Let’s face it - we’ve all done it.
Sometimes peeing in the shower is just a lot more convenient.
Although it is always annoying to trade out convenience, it's been proven it may be helpful in the long run, especially for women.
Dr Zac is a well-known Australian GP, and he says that urinating in the shower is concerning if it becomes a routine, due to risks of UTI, links to pelvic health issues and the unhealthy conditioning of ‘brain-bladder reflex’.
If you didn’t know, urine is actually not sterile. Even the healthiest of people have bacteria in their urine, so peeing in the shower puts you at risk of spreading bacteria over your skin and feet.
The risks increase if you are struggling with a UTI, as this urine contains more bacteria.
I know - what an absolute buzzkill.
Men get off a bit lighter on this, but for women, peeing while upright can cause pelvic health issues.
Our pelvic floor and bladder are in sync, and as Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, a physical therapist at MomLife Health & Wellness explains: “When one is on, the other should be off.”
When women sit or squat to pee, the pelvic floor muscles relax and the bladder can empty fully. When you stand, the pelvic floor muscles stay partially engaged and you won’t get everything out.
Who would’ve thought?
Doesn’t stop there though - an incomplete emptying of your bladder can strain it and cause issues like residual urine, bacterial growth or urgency problems.
Have you ever hopped in the shower, and all of a sudden, you REALLY need to pee? Even if you didn’t before?
This is because of the ‘brain-bladder reflex’, where your brain is conditioned, from habitual shower urination, to needing to pee every single time you shower.
"This can lead to an overactive bladder or urge incontinence over time."
What a pain in the ass… and potentially other places.
So, how does one realise that their tendency to pee in the shower (don’t be ashamed) might be causing some issues?
UTIs…. Well, you’ll sure feel those.
You’ll likely have a burning/stinging sensation while urinating, and your trips to the bathroom will become way more frequent.
Along with that, you may experience some variation of pelvic discomfort or lower back pain. If you’re lucky, you may get both!
UTIs are easily treated, but need to be recognised as early as possible, or they may take a more serious turn.
Leaking urine, especially during exercise, laughter or sneezing, may be indicative of weakened pelvic floor muscles. In this case, call ya doctor.
Yeah… this might be one of the rare cases in my life where I sacrifice convenience for the greater good.
