The pee shivers

Also known as post-micturation convulsion syndrome, the phenomenon of "pee shivers" results from the interaction of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, as Dr. Stephen Juan of the Register explains:

The [phenomenon of pee shivers] is an example of the human body's autonomic nervous system (ANS) at work.

We are not conscious of the ANS. It runs on automatic, hence its name, "autonomic", which literally means "self controlling, working independently". The urination reflex is relayed through the ANS. The reflex is directly related in strength to the amount of stretch of the bladder. Thus, the degree of shivering is generally related to how full the bladder is at the time of urination.

The ANS has two divisions. One is the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and the other is the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).

The SNS tends to keep the bladder relaxed and the urethral sphincter contracted. This is why one does not have an "accident" while one is concentrating on something else. It is true to say that the more "desperate" one becomes in response to a bulging bladder, the more the SNS acts to keep you dry.

The SNS response includes the release by the brain of chemicals doadrenal medulla catacholamines epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine to bring about the necessary body reactions. When the opportunity arises to allow the parasympathetic side of the ANS to take over, the change in catacholamine production probably causes of the shivering. . . .

In any case, at the moment of urination, there is a slight blood pressure rise and a momentary flushing or euphoria shortly after relaxing the urethral sphincter. Some find this feeling pleasurable. At such moments, some people say "ah". This same response in its most extreme forms causes fainting. All of this is the ANS doing its job.

Comments

[ken]

I'll have to check on the etymology of "shiver me timbers" now...

[joated]

Thanks for the picture. Now if you'll excuse me whilst I go to the john....

[UnforGiven]

Now that I know it's possible to faint while peeing, I'm sure it will happen to me in a public place, ahhh! boom! thanks a lot!

[Walter Stonewall Vaan Allen]

It's also known as 'Post Micturition Convulsion Syndrome'. And it's spelled catEcholamine, not catacholamine.

[gail]

Walter, that would be the Register's call. Maybe they have a different spelling in the UK. Ditto with micturation vs. micturition.

[Gibby Haynes]

I assumed it had something to do with the loss of the heat stored in the wee-wee.

[s1mplex]

...[T]here is a slight blood pressure rise and a momentary flushing or euphoria shortly after relaxing the urethral sphincter. Some find this feeling pleasurable.

Indeed. From personal experience, I can tell you that this effect (post-micturation convulsion) can be exacerbated under certain physiological conditions.

After taking a medication for several months that caused polyuria (excessive urination) as a side effect, I found that going pee-pee had all of a sudden become a nearly orgasmic experience!

Of course, the polyuria itself was pretty annoying, so an adjustment in dosage put an end to all the, um, fun.

[gail]

That medication might just end up being the next fad in college. Like Ecstasy but while peeing.

[Yourin Ate]

The best things in life are free... ahhhhh.

[AngelEyesGBU]

I had only one bad experience with this effect, but it was a doozy. I had just donated blood on an afternoon when I'd not had much to eat that day. The ANS effect described above caused me to pass out, not once, but twice. Waking up on the floor looking at the ceiling of a public restroom isn't the worst thing in the world, but it's not the best.

Fortunately I was alone in there...

[Andrea]

I was always wondering but it never come to idea to ask, thank you enlightening me, thank ТРЕНДО as well, for linking to this blog.
Thank You...