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You’ll be surprised what happens if you pee in the shower.
Peeing in the shower is generally considered safe for most people in their own private shower, and it can even save water; however, the “surprising” consequences often highlighted in articles relate to potential bladder health risks or hygiene concerns in shared spaces.
Potential Consequences and Considerations
- Behavioral Conditioning: The main concern raised by pelvic health physical therapists is that regularly peeing while hearing or seeing running water can condition your brain to associate that sound with the urge to urinate (a Pavlovian effect). This could potentially lead to urinary urgency or accidental leaks when you hear running water outside of the shower, such as when washing your hands or doing the dishes.
- Pelvic Floor Issues (Primarily for Women): Urinating while standing doesn’t allow the pelvic floor muscles to relax completely, which is the optimal position for fully emptying the bladder. Doing this frequently might contribute to weakened pelvic floor muscles or urinary incontinence over time.
- Hygiene and Infections: Urine from a healthy person is not sterile, though it typically has low levels of bacteria. It is generally washed away by shower water, but if someone has a urinary tract infection (UTI) or an open wound on their foot, there is a small risk of infection. The bigger hygiene concerns in a shared shower are usually mold and fungus, which thrive in damp environments.
- Plumbing: Urine is not corrosive and is diluted by water, so it won’t damage your plumbing system any more than cleaning products would.
Ultimately, the decision to pee in the shower is a matter of personal preference, hygiene habits, and individual health considerations.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider or physical therapist if you have concerns about your bladder health or pelvic floor function.
Pelvic floor exercises, often called Kegels, strengthen the muscles that support your bladder, bowels, and reproductive organs, which can help prevent urinary incontinence and improve overall bladder health.
How to Find Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
The first step is identifying the right muscles.
- For Men and Women: Imagine you are trying to stop the flow of urine mid-stream or trying to prevent yourself from passing gas. The muscles you use for this are your pelvic floor muscles.
- Caution: Only practice this a couple of times until you know the feeling; practicing stopping and starting your urine flow regularly can actually weaken the muscles or cause other problems.
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Kegel Exercises
You can do these exercises lying down, sitting, or standing, as long as your bladder is empty.
- Relax your abdomen, thigh, and buttock muscles. Keep breathing normally throughout the exercise.
- Tighten your pelvic floor muscles with a squeezing and lifting action, as if you are picking up a marble with those muscles.
- Hold the contraction for 3 to 5 seconds when starting out, gradually working your way up to 10 seconds as you get stronger.
- Relax the muscles completely for the same length of time you held the contraction.
- Repeat this process 10 times in a row, for one set.
- Aim for at least three sets per day (morning, afternoon, and night).
You can also do “quick flicks,” which are rapid squeezes and releases that help the muscles respond quickly to sudden pressure from a cough or sneeze.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider or physical therapist if you have trouble performing the exercises correctly or experience pain or no improvement.
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