Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Post micturition dribble in women

I have found very little information on the net about post micturition dribble in women - all the articles seem to relate to men.

How common is this specific problem in women, or is it always lumped together with general urinary incontinence?

I am aged 66 and have suffered from very mild stress incontinence since the birth of my three children, but in the last few years I have also developed a very annoying post micturition dribble.

It took me a long time to figure out what this was, as for a couple of years I thought it was just a worsening of my stress incontinence. I eventually worked out that I was dribbling after I thought I had completed emptying my bladder.

That is, I would finish urinating - the stream had stopped completely - but when I stood up and pulled up my knickers they would suddenly be wet.

I have learned to manage this by holding a wad of toilet paper to my urethral opening before I stand up, and then standing and waiting for a minute or so until the dribble stops. If I do this my underwear remains dry, but if I hurry the process too much I still get wet pants.

Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone know the cause of it?

My doctor has scheduled me for a cystoscopy, which involves passing a narrow camera into my bladder to see if there are any problems there. I am not AT ALL keen on underdoing this procedure and am not sure whether I should have it or not.

I should add that I have always done my pelvic floor exercises ever since my first baby was born (she is now 45!) and my doctor has commented that my pelvic floor muscles are very strong, so I don't think this is the problem.

Help! I feel very confused about this and about what I should do.
11 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Have you done any heavy lifting, have prolapse in your family or have other problems such as a constant cough or chronic constipation?  There are other reasons as well for urine leakage and prolapses as well than having had children.
I know a lady who also has not had children but had leakage due to having done heavy lifting for some time.

The treatments are the same whether you have had children or not.

I hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same problem, but I'm 33 and have never had children :(
Helpful - 0
1128665 tn?1269273471
A urodynamic test is  one that is frequently done, I'm going to send you a PM (private message) that explains the basic tests typically done. I'm guessing that because you have a strong pelvic floor, they want to dig a bit deeper to find cause of leakage. Since you are consulting with a urygyn, just ask straight up what they are looking for and why the need for cystoscopy. You have a right to know and if they can't give you a reason that makes sense to you, it's your choice to pass on that test. Never let yourself be talked into tests that you feel are unnecessary.
Sher
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, Sherie

I actually did go to a urogynecology clinic - it was in fact a urogynecologist who checked my pelvic floor muscles and suggested I have the cystoscopy.

She didn't mention the vaginal wall prolapse - it was my GP who commented on that and then referred me to the UG clinic.

So I'm still not sure whether to have the cystoscopy or not. Can't see the point of looking inside my bladder if the problem is a cystocele (whatever that is) in the urethra.

Cheers, TeresaMary

Cheers,. TeresaMary

Helpful - 0
1128665 tn?1269273471
Ya, this came through just fine! So sorry for any confusion in posting, vagina would not be filtered out-anthing related to health concerns comes through just fine.

I'm glad to hear none of the traditional symptoms fit, that's a good sign. Front wall of vagina indicates cystocele (bladder prolapse) and may be the cause of leakage. Sometimes as estrogen levels drop it impacts the strength and integrity of muscle tisse-all muscles both internal and external. Although you've always maintained a strong pelvic floor, it could be estrogen shift that is making things weaker and since you've had some leakage since birth of children, now a cystocele is occurring.

I think it would be a good idea to consult with a urogyn to clarify cause of leakage; since they are the best educated in all pelvic floor concerns, this type dr will be able to tell if shifting of organs/tissues creating pressure are causing problems. Some physicians will do an MRI; cystoscopy is a pretty common procedure but I urge you to voice your concerns with the dr about this test and if there is a way around in it in your paticular situation, maybe you'll be able to avoid it.

Let me know how things turn out!
Sher
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear Sherri

Okay, here goes, This my THIRD attempt to answer the questions you asked.

First of all, you asked how my doctor knew I had strong pelvic floor muscles. She was doing an internal exam and after she removed the speculum she inserted her index finger into my vagina and asked me to 'pull up' or tighten my pelvic floor muscles. When I did so, she commented that I did it very strongly. (She also commented that a lot of women have no idea how to do this.)

Next, you asked me to check your list of symptoms of POP. I did that, and I don't have any of these symptoms.

I do have slight stress incontinence - i.e. a slight bladder leakage when I sneeze or cough - and have had this since the birth of my three children 40-odd years ago. I do NOT have any urge incontinence or any other urinary problems.

One of my doctors also said that I had a slight prolapse on the front wall of my vagina, and I wonder if this could be connected to my post-micturition dribble? I.e. could my urethra somehow be 'folding' into this weakness of the vaginal wall, so that a small reservoir of urine sits there and does not drain away until I stand up?

As I said in my original post, my main concern is about having a cystoscopy. I really would prefer not to have this unless it is REALLY, REALLY necessary.

What do you think?

Regards

TeresaMary
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi again, Sherrie

I just wondered -  does this site censor explicit language? I did use the word 'vagina' in my post, could that be the problem? I don't see how you can discuss female problems without using that word!

Cheers again

Teresa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear Sherrie

As per your suggestion, I posted a second detailed reply to your questions and I definitely made sure I clicked on 'Post Comment' when I had finished. I did this yesterday.

However it doesn't appear in this thread ... what is going on? Am I doing something else wrong?
Helpful - 0
1128665 tn?1269273471
Normally if a post grabs it s/b visable on your home page; I checked there  hon and don't see it. I'm afraid you will probably have to redo it. You have to make sure to hit "post comment" prior to going to a different page or it won't grab.
Sher
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear sherrieP

I posted a detailed response to your queries above a couple of days ago, but it hasn't appeared in this thread and I don't know how to find it ... help!

TeresaMary
Helpful - 0
1128665 tn?1269273471
How did your physician determine that your pelvic floor muscles are very strong? Often as we get beyond 50 we start to experience the full impact of childbirth. During 2nd stage labor, the babies head compresses on the nerves of the pelvic cavity; the damage of crushing of these nerves often does not display itself until many years later when other factors compound the issue. Loss of estrogen impacts muscle tissue strength, integrity,  and density. Even when we supplement with estrogen, we still are impacted.

First up, take a look at the post  below to see if you have any other symptoms of POP-there are 5 types and the dynamic for every woman is a bit unique. Incontinence is almost always related to pelvic floor weakness/damage when there isn't specific disease or accident damage involved. If you do feel some of the symptoms/causes fit, I highly recommend you seek counsel with a urogynecologist; in general most physicians don't address POP in the depth it should be.

It's great that you've done Kegels all along, that puts you ahead of the curve, but as the nerve/tissue damage starts to become more pronounced, sometimes that is not enough to keep things in balance. We also often become a bit "lazy" with our Kegel technique-it's vital that Kegels are done correctly and consistently. Once you've had a chance to review the article, shoot me additional questions you may have. Also I'm going to have this post transferred over to my new POP forum.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pelvic-Organ-Prolapse-POP/LETS-TAKE-PELVIC-ORGAN-PROLAPSE-OUT-OF-THE-CLOSET/show/1531725

Sher
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Community

Top Women's Health Answerers
Avatar universal
United Kingdom
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.