Urinary dribbling Weak flow of urine at the beginning, at the end or after urination

Urinary dribbling is divided into three major types, depending on when the symptom is noticed.

Sometimes the patient has an uncomfortable dribble before the actual urination, in the context of initial hesitation, which is usually followed by a weak urinary stream.

Terminal dribble is yet another form, which consists of a dribble of urine at the end of urination, but while the patient is still in the toilet or urinal.

Initial hesitation and terminal dribble may bother the patient as they are responsible for prolonging the time spent in the bathroom and because they may lead to splashing (in the case of the man, who urinates standing up) or wetting thighs (in the case of women).

Post-voiding dribble happens after the patient has left the toilet and is already dressed - this is probably the form of urinary dribble that has the greatest impact on quality of life, given that it may cause the patient to wet his underwear, chronically. In this perspective, it constitutes, in essence, a specific form of urinary incontinence.

The diagnosis of these symptoms is essentially clinical and treatment is usually aimed at improving the emptying of the bladder.