Some men experience dripping a few drops of urine into their underwear after urinating. Although many avoid discussing this issue with doctors, this urine leakage is not just minor discomfort but a symptom of an underlying condition. This raises the question: could it be a sign of prostate cancer?
According to doctors, this problem was previously more common in older people, but now it is also seen in men aged 30 to 40. Often, patients seek help only when symptoms become more pronounced, leading to prolonged treatment.
Dr. Vaibhav Tiwari from the nephrology department at Sar Gangram Hospital explained in an interview with Aajtak.in that urine exits through the urethra—the tube leading out of the body. Sometimes a small amount of urine remains in this tube after urination. When a person leaves the toilet, walks, or puts on clothes, this residual urine leaks out in drops. This phenomenon is called post-micturition dribbling. The main cause of this is the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which prevents the residual urine from completely exiting the urethra.
Furthermore, Dr. Vaibhav noted that this problem can also arise due to prostate enlargement. As a person ages, the male hormone dihydrotestosterone affects the prostate, causing its cells to grow. The risk of this condition is higher in individuals with obesity, diabetes, and unhealthy lifestyles. Although this problem was previously characteristic of old age, cases are now being reported among men aged 30 to 50.
Dr. Rohit Kapoor from the oncology department at Max Hospital stated in an interview with Aajtak.in that there is no direct link between urine leakage or prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. If drops appear only occasionally and there are no other problems, it may be normal post-micturition dribbling, and there is no need to worry. However, a doctor's consultation is necessary if signs such as difficulty starting urination, weak urine stream, frequent or sudden urges to urinate, the need to wake up at night to urinate, or unexplained weight loss are observed.
To prevent this condition, it is recommended to pause for a few seconds after urinating and not rush to get dressed. Pelvic floor exercises are also beneficial for some men. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consulting a doctor upon the appearance of any symptoms is crucial.