Doctor Issues Important Warning About A Common Shower Habit

A doctor has raised concerns over a controversial shower habit that, according to surveys, two-thirds of Americans admit to doing.

While it might seem convenient or harmless at first, it could lead to some awkward and potentially unhealthy consequences down the line.

Recently, the topic of what people do in the shower has sparked unusual debates online.

From snacking mid-shower to brushing their teeth, people are admitting to some interesting habits.

Adding to this, there has even been an ongoing conversation about how often people should shower.

But amidst all this, one specific habit has caught the attention of experts for its potential risks to bladder health.

In fact, experts agree that a habit confessed by 62 percent of Americans in a YouGov survey is not as harmless as it might seem.

Even celebrities like Kelly Clarkson and Madonna have admitted to doing this time-saving activity in the shower. However, they might want to think twice, according to medical professionals.

Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas has highlighted that what seems like a simple and convenient routine could actually be affecting your bladder’s normal function and potentially your pelvic health.

Two in three Americans have admitted to the controversial shower habit Getty Stock Image

Yes, we’re talking about urinating in the shower.

While it might feel convenient and even eco-friendly to some, especially if you share a household, it’s a habit that could lead to some long-term issues.

If you’ve found yourself among those who admit to peeing in the shower, Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas strongly suggests reconsidering this behavior.

Why is peeing in the shower bad for you?

"We want to avoid training our bladder to associate certain signals with the urge to pee. In this case, peeing in the shower associates the sound of running water with urination or with submersion in water," she explained in a viral TikTok video.

"This can often transition into being triggered by other sounds of running water (like when you're running the faucet to wash your hands or the dishes) or when you're in bodies of water."

If avoiding a weak bladder is your goal, sticking to using the toilet is the best way to go. Peeing in the shower, similar to other habits like 'hovering over the toilet' or 'pushing out' urine, can be particularly harmful to women because of how their pelvic anatomy is structured.

In her TikTok clip, Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas pointed out that standing while urinating doesn’t allow for proper pelvic floor relaxation, which is essential for healthy bladder function.

She elaborated further in an interview with BuzzFeed, noting that cisgender men naturally have a prostate to provide additional bladder support.

However, cisgender women and individuals who have undergone gender-affirming surgeries don’t have the same level of structural support for their bladders.

How often should you be peeing?

Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas also stressed that building a stronger bladder involves reducing the frequency of bathroom trips.

She explained: "Normal time between trips to the bathroom is every three to four hours during the day but a minimum of two and ideally, you should not be getting up at night."

She added, "We know that as your bladder steadily fills up, the intensity of the feeling of needing to go will increase more and more and more until we get to this peak but that wave will come back down and it will settle back down."

Just don't. TikTok/@thepelvicdancefloor

"The goal is to be able to use these techniques to kind of ride the wave so that we are not giving in at that high level of intensity to go."

"If you're constantly giving in and going at the top of that wave, it's training your body to send that really urgent signal more often, you're perpetuating the cycle."