Maybe you don't pee in the shower. But you almost certainly know someone who does: A recent study found that a minority of 48 percent of Americans claim to never do this, while 52 percent of us readily admit to it. And for good reason—peeing in the shower really isn't as gross as it's made out to be.
It might not be easy to admit, but a lot of people pee in the shower. In fact, a 2020 survey by Showers to You found that 76% of people let loose in the cubicle. However, pelvic floor therapist Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas says that showers aren't the place to pee, for legitimate health reasons.
You should too. You wouldn't be alone. In fact, 61 percent of Americans pee in the shower, including Kelly Clarkson and Madonna. Before you turn your nose up, hear me out.
In addition, as gross as it might sound, surveys have shown that around 70% of all people pee in the shower. That urine can become trapped if not cleaned away properly, causing an ammonia smell to build.
Showering destroys these happy bacterial colonies; they're completely wiped out by all of our frequent rubbing and scrubbing. And when the bacteria washed off by soap repopulate, they tend to favour microbes which produce an odor – yes, too-frequent showering may actually make you smell more.
Definition. Urine usually has a distinct odor, but under normal circumstances, the odor is relatively mild and not too noticeable.
Most of us pee in the shower - one in three, in fact, according to the same study. But that is a whole lot more hygienic than number twos, and of course, easier to wash down the drain. And call me crazy, but isn't pooing in the shower slightly...
However, there is one way to overcome this issue if you ever find yourself desperate to pee while bathing. "Deep squatting all the way to the ground in the shower avoids this and allows the pelvic floor to relax." But, she added, "then you're still doing the water/peeing association."
We like to believe that most people don't urinate in the pool we're swimming in, but they do. It's clear to us that this is the case, especially when kids swim. Studies have found that up to 40% of respondents admit to urinating while swimming in a pool.
As for whether or not urine will damage the pipes below your shower drain, well, you have nothing to worry about.
It can be a symptom of pregnancy or a urinary tract infection, or more serious or long-lasting conditions like diabetes, overactive bladder or prostate issues. In many cases, your healthcare provider can help relieve frequent peeing by treating the underlying condition.
Usually, you will experience leakage because you're putting extra pressure on your pelvic floor muscles or bladder when you engage in certain activities. Physical activities, such as jumping, running, HIIT workouts, or lifting heavy objects, all put extra pressure on your pelvic muscles.
Should guys wipe after they pee? While most men are content with shaking after they pee, it's a good idea to make a small wipe or dab to ensure that there is no remaining urine. This will help keep your urethra and your undies clean!
The pipes are flushed by the flow of water from the shower and other fixtures. Urine isn't a particularly noxious substance anyway and it all ends up in the same sewer or septic tank as water from the toilet and no one is going to know that you peed in the shower.
Don't pee in a bidet
We're sorry to have to go there with this particular tip—but a bidet is not a toilet. You're not supposed to urinate in it—ever. The toilet is for toileting (pee, poop), while the bidet is for the cleanup job that comes after you've done your business.
Repetitive power peeing can disrupt this synchronized event and, over time, lead to a loss of bladder strength and proper sensation, culminating in poor emptying and the inability to appropriately discharge urine.”
The frequent need to urinate is typically unpleasant, and sometimes it's even a sign of a serious medical issue. Frequent urination may interfere with your work, hobbies, sleep, and mood, so it's important to talk with your doctor if you have concerns about how often and how much you urinate.
Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage in your bladder, which prevents it from emptying fully. Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a small, tunnel like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area (fistula).
Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary loss of urine and is quite common among women. Data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) confirmed 49.6% of all women reported urinary incontinence.
Some studies suggest that up to 25% of people in the United States have some degree of paruresis. It affects people of all genders and ages, including children.
This also applies to normal urinary frequency. For most people, the normal number of times to urinate per day is between 6 – 7 in a 24 hour period. Between 4 and 10 times a day can also be normal if that person is healthy and happy with the number of times they visit the toilet.
If a person is incontinent, leaked urine can dry on their clothes, bedding, chair or flooring. The dried urine will smell until it is cleaned properly.
Urine often has a slight ammonia smell, especially first thing in the morning or when a person is dehydrated. Smelly urine can also be a sign of an infection, however, so if the smell does not go away on its own, or if additional symptoms develop, see a doctor.