Doctor explains why it’s bad for women to pee in the shower and you should immediately stop
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Fiordaliso / Getty Images / TikTok / @dr.teresa.irwin
Calling all those who partake in a cheeky shower wee every so often - you may want to think twice before doing it again.
Whether you yourself have picked up the habit or not, the majority of people definitely pee in the shower from time to time.
However, one doctor has since explained exactly why it’s so bad for women to do so and why you should immediately stop.
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Urogynaecologist Dr Teresa Irwin took to TikTok to say: "You need to stop peeing in the shower. Now I've mentioned in the past that is a correct standing position, that is correct peeing position but that's just for emptying the bladder."
She went on to explain that this unfortunately trains your brain to release urine every time you hear water running.
The doctor referenced scientist Ivan Pavlov's experiment with dogs that led to the discovery of the phenomenon of classical conditioning, and likened peeing in the shower to his ringing of the bell.
Dr Irwin continued: "You don't want to do it all the time because what happens it's kind of like the Pavlov's dog training, where every time they heard a little bell ringing, they would start salivating."
"And your bladder, every time it hears running water is going to want to pee,” the expert added. "So, whenever you're washing your hands, washing the dishes, your bladder is going to be salivating so to speak because it wants to go and pee."
It echoes the sentiments of Dr Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, who took to TikTok to warn her followers that having a wee in the shower could actually have 'huge consequences' down the line.
And it’s not only Dr Irwin and Dr Jeffrey-Thomas who are telling people to think twice about peeing in the shower but UK-based Women's Health Physiotherapist Lucy Burrows, who agreed with their warning.
The Pelvis Floor specialist told Tyla: "I understand where she's coming. It wouldn't be such a bother on the very odd occasion, but if you do it every time then it does become a way to train yourself to do it."
But should you already be feeling the urge a little too much, Burrows, who is based at London clinic Six Physio, shared her advice on how to train your brain into calming down any overactive bathroom habits.
She said: "Firstly, check to see do you really need to go? Often if people have 'urge continence' issues, then they may find certain triggers such as putting their keys in the door a trigger for them to need to rush to the bathroom.
"Instead of rushing to undress yourself, take your time and sit on a seat for a while. Time how long you can hold this before you absolutely have to go. Then slowly increase this time.
"Perhaps, start with a minute and increase it by a 30 seconds more each week.
"Your bladder is a vessel that needs to be filled, usually you need to go when it fills to about half-way, if you don’t let it get to this point then over time it will learn to want to empty when it's just a quarter full."
Burrows also went on to explain that there is a correct way to go to the bathroom, which takes inspiration from the Squatty Potty, a toilet stool that helps you get into the correct position.
She continued: "Your knees should be higher than your hips and your pelvic floor. Once in position you should fully relax."
Burrows added that 'leaning forwards can also help'.
The more you know - eh?