Why do we get the chills right after peeing?

Answer 1

When in doubt, ask Cecil.
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What causes "piss shiver"?

22-Jul-1994

Dear Cecil:

What causes a person to shiver uncontrollably following urination (i.e., "piss shiver")? My friends and I have wrestled with this for years even to the point of consulting medical authorities (they didn't know either). We currently have two theories. One is the Rapid Heat Loss Theory which states that an uncontrollable shiver passes over the body following the rapid loss of several ounces of 98.6 degree liquid. This theory seems to have good face validity but as far as we can tell females do not experience piss shiver, which puts a hole in that idea. Our second theory is the Mini-Orgasm Theory, which states that a man's penis is used for two major activities: urination and sexual activity. When a man urinates, the two functions cross briefly and he experiences a mini-orgasm that causes his body to shiver uncontrollably. Is either one of these correct, or is there a third theory we haven't thought of? Pleae help, Cecil. --Patrick Cormack, Dallas, Texas

Dear Patrick:

I know I promised I wouldn't answer this disgusting question, but my will is weak. Besides, the subject has been debated on alt.fan.cecil-adams off and on for weeks, and even though no firm conclusions have been arrived at (par for the course on the net), the least I can do is give an interim report. We've made progress on one front: someone came up with an impressive-sounding name. Peter H. M. Brooks proposes post-micturition convulsion syndrome, or PMCS. Sure beats "piss shiver." Maybe now we can apply for a big federal grant.

The following key facts have also been unearthed:

1. Women--some, anyway--also experience PCMS.
2. That's it.

Theory productivity has been a little better. Here's what we've got so far:

* Heat loss due to several ounces of warm fluid leaving the body. Maybe, but then why don't we experience it during defecation, vomiting, etc.?
* Heat loss due to exposure of the nether regions. Not likely; as one netter points out, babies snugly clothed in diapers may be observed to experience PMCS.
* It's caused by the passage of spermatozoa into the urinary canal. Guess that explains why it happens to women.
* It dates back to pre-civilization days when men hadn't learned to do their own shaking. Attributed to George Carlin. What a comedian.
* It's all the fault of the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is up there with the Babylonians as the default explanation for anything you can't think of a good reason for (e.g., photic sneeze reflex, closing your eyes when you sneeze), but I throw it in for the sake of completeness. Your mini-orgasm theory sounds like a baroque version of this.

End of transmission. Lame, I know, but what are you going to do? Cecil can't figure out everything. I'd convene a special session of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board, but they're still sleeping it off from our last symposium. Contributions from the Teeming Millions cordially invited.

--CECIL ADAMS

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why do we get the chills right after peeing?

Answer 3

Chills When Urinating

Answer 4

That happens to me especially after I have held my pee in for a while. And after your done it's like awwww relief. I kinda like that shiver, it feels good. Star for you, I find this question very interesting

Answer 5

Yur in Runs approximately 98 to a 101 after leaving the body it may cool you down our it could be a Re leaf of tension pS don't eat Yellow snow.

Answer 6

Because the temperature of the outside of your body is cooler than that of your internal temperature. Thus you get the chills.

Answer 7

If this is a new thing (within the past few days) for you, please get checked by a dr.-you may have a urinary tract infection, and if it hurts to pee, that is probably what is going on. The chills usually mean a temp. Not feeling well. Take care.

Answer 8

WE Don't! and neither should you.
If you experience chills after urination, you need to consult with your doctor or a urologist.to have it investigated.

Answer 9

same reason u get chills right after eating....its a bodily function, it needs blood to make your organs work...so the rest of you gets chilly. like after youve eaten a meal your stomach needs blood to digest, it goes to that area, and you are temporarily cold.

Answer 10

That's weird. I usually get the chills when I am constipated or have diarrhea but never when i am urinating.