A split urinary stream is when the urine flow splits and goes in two directions. A split stream of urine is usually a sign of an issue with the bladder or the urethra. A split urine stream can also result from a condition called prostatitis. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland in males.
A hesitating start when urinating, a need to strain, a weak and trickling stream of urine, and dribbling at the end of urination are common symptoms of a partially obstructed urethra. In men, these symptoms are caused most commonly by an enlarged prostate. The prostate gland enlarges as men age.
Frequent or persistent split urine stream is usually an indication of an underlying problem in the urethra or in the bladder. Common causes of persistent split urine stream are meatal stenosis, urethral stricture, and an enlarged prostate.
On its own, a weak urine stream may not be cause for concern, but if it's accompanied by other symptoms, it could be an indication of a more serious medical issue. Urinary hesitancy could be an issue if you also experience: Chills and/or fever. Vomiting.
Call your provider if you notice urinary hesitancy, dribbling, or a weak urine stream. Call your provider right away if: You have a fever, vomiting, side or back pain, shaking chills, or are passing little urine for 1 to 2 days.
Urologic Conditions That Can Cause An Abnormal Urine Flow
Meatal stenosis – Meatal stenosis is a narrowing of the external opening of the urethra, and can cause a high-pressure, deviated, or splayed urinary stream. Often, difficulty aiming the stream into the toilet after toilet training is a sign of meatal stenosis.
When passing urine (peeing), try to stop or slow mid-stream. Do not do this more than once a week as it can increase your risk of urinary tract infection.
You are probably not drinking a sufficient amount of water. Once you become dehydrated your urine gets concentrated and can look cloudy instead of clear. If you drink lots of coffee or carbonated soft drinks, the caffeine can make the same sort of cloudiness occur.
During normal urination, the initial urine stream starts slowly. But it speeds up until the bladder is nearly empty. The urine flow then slows again until the bladder is empty. In people with a urinary tract blockage, this pattern of flow is changed, and increases and decreases more slowly.
Even waiting a moment and shaking the penis before zipping up won't stop it. The medical term for this is post-micturition dribbling. It's common in older men because the muscles surrounding the urethra — the long tube in the penis that allows urine to pass out of the body — don't squeeze as hard as they once did.
Activities like walking, jogging, and swimming can help reduce urinary problems. Do Kegel exercises. Stand at or sit on the toilet and contract the muscle that allows you to stop and start the flow of pee. Hold it for 5 to 10 seconds.
You can feel your pelvic floor muscles if you try to stop the flow of urine when you go to the toilet. It's not recommended that you regularly stop the flow of urine midstream as it can be harmful to your bladder.
Symptoms of slow urine flow
You may have slow urine flow if you have a slow urine stream. If you have slow urine flow or another lower urinary tract problem, you may dribble of urine after you finish urinating, wake up multiple times a night to pee, or feel lower abdominal discomfort.
Healthy urine is usually a pale to medium yellow color, it's clear, and has a subtle pee odor. These characteristics tell you that you're drinking enough water, and nothing is visibly abnormal.
Symptoms of a urethral stricture
Normally, the first symptom is a reduced urine flow and straining to pass urine. Spraying of urine or a 'double stream' can occur. Dribbling of urine for a while after the main flow of urine has finished. Frequency sometimes occurs (needing to pass urine more often than normal).
When your kidneys are failing, a high concentration and accumulation of substances lead to brown, red, or purple urine. Studies suggest the urine color is due to abnormal protein or sugar as well as high numbers of cellular casts and red and white blood cells.
In men, urinary incontinence can be caused by a weak urinary sphincter that may result from surgery for prostate cancer, an overactive bladder, or a bladder that doesn't contract. Kegel exercises can help you improve -- or in some cases completely regain -- bladder control.
Dark brown urine could indicate liver failure. Cola- or tea-colored urine could indicate inflammation of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis). Orange hued urine can also indicate a problem with the liver or bile duct. Greenish or cloudy urine may be symptomatic of a urinary tract infection.
Practice "double voiding" by urinating as much as possible, relaxing for a few moments, and then urinating again. Try to relax before you urinate. Tension from worrying about your symptoms can make them worse.
Contract your pelvic floor muscle by imagining that you are stopping the flow of urine. You should be able to feel a squeezing and lifting sensation around your finger. If, after performing these self-exams, you were able to see and feel your muscles contracting, congratulations!
Drink enough fluids, especially water.
In general, drink enough fluids so that you need to urinate every few hours. Some people need to drink less water because of certain conditions, such as kidney failure or heart disease.
Drinking water or another low-sugar liquid while attempting to pee may also trigger the body to urinate. People may need to drink several sips before trying to pee in order to get this technique to work. Drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol is not recommended, as they can make a person more dehydrated.
As fluid intake increases, the amount of urine made will increase along with it. Because the bladder can only hold so much fluid volume, increasing water intake will increase the frequency of urination, and may make people with an overactive bladder more likely to leak.