Sensation in the urethra during voiding studied in young healthy men

Main Article Content

Jean Jacques Wyndaele
Sigrid Van de Borne
Michel Wyndaele
Stefan De Wachter

Keywords

urethra, sensation, voiding, healthy, men

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluate sensation in the urethra during voiding and the possible role of visual and audible impulses, in young healthy men.

Methods: In 10 healthy volunteers, 2 non-invasive uroflowmetries were done at desire to void and sensations felt during voiding were evaluated by questionnaire. Influence of  visual and audible input was studied by performing a uroflowmetry  while wearing blindfold eye patches and ear cups + earplugs.

Results: All  participants reported sensation of start of voiding, all but one of voiding stop. All felt clearly urine passage in the urethra  and 8 had a sensation of warmth in the urethra. Visual and audible blocking gave lowering in grades of sensation. To start voiding took a significantly longer time. It became difficult for some men  to determine accurately when the flow stopped.

Conclusions: Voiding elicited different types of sensation in the urethra in healthy young men. The sensation was independent of the uroflowmetry parameters. Blocking visual and audible signals influenced the sensory and voiding process.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...
Abstract 93 | HTML Downloads 31 PDF Downloads 39

References

1. Schäfer W, Abrams P, Liao L, Mattiasson A, Pesce F et al (2002) Good urodynamic practices: uroflowmetry, filling cystometry, and pressure-flow studies. NUU 21:261-274.
2. Wyndaele JJ (1998) The normal pattern of perception of bladder filling during cystometry studied in 38 young healthy volunteers. J Urol. 160:479-481.
3. Tanagho EA, Miller ER, Meyers FH, Corbett RK (1966). Observations on the dynamics of the bladder neck. Br J Urol. 38:72-84.
4. Nathan PW, Smith MC (1951) The centripetal pathway from the bladder and urethra within the spinal cord. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat 14: 262-280.
5. Nathan PW (1956) Sensations associated with micturition. Br J Urol. 28:126-131.
6. ShafikA, Shafik AA, El-Sibai O, Ahmed I (2003) Role of positive urethrovesical feedback in vesical evacuation. The concept of a second micturition reflex: the urethrovesical reflex. World J Urol 21:167-170.
7. Peters HJ (1979) Innervation der Blase. Anatomie und Physiologie der Blase. In: Stöhrer M , editor . Urologie bei Ruckenmark-verletzten. Berlin, Springer. pp 9-12.
8. Talaat M (1937) Afferent impulses in the nerves supplying the urinary bladder. J Physiol 89:1-13
9. Birder L, De Wachter S, Gillespie J, Wyndaele JJ (2014). Urethral sensation : basic mechanisms and clinical expressions. Int J Urol 21 suppl 1: 13-16.
10. George NJR, Dixon JS (1986) Sensory Disorders of the Bladder and Urethra.. Berlin: Springer, p 8
11. Dixon JS, Gosling JA (1983) Histology and fine structure of the muscularis mucosae of the human urinary bladder. J Anat. 136:265-271.
12. Todd JR (1964). Afferent impulses in the pudendal nerves of the cat. Q J Exp Physiol Cogn Med Sci. 49:258-267.
13. Nathan PW (1952) Thermal sensations in the bladder. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 15: 150–151.
14. Wyndaele JJ (1993) Is impaired perception of bladder filling during cystometry a sign of neuropathy. Br J Uro¬l 71, 270-273.

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.