Micturition syncope


Micturition syncope or post-micturition syncope is the name given to the human phenomenon of fainting shortly after or during urination. The underlying cause is not fully understood but it may be a result of vasovagal response, postural hypotension, or a combination thereof.
People often become pale, lightheaded, nauseated, sweaty and weak before they lose consciousness. Sometimes defecating, coughing, or severe vomiting may cause fainting in a similar way.

Causes

When one strains to increase the flow of urine, it stimulates the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve stimulus causes slowing down of the heart and a drop in blood pressure. The heart cannot perform effectively as a pump because insufficient blood comes to it. It can be associated with a very rare tumor known as a paraprostatic pheochromocytoma within the urinary bladder.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for micturition syncope. General advice to men with micturition syncope includes:
Responsible for 2.4 to 8.4 percent of all cases of fainting in adults, it most commonly occurs in males. The events often occur at night or after awaking.