Peeing in the shower might seem harmless—even eco-friendly—but a pelvic health specialist warns it could cause long-term problems, especially for women. Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas explains why this common habit might be doing more harm than good.
On the surface, shower peeing seems like a smart way to save water. If everyone in the U.S. did it, we could save billions of gallons each year. But Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas points out a hidden risk: your brain can start associating the sound of running water with the urge to pee.
She compares it to Pavlov’s famous dog experiment, where dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell. Similarly, if you regularly pee in the shower, your brain may link running water to urination. Over time, this could lead to accidental leaks when you hear a faucet or even a flushing toilet.
Another issue? Women’s bodies aren’t designed to pee standing up. When you urinate in the shower, your pelvic floor muscles don’t relax fully, which can lead to incomplete bladder emptying. This might contribute to infections or worsen existing pelvic floor dysfunction.
So, what’s the solution? If you absolutely must go, Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas recommends squatting fully to help your muscles relax. But ideally, she advises waiting until you’re on the toilet—where your body is in the right position for proper bladder function.
While saving water is important, pelvic health matters too. Before making shower peeing a habit, consider the long-term effects on your body.
