Normal Bladder Emptying
Emptying your bladder is something you do many times every day right?
How often should I empty my bladder?
The number of bladder empties is on average 8 times per day depending on your fluid intake.
You should feel the urge at or near bladder volume capacity (approximately every 3–4 h based on volume of liquid consumed).
Normal bladder capacity in adults ranges from approximately 300 to 400 mL
There should be 1 or fewer bladder empties per night.
Smaller volumes with increased frequency suggest a problem. (Source)
Lets focus on your bladder and how it works
What is your bladder?
Your bladder is a flexible bag of muscle.
Your bladder is located at the front of your lower belly near the pubic area and pubic bone.
It gets sterile urine from the kidneys via two tubes (ureters.)
Your bladder stores urine it gets from the kidney by stretching, like a balloon.
The bladder is different from a balloon in that the walls are made of muscle.
It has two main roles; to store and eject urine.
Your bladder is located at the front of your lower belly near the pubic area and pubic bone.
It gets sterile urine from the kidneys via two tubes (ureters.)
Your bladder stores urine it gets from the kidney by stretching, like a balloon.
The bladder is different from a balloon in that the walls are made of muscle.
It has two main roles; to store and eject urine.
Bladder Stores Urine
When it is in storage mode it slowly stretches and expands upwards so it can be felt above the pubic line.
As your bladder muscle relaxes and stretches the sensors in the bladder wall will trigger a signal to a nerve up via your spine to your brain.
As your bladder muscle relaxes and stretches the sensors in the bladder wall will trigger a signal to a nerve up via your spine to your brain.
That nerve will signal that it is time to go to the toilet.
Bladder Ejects Urine
When convenient you can start the bladder empty.
When your bladder empties it does so by the walls contracting.
The urine passes through your outlet pipe (AKA your urethra)
Your urethra passes through your pelvic floor muscles.
When your bladder empties it does so by the walls contracting.
The urine passes through your outlet pipe (AKA your urethra)
Your urethra passes through your pelvic floor muscles.
Your urethra meets the outside of your body at your penis.
Have you ever stopped to think if you are doing it the “Normal” or “right way?”
What is the normal way to empty your bladder?
Bladder animation videos
How do we Pee? (Watch 1 min 27 secs)
How do we Pee? (9 min 30 secs)
So how do I empty my bladder?
To start the flow you open your urethra by relaxing your local muscles.
These local muscles include your pelvic floor muscles.
Your bladder wall contracts and pushes out your urine.
Normally you just stand still, relax your belly and pelvic floor muscles, do diaphragmatic breathing and wait until it empties.
So when you empty your bladder, your bladder does ALL the work.
So you just relax your pelvic floor muscles to allow your urine to easily pass through your open urethra.
Normally there is no pressure, rocking, breath alteration or pushing required.
At the end of the empty you wait a few seconds then your local muscles tighten up.
Your bladder wall contracts and pushes out your urine.
Normally you just stand still, relax your belly and pelvic floor muscles, do diaphragmatic breathing and wait until it empties.
So when you empty your bladder, your bladder does ALL the work.
So you just relax your pelvic floor muscles to allow your urine to easily pass through your open urethra.
Normally there is no pressure, rocking, breath alteration or pushing required.
At the end of the empty you wait a few seconds then your local muscles tighten up.
What do I do if I am not emptying properly?
A double void is used to improve bladder emptying.
A double void just means going twice.
Here is how to double void.
Once the urine has finished flowing and you wait for the drops to finish.
Then you move away from the toilet.
Roll your hips and jiggle your body around for no more that 5 seconds.
Then try again and repeat the emptying technique.
Wait no more than 10 seconds for a second flow
What do I do if I dribble after emptying?
You could try milking your penis after emtpying.
- Contract your pelvic floor strongly after the flow has finished.
- Place your 3 middle fingers behind your testicles and press upwards and forwards towards you penis.
- You could try to lean forward a little to tip all the urine out.