Let’s be honest – we’ve all been there. That moment when you’re standing in the shower, feeling the warm water cascade over you, and the urge to relieve yourself just becomes too strong to ignore. While it may seem like a harmless habit, the truth is that shower peeing is more common than you might think.
According to a recent survey by Shape Magazine, a staggering 80% of people admit to indulging in this seemingly taboo bathroom behavior. That’s right – four out of five people are part of the secret shower pee-er club.
Photo: flickr.com/osseous
But before you start feeling too ashamed, it’s important to understand that this practice, while unconventional, may not be as harmless as you might think. In fact, there are some health professionals who are advising against it, citing potential risks to your pelvic floor and bladder health.
Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, a pelvic floor physical therapist, recently shared her concerns about the habit of peeing in the shower on TikTok. According to her, this seemingly innocuous act can actually have some serious consequences.
“If your pelvic floor muscles are tight and prevent your bladder from completely emptying, then this can make you prone to recurrent urinary tract infections,” explains Dr. Stacey Picart, a gynecologist.
But the problems don’t end there. Dr. Picart also warns that regularly urinating in the shower can actually train your bladder to get used to emptying at much lower volumes, potentially leading to a loss of bladder control and the ability to hold higher volumes of urine.
Now, before you start panicking and swearing off shower peeing for good, there may be some potential benefits to this habit that you haven’t considered.
For one, it can be a convenient way to conserve water, as you’re essentially combining two necessary tasks into one. And let’s be honest – who doesn’t love the efficiency of a good multitask?
Moreover, some experts suggest that the warm water and relaxation of the shower can actually help to promote a healthy pelvic floor, potentially counteracting some of the negative effects.
Photo: Unsplash/The Creative Exchange
The bottom line is that, while shower peeing may be more common than we’d like to admit, it’s important to be mindful of the potential risks and to find a balance that works for you.
If you’re going to indulge in this habit, try to do so in moderation and be sure to maintain good pelvic floor health through exercises and regular check-ups with your healthcare provider.
And remember – you’re not alone. The next time you’re standing in the shower, take comfort in the fact that you’re part of a secret club of 80% of people who have been there before.
Peeing in the shower may be a taboo topic, but it’s one that deserves our attention. While it may seem like a harmless habit, the truth is that it can have some serious implications for our bladder and pelvic floor health.
By understanding the potential risks and benefits, and finding a balance that works for us, we can embrace this unconventional bathroom behavior in a way that promotes our overall well-being. So the next time you’re tempted to let it rip in the shower, take a moment to consider the implications – and maybe, just maybe, you’ll decide to hold it in for a little while longer.
