Post-micturition convulsion syndrome 2872723 223277006 2008-07-03T10:56:03Z 60.234.219.204 Removed the paraphrased quote from a comedian. '''Post-micturition convulsion syndrome''', also known as '''piss shivers''' or '''pee shivers''' is a phenomenon in which one feels a [[shiver]] running down the spine following [[urination]].<ref name="straightdope">{{cite news | url = http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_225.html | title = What causes "piss shiver" | work = [[The Straight Dope]] | date = 1994-07-22 }}</ref> The shiver can produce a brief twitch, which is a form of [[myoclonus]]. It should not be confused with [[post-micturition syncope]], a feeling of faintness following passing urine. To date, despite years of discussion and theorizing, there is no agreed-on explanation of the phenomenon<ref name=netwell>[http://netwellness.com/question.cfm/25261.htm Post-micturition convulsion syndrome]</ref> and no medical research into it. However, it has been mentioned occasionally in columns, and in one Internet poll, where about 83% of males and 58% of females reported experiencing it. By 6 Jul 2007, more than 24,000 males and more than 1,200 females had responded to the poll on the syndrome. ==Hypotheses== {{Citations missing|date=December 2007}} *Shivering occurs because of activation of the [[parasympathetic nervous system]] (PNS) by [[sympathetic nervous system]] (SNS) activity involved with urination. It is the SNS which acts to control [[urinary bladder|bladder]] function; it makes sure that the bladder is relaxed and that the urethral sphincter is contracted. Part of the SNS response causes the [[brain]] to produce a number of chemicals, including the [[catecholamine]]s [[epinephrine]], [[norepinephrine]], and [[dopamine]]. These chemicals act on the PNS which normally controls shivering. If this theory is correct, the feeling should be as common in females as in males, but it is far more common in males. *Shivering occurs because of heat loss from the body parts usually covered by clothing. If this theory is correct, the feeling should be more common in cold climates. This is unknown. *Shivering occurs via passage of spermatozoa into the urinary canal. If this theory is correct, the feeling should be absent in females, but a majority of females report it. ==See also== '''[[Spine-tingling]]''' ==References== <references /> ==External links== *[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_225.html What causes "piss shiver"?] ''[[The Straight Dope]]'' *[http://www.theregister.com/2006/09/01/the_odd_body_wee_shiver/ "Why do you sometimes shiver when you wee?"] ''[[The Register]]'' [[Category:Reflexes]] [[Category:Urology]] [[Category:Excretion]] [[zh:尿震]]