For many women, peeing in the shower feels like a harmless, eco-friendly time saver. It all goes down the drain anyway, right?
Pelvic floor specialists are not so sure. In recent years, several experts – including Dr Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas (pelvic floor PT) and urogynaecologists like Dr Teresa Irwin and Dr Emma Qureshey – have publicly warned women to stop this habit. Their concern isn’t about being “gross,” but about long-term bladder and pelvic health.
From a holistic health perspective, this is actually a fascinating example of how posture, nervous system conditioning, and daily habits can shape the way your body functions for years to come.
Reason #1: You’re Training Your Brain To Pee To The Sound Of Water
One of the biggest reasons doctors tell women not to pee in the shower is something called conditioning – think “Pavlov’s dog,” but with your bladder.
Your bladder normally gets its cues to empty from:
- Stretch receptors in the bladder wall (how full it is)
- Signals from the brain saying “OK, this is the right time and place to go”
When you regularly pee in the shower, especially every time the water runs, you may train your brain-bladder connection to think:
“Running water = time to pee.”
Over time, experts warn this can contribute to:
- Urgency (sudden, strong need to pee when you hear or feel running water)
- Leaking when you turn on the tap, wash dishes, or step into the shower
- Overactive bladder–type symptoms in people already prone to them
A recent overview on bladder habits noted that “shower peeing” is one of several behaviors that can disrupt normal bladder signaling and undermine bladder “fitness” over time.
For women already dealing with:
- Pregnancy or postpartum changes
- Menopause
- A history of pelvic floor issues or urinary leakage
…this is not the kind of conditioning you want to add on top.
Reason #2: Standing To Pee Can Stress The Female Pelvic Floor
Unlike men, women’s bodies simply aren’t designed to pee standing up with a strong, forward stream. Pelvic floor therapists point out that the position most women use in the shower – standing or half-squatting – is not ideal for pelvic floor relaxation.
For healthy, efficient urination, you want:
- Your pelvic floor muscles to relax
- Your bladder muscle (detrusor) to contract smoothly
- Gravity and posture to help the flow, not fight it
Pelvic health experts warn that peeing while standing or “hovering” – whether over a public toilet or in the shower – can lead to:
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Extra tension in the pelvic floor
- Compensatory habits like “pushing” or “power peeing,” which raise pressure on the bladder and pelvic organs
Over years, these patterns may contribute to problems such as:
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Leakage when coughing, laughing, or exercising
- Pelvic organ prolapse in susceptible women
That’s why many pelvic health guidelines now emphasize:
Sit, don’t hover – feet flat, knees slightly apart, leaning forward – so the pelvic floor can actually let go and you can fully empty.
In other words, the shower is almost the worst posture option for women trying to protect long-term pelvic health.
Reason #3: Hygiene & Infection Concerns (Especially Outside Your Home)
In your own shower, occasional peeing probably isn’t a hygiene catastrophe. But doctors still flag a few issues:
- Urine isn’t always sterile – a UTI or bacteria at the urethral opening can mean microbes end up on the floor, your feet, or any tiny cuts in the skin.
- In public or shared showers (gyms, pools, dorms), the combination of other people’s microbes, warm water, and skin contact raises the risk of spreading or picking up infections.
From a holistic perspective, anything that adds unnecessary microbial load or irritants to the skin and mucous membranes is worth minimizing – especially for women prone to:
- Vaginal infections
- Recurrent UTIs
- Sensitive skin or eczema
Again, it’s not about panic – it’s about choosing cleaner, safer habits whenever possible.
But Wait…Some Doctors Say Peeing In The Shower Is Fine
To keep this balanced, it’s worth acknowledging that not all experts agree that shower-peeing is inherently harmful.
For example, Cleveland Clinic urologists note that in a private, clean shower, peeing is generally safe for people with healthy pelvic floors, and relaxing the pelvic floor in running water may even reduce straining for some.
Some pros also argue that:
- Urine is usually low-risk if you’re infection-free.
- Environmentally, combining pee and shower water uses less water than flushing.
So why are pelvic floor specialists still so firm with the “don’t do it” advice, especially for women?
The Holistic Bottom Line
For women – particularly those who:
- Have been pregnant
- Had vaginal births
- Are peri- or post-menopausal
- Already experience leaks or urgency
…the potential downsides (conditioning, pelvic floor strain, incomplete emptying) may outweigh the convenience.
Think of it this way:
Peeing in the shower once in a while probably won’t “destroy your pelvic floor.”
Turning it into a habit might contribute to problems you’d rather prevent.
Holistic Tips For Bladder & Pelvic Floor Health
If your readers care about natural, whole-body wellness, this is a perfect place to shift the focus from “shower shame” to empowered pelvic care.
1. Use the Toilet Before You Turn On the Shower
This simple habit:
- Reinforces a clear message: “Toilet = place to pee.”
- Avoids pairing the urge to urinate with the sound or feel of running water.
If you suddenly feel the urge in the shower, pelvic therapists often recommend:
- Pause, breathe slowly
- See if the urge passes
- If not, turn off the water, sit on the toilet, and pee there – then resume your shower
2. Ditch “Power Peeing” And Rushing
Straining or “forcing” urine out can:
- Increase pressure on the pelvic floor
- Contribute to prolapse and dysfunctional voiding over time
Instead:
- Sit fully; relax your belly
- Let the flow start naturally
- Take your time – no pushing or squeezing
3. Don’t Hover Unless You Have To
Hovering over public toilets engages the pelvic floor muscles, making it harder to empty fully and encouraging compensatory habits.
Better:
- If possible, cover the seat and sit
- Save hovering for truly awful situations, not every public restroom
4. Avoid “Just In Case” Peeing All Day Long
Going “just in case” repeatedly – before every car ride, meeting, or walk – trains your bladder to signal urgency at lower and lower volumes.
Over time, this can create a small, over-eager bladder that constantly demands a bathroom break.
Aim to pee with a true urge (roughly every 2–4 hours for most people), not every 20–30 minutes.
5. Support Pelvic Floor Strength And Relaxation
Holistic pelvic care isn’t just about Kegels. It’s about balanced function:
- Strength AND coordination
- Ability to contract and fully relax
Helpful practices:
- Guided pelvic floor exercises from a specialist
- Hip and core strengthening
- Deep breathing that expands the belly and pelvic floor on inhale
- Managing constipation to avoid chronic straining
If you already have leaks, heaviness, or pelvic pain, consider seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist for a personalized plan.
When To See A Doctor About Your Bladder Habits
Encourage your readers to seek medical or pelvic health support if they notice:
- Urine leakage with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise
- Sudden, hard-to-control urges to pee
- Burning, pain, or blood in the urine
- Pelvic heaviness, bulging, or pressure
- Frequent UTIs
These can be signs of:
- Overactive bladder
- Stress incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Infection or other urinary tract issues
Early help often means simpler, more effective treatments – including pelvic floor physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication.
Final Thoughts: Is Peeing In The Shower Really Worth It?
From an eco and convenience standpoint, peeing in the shower might seem clever. But when pelvic floor therapists and urogynaecologists look at the long-term picture for women, they see:
- Risk of brain–bladder conditioning to running water
- Sub-optimal posture for full bladder emptying
- Added strain on a pelvic floor that may already be under pressure from childbirth, hormones, and everyday life
- Possible hygiene and infection concerns in shared spaces
So when a doctor explains why they believe women definitely shouldn’t pee in the shower, it’s not about being dramatic – it’s about protecting future bladder freedom, pelvic strength, and confidence.
Holistic health is all about making small, daily choices that support the body’s natural design.
Using the toilet before you step into the shower is one of those tiny choices that can pay off in the long run.
Sources
