Why does a man have split ends when peeing?

Male urinary bifurcation may be caused by physiological or pathological factors. Common causes include residual urethral secretions, prostatic hyperplasia, urethral stricture, urethral stones, urethritis, etc. Bifurcated urination can be improved by adjusting urinating posture, medication, surgery, etc.

1. Remaining urethral secretions

When you wake up in the morning or do not urinate for a long time, a small amount of semen or prostatic fluid may remain in the urethra, causing temporary urination bifurcation. This situation is a normal physiological phenomenon and does not require special treatment. The bifurcation symptoms will disappear on their own after urination. Just pay attention to keeping your perineum clean every day and avoid holding in your urine.

2. Prostatic hyperplasia

In middle-aged and elderly men, the enlarged prostate compresses the urethra, which may cause the urine stream to become thin or bifurcated. It may be related to changes in androgen levels, imbalance of cell proliferation and other factors, and is often accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urination and increased nocturia. Tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, finasteride tablets and other drugs can be used as directed by the doctor. In severe cases, transurethral resection of the prostate is required.

3. Urethral stricture

Trauma to the urethra, recurrent infection, or iatrogenic injury may lead to scarring strictures of the urethra. When urinating, the urine flow will bifurcate through the narrow area, which is often accompanied by labored urination and thinning of the urine line. Mild strictures can be treated with urethral dilation, while severe strictures require urethroplasty.

4. Urethral stones

Stones in the urethra may block the normal discharge of urine, causing it to branch or interrupt. Stones are mostly caused by the downward movement of kidney stones, often causing sudden pain on urination and hematuria. Smaller stones can be expelled by drinking more water. Larger stones require urethroscopic lithotomy. Levofloxacin tablets are needed to fight infection when there is a combined infection.

5. Urethritis

Urethritis caused by gonococcal or chlamydial infection may cause urethral mucosal edema and bifurcation during urination. It is often accompanied by urethral tingling and purulent discharge, and urine culture is required to identify the pathogen. Antibiotics such as cefixime dispersible tablets and azithromycin tablets can be used as directed by the doctor. Sexual intercourse is prohibited during treatment.

It is recommended that men drink more than 2,000 ml of water every day and avoid sitting for long periods of time and eating spicy foods. If bifurcated urination persists or is accompanied by pain, hematuria and other symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention from a urology department. Men over 50 years old are recommended to have prostate-specific antigen tests every year, and those with a history of urethritis need to have routine urine tests reviewed regularly.