You’ve probably heard the phrase “If you pee in the shower, you’ll save the environment”. Researchers continue to surprise us with their numbers on how much water you could save if you did two jobs simultaneously in your shower stalls.
But doctors don’t see it that way. They view this seemingly eco-friendly habit from a very different point of view. And we figured out why.
Why Peeing In The Shower May Not Be A Good Idea, According To Science
Most of us probably do it now and then without giving it much thought, but does it matter? For environmentally-conscious people, the answer is a resounding yes.
Not only is it good for the environment, but it also saves water that can be used for toilet flushes.
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But what about safety and hygiene? After all, the shower is supposed to be a place where you leave cleaner than when you came in.
Contrary to popular belief, urine isn’t sterile, and this is one of the many concerns that doctors have about showering.
1. Your bladder can be trained the wrong way.
When we use the shower to relieve ourselves, we may be inadvertently learning to urinate when we hear the sound of the shower nozzle spraying.
“If you’re sitting on the toilet while the shower’s running, you’re creating an association in your brain between the shower’s sound and the urge to go to the bathroom,” says Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, an accredited pelvic floor physical therapist. “This is called the Pavlovian effect. It’s a reflex response to an external sound or stimulus.”
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“This might not be a big issue for everyone,” says Jeffrey-Thomas, “but it could be a contributing factor for people with any type of pelvic floor dysfunction.”
2. Your bladder may not be prepared for it anatomically
It turns out that peeing in the shower can be dangerous for women. The most important thing to know is that you may not empty your bladder correctly.
According to Dr Jeffrey-Thomas, women cannot fully relax their pelvic muscles when urinating standing up.
Men have a prostate that supports their bladder, so for them, standing up while urinating is fine.
On the other hand, women don’t have this extra support, so peeing standing or hovering isn’t natural for women. It causes your bladder to empty at a much lower level than it needs to.
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Hovering over the toilet (like standing in the shower) means that your muscles aren’t relaxed, and you have to push and mess with the continence mechanism.
3. What to do if the temptation is just too high
If you can’t resist the urge to pee in your shower, it’s best to do so in your shower, not in public. And this isn’t a microbiological problem, it’s a societal problem.
“A urinary tract infection could be present in someone who pees in the shower,” says Dr. Naveen Brahmbhatt (Clinic Urologist, Assistant Professor, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL). “The urine could collect bugs from the tip of the urinary bladder as it exits.”
RELATED: Why You Shouldn’t Hold Your Pee
So, peeing in your shower, rather than in public, can help you avoid some nasty surprises.
Why Peeing In The Shower May Not Be A Good Idea FAQs
Is it hygienic to pee in the shower?
No, your urine can mix with the water and create an environment conducive to bacterial growth, which can lead to infections.
Can peeing in the shower lead to bacterial infections?
Yes, the humidity in the shower can increase the growth of bacteria, which can lead to infections.
Does urine contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in showers?
Yes, urine does contain compounds that can encourage mold and mildew growth, which can cause bad smells and health risks.
Are there any environmental concerns associated with peeing in the shower?
Yes, urine does contain nitrogen and phosphorus. If not treated properly in wastewater treatment plants, this can lead to water pollution.
Does peeing in the shower affect the quality of water treatment?
Yes, urine adds to the amount of contaminants in the wastewater stream. This can increase the amount of work that needs to be done by water treatment plants and can have an impact on water quality.
Can urine cause unpleasant odors in the bathroom or shower area?
Yes, your urine can smell like ammonia when it mixes with water and germs, creating an unpleasant odor in your bathroom or shower.
Is it true that peeing in the shower may not be as sanitary as using a toilet?
Yes, toilets are made to hold and dispose of urine and feces, while showering can transfer urine and bacteria to surfaces that may not be properly cleaned.