BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
Have you ever felt a sudden shiver or strange thrill right after urinating? You’re not alone, and no, it’s not just your body being dramatic.
This odd but harmless sensation is known as a “pee shiver” or medically as “post-micturition shiver.”
It’s a mysterious reflex that often feels like a tickle down your spine, sometimes described as a mix of joy and surprise.
Experts say the sensation happens due to a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when you urinate.
When the body releases urine, it triggers a change in the autonomic nervous system, particularly the sympathetic nervous system, which may lead to the release of neurotransmitters that cause a shiver.
Interestingly, studies suggest that men experience pee shivers more frequently than women, although the exact reason remains unclear.
A 2008 study published in the Urology Journal proposed that this shivering might be part of the body’s way of regulating temperature or simply a physical response to changes in posture during urination.
The phenomenon is not dangerous and doesn’t indicate a health problem. In fact, it’s completely normal.
So, the next time your body surprises you with a chill after a trip to the bathroom, just know, it’s science, not magic.
And yes, even without a romantic partner, your nervous system can still make you feel a little thrill.
