Post micturition dribble or PMD is an involuntary loss of urine a short time after the main voiding has been completed. It is a phenomenon that many men will have experienced, particularly as they get older.

In some instances, it may merely be rushing urination and not finishing the process properly. But, for others, it is a regular and embarrassing occurrence.

Whilst most men can experience 'terminal dribble'at the end of urination, PMD is noticeably different because of the delay in occurrence. Invariably, the problem tends to occur the moment your clothing has been rearranged and you are about to leave the toilet. Some men even report that gentle shaking to remove the drops is insufficient. A few drips of urine will still push themselves out of the urethra and wet your underwear or trousers.

Research has shown that it is not due to the exertion of redressing or to bladder dysfunction but is caused by a failure of the bulbocavernosus muscle to contract after micturition. This muscle partially surrounds the tube that takes urine away from the bladder (the urethra) and what is known as the urethrocavernosus reflex squeezes the urine out of that part of the urethra.

This failure to function properly means that a small amount of urine remains unvoided, waiting to leak out the moment you start moving. There are many reasons for this malfunction - prostate surgery, constipation, persistent coughing, weight problems, frequent heavy lifting, neurological conditions and a weakened pelvic floor.

The pelvic diaphragm (or Pubococcygeus muscle) runs like a sling between your legs from the base of the spine to the pubic bone and is just like any other muscle. It will weaken through lack of use if it is not exercised.

What the experts do agree on is that the most effective method of controlling post micturition drip is through improving the strength of the pelvic floor by regular kegel and pelvic floor exercises.

Notable improvements have been achieved by showing sufferers how to perform one or two strong pelvic floor contractions immediately after they have completed micturition. It is thought that this may help to expel the trapped urine from the bulbar urethra and, done regularly, will restore the urethrocavernosus reflex sufficiently to minimise the embarrassing symptoms of after-dribble.

To achieve the best results, in addition to tightening your pelvic floor after you have emptied your bladder, you need to incorporate a daily routine of strong contractions to improve muscle control. These strong contractions will develop the pelvic floor so that it can control any leakage if there is any sudden involuntary expansive movement, like a sneeze or cough. These muscles also need to be trained for endurance - to allow them to retain the urine and prevent leakage before you reach the toilet. This can be done whilst walking by squeezing and raising the Pubococcygeus muscle gently.

For the strength (or maximal) contractions, stand in front of a mirror with your feet apart and then tighten the muscles around your anus as if you were trying to avoid breaking wind. You will be aware that your genitals rise upwards slightly. Without tensing your thighs or butt cheeks, hold that contraction as strongly as you can for ten seconds. Make sure you keep breathing normally.

Contract these muscles strongly and hold for ten seconds three times in both the morning and evening.

As an aside, because the bulbocavernosus muscle is largely responsible for not only the complete evacuation of urine, but also penile rigidity and ejaculation of semen, any dysfunction may also cause a loss of the reflex required to produce enough force to ejaculate properly.

This is why experts are looking at links between post-micturition dribble and erectile dysfunction.

Where there is no other neurological problem, kegel and pelvic floor exercises may help to alleviate these distressing conditions.

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Keira Benson is passionate about helping men and women to improve the health of their pelvic floor. For more information on post micturition drip, please visit: http://kegelandpelvicfloorexercises.com For help and advice on neuromuscular stimulators, go to: http://tightenmyvagina.info