Some men find it difficult to urinate in the presence of other men. They cannot urinate in a public toilet if anyone else is there. The muscles that control urination tighten up, stopping the flow. This is called ‘parauresis’ (pronounced par-YOU-ree-sis) or ‘bashful bladder syndrome’. According to doctors in the armed forces – who know about servicemen living in open barracks – it is quite common and possibly 1 in 10 men is affected. It can be distressing, because it can limit your activities if you are unable to urinate away from home. And some people worry that others might assume they are gay because they are spending so long at the urinal. One study found that 60% of men with bashful bladder felt ashamed, and most tried to conceal the problem; 25% had not told their partners, 44.4% had not told their families and 58.7% concealed it from their friends (Actas Urológicas Españolas 2007;31:328-37). Hiding the problem can itself be a source of stress, particularly if you are in a close relationship.
What causes ‘bashful bladder’?
There is nothing physically wrong. It does not mean that there is anything amiss with your bladder or urethra. No one knows what causes it, but it seems to be an exaggeration of something that most men experience slightly. Research has shown that when a stranger is nearby, most men take slightly longer to start their urine flow, and pass urine for a shorter length of time.
A doctor writing in the medical journal the Lancet (1999;354:78) has a suggestion about the cause of bashful bladder. He points out that many male mammals mark their territory by urinating to leave their scent. He wonders if modern men with the problem are subconsciously thinking ‘If I urinate in this other male’s presence, I am asserting my supremacy over his territory – am I really ready to challenge this male to a fight’, and this prevents them from urinating
Info Code: URITTHSS12
