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 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 catecholamines 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.

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