Why is it dangerous to pee in the shower? A urologist tells what such a habit can lead to

Urologist at the Medical On Group clinic in Podolsk

“Many people urinate in the shower, but is this habit safe for health? Experts believe that urinating in the shower is associated with certain risks.”

Developing a reflex

Urinating in the shower can lead to the “Pavlov’s dog effect”: a person will look for the toilet every time they hear the sound of water. Combined with pelvic floor dysfunction, this can lead to urinary incontinence.

If a person urinates involuntarily every time they shower, and does it often enough (several times a day), they may form a conditioned reflex for the urge followed by involuntary urination. And every time he hears the sound of running water and feels the urge to urinate, he may later actually suffer from imperative (requiring unconditional obedience) situational urinary incontinence.

It is recommended to urinate before showering. If the urge occurs while showering, it should be ignored.

Peeing standing up is not for women

According to Sinitskaya, if men are accustomed to pee standing up and they can do it while taking a shower, then women are better to do it in a sitting position. It is connected with anatomy.

It is physiological for a woman to urinate sitting down, without a certain extraneous noise of water, with a relaxed bladder neck and the ability to maximize the contraction of the detrusor – the muscle that expels urine.

In other words, when urinating in the standing position, the muscle wall of the bladder in women cannot fully relax. This leads to a weakened pelvic floor and an increased risk of urinary incontinence or uncontrollable urges to urinate.

Risk of infections

Experts also link urinating in the shower to the risk of developing infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, urine is mostly made up of water. It has other components, including urea, urochrome, creatinine, and ammonia.

All these substances are not dangerous for a healthy person. The situation is different when there are diseases of the urinary tract: harmful bacteria from urine can enter the body through cracks in the skin and cause infection.

It should be noted: urine is not completely sterile, despite common misconceptions. Studies have shown that a woman’s bladder is home to a variety of bacteria that contribute to various diseases.

Are there any benefits?

If we talk about the benefits of urinating while showering, this is how a person saves water and time. Moreover, some patients who have urological problems, it is easier to urinate exactly in the shower.

This applies to some patients with symptoms of acute cystitis or renal colic. They experience relief when taking a hot shower and can therefore urinate during hygienic procedures.