collect some urine that later drips out. The diverticulum often remains completely harmless. But if the dribbling becomes excessive or if the pocket enlarges, breaks or becomes infected, the diverticulum may have to be surgically removed.

Leaking urine may be also associated with a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia is a disease that can cause urination drip. Besides drip urination, other symptoms of BPH include weak urination, urinary obstruction, urinary urgency, urinary leakage, urinary dribbling, difficulty starting urination, unsteady urine stream, and frequent urination. ...