Pelvic Surgeon Warns: Stop Peeing in the Shower for Better Health!

Urinating in the shower may feel convenient and even liberating, but it could have unintended consequences for your health, particularly when it comes to the pelvic floor, and this is especially true for women.

A TikTok video from user @kingsley.502, which has gathered over a million views, cautions women against urinating while standing in the shower. In her video, she states, “Here’s a thought: don’t pee while standing up in the shower, or anywhere else for that matter. Ladies, by doing this, you’re training your bladder it’s okay to release while standing. It’s a bad idea! This could lead to bladder leaks.”

Supporting her claim, Dr. Emma Qureshey, an OB-GYN based in Houston, added her voice via a TikTok response. She mentioned, “Firstly, it’s not exactly the cleanest habit, but more critically, it can ruin your pelvic floor. It might also create a mental link between the sound of running water and the sudden urge to pee.”

Surveys indicate that nearly one-fourth of Americans regularly pee in the shower and many are resistant to the idea of stopping. “I gave birth to a child…I’ll let her pee where she wants,” commented one TikTok user, expressing a sentiment of frustration shared by many: “Can’t I even enjoy the simple things in life?”

Should You Reconsider Peeing in the Shower?

But the considerations aren’t just for women. Men should also rethink their habits of urinating standing up, not just in the shower but in general. Urological surgeon Gerald Collins from Alexandra Hospital in England suggests that for men, sitting down might be healthier. In an interview with the Telegraph, he explained, “Sitting down is probably the most efficient and relaxing way to go,” pointing out that this position allows the muscles in the pelvis and spine to relax more effectively.

Moreover, standing while urinating is associated with a higher risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges and can impede the flow of urine. Despite this, cultural stigmas persist. For instance, in Germany, the term “Sitzpinkler,” used derogatorily, refers to men who sit down to pee, insinuating that they are less masculine.

So, it turns out, what may seem like a trivial shower routine could have more serious implications than you might expect.