Doctor Says Peeing in the Shower May Lead to Pelvic Floor Problems

There have been claims suggesting that urinating in the shower may cause serious health problems.

The New York Post reported that Dr. Emma Qureshey, an obstetrician based in Houston, Texas, shared on her TikTok that “standing and urinating while showering is not good for women’s health.” She argued that this practice could contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction.

The pelvic floor is a bowl-shaped muscle group that supports the pelvis. Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when these muscles become overly tense or contract, leading to sharp pain, pressure around the thighs, and a throbbing sensation.

Common conditions associated with pelvic floor dysfunction include fecal incontinence (the involuntary loss of bowel control), cystocele (prolapse of the bladder), rectocele (prolapse of the rectum), uterine prolapse (slipping of the uterus), pelvic organ prolapse, chronic pelvic pain, and genitourinary pain.

Engaging in pelvic floor exercises is crucial to prevent or manage pelvic floor dysfunction. One way to identify these muscles is to try stopping urination midstream—the muscles involved are your pelvic floor muscles.

One effective exercise to strengthen these muscles is the “hip bridge.” Here’s how you do it:

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent.
2. Lift your hips slowly, focusing on contracting your pelvic floor muscles.
3. Make sure to lift using your pelvic strength, not your back muscles.
4. Lower your hips slowly, keeping the pelvic floor muscles engaged.

Repeating this exercise regularly can help build strength in the pelvic floor.

You can also practice pelvic floor strengthening while sitting:

1. Sit with your toes pointed outward.
2. Contract your pelvic floor muscles and turn your toes inward.
3. Repeat this motion to help strengthen the area.

If home exercises don’t lead to improvement, seeking professional treatment at a rehabilitation center specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction may be necessary.