Pelvic Health Matters w/ Dr. Katrina Heath, DPT – Post-Void Dribbling and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Have you ever finished urinating, wiped, and then noticed more urine leaking out right after? This is called post-void dribbling. It usually happens because the bladder isn’t completely emptied. A small amount of urine stays behind, and when your body shifts—such as moving from sitting to standing—the urethra relaxes and that leftover urine escapes. This can feel frustrating but it is very common for both men and women.

So, what can you do?

1. Sit fully and relax. Don’t rush when using the bathroom. If your pelvic floor muscles are tense, your bladder cannot fully empty.
2. Practice double voiding. After you finish urinating, gently lean forward and backward or even stand up and sit back down, then try to release again. This helps any remaining urine come out.
3. Focus on relaxation. The pelvic floor must release completely for proper bladder emptying.

These small changes often reduce dribbling and make trips to the bathroom less stressful. If you continue to notice post-void dribbling, a pelvic floor physical therapist can assess your muscle function and help you retrain your bladder for better control.

Katrina Heath, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) LKNConnect’s newest expert contributor. With over 23 years of experience in pelvic health physical therapy, Dr. Heath has served patients across North Carolina, Michigan, and New Jersey. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her time at Atrium Health and Penn Medicine, where she helped launch a pediatric pelvic floor program. We’re excited for her to share expert insight and wellness tips with our Lake Norman community— Mondays on LKNConnect!

Dr. Katrina Heath – Mobile Physical Therapist

Contact Information

Phone: 704-412-2001

Email:  [email protected]

Learn More About Pelvic Health Matters.