Prevalence and Bother of Postvoid Dribbling and Urine Spraying or Splitting: Survey of a General Gynecology Population

Importance: Postvoid dribbling is described well for men in urologic literature but is poorly defined for women, especially in those not presenting for urogynecologic care. Objective: The objective was to assess prevalence and bother of postvoid dribbling, urine spraying (ie, deviation of the urine stream), and other bothersome voiding/storage symptoms in a general gynecology population. Study Design: This was an anonymous cross-sectional survey study of women presenting to academic general gynecology practices for benign gynecologic care or well-woman visits; patients were not presenting for urinary incontinence or voiding dysfunction. A questionnaire was used to assess the presence and perceptions of voiding behavior and urinary symptoms with an emphasis on postvoid dribbling and urine spraying. The questionnaire included both the validated Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis and nonvalidated questions. Results: Nonpregnant adult women (N = 355) were surveyed. The median age was 43 years (interquartile range, 33-51 years). The sample was 45% White, 23% Black, 3% Asian, and 13% other. Furthermore, 39% were Latina; 68%, parous; and 28%, postmenopausal. The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of immediate postvoid dribbling was 186 of 327 or 57% (51-62%), and of these, it was at least somewhat bothersome in 37% but moderately-to-quite-a-bit bothersome in 8%. Urine spraying occurred in 222 of 333 or 67% (61-72%), and of these, it was at least somewhat bothersome in 53% but moderately-to-quite-a-bit bothersome in 17%. Approximately 20% reported stress and/or urgency urinary incontinence; both postvoid dribbling and urine spraying were highly associated with these symptoms. Conclusions: This study of women seeking benign gynecologic care shows a high prevalence of postvoid dribbling and urine spraying symptoms. However, moderate-or-greater bother was relatively uncommon.