You shouldn't pee in the shower because it can condition your brain to associate the sound of running water with needing to pee, potentially leading to bladder issues or accidental leakage (urge incontinence), especially for women who aren't designed to urinate standing up; it can also be less hygienic and, if shared, a risk for infections like MRSA.
“While it's not sterile, the bacteria counts in healthy urine are fairly low. And it's your own bacteria. So, as long as you're cleaning your shower regularly, there's no major health risk associated with peeing in the shower.”
The "21-second pee rule" comes from a scientific study showing most mammals over about 3 kg (6.6 lbs) empty their bladders in roughly 21 seconds, a phenomenon explained by physics where longer, wider urethras in larger animals use gravity to maintain a similar flow rate to smaller ones, and it serves as a loose benchmark for human bladder health; significantly shorter or longer times can signal issues like overactive bladder or holding it too long.
Note that it's also worse if you share a shower because the other person could have a urinary tract infection. “If you are doing this, clean the area with soap and water and run clean shower water on it after you have urinated in the shower to be considerate and sanitary for the next person,” Dr. Sonpal says.
Golden shower (urolagnia), a slang term for the practice of urinating on another person for sexual pleasure.
It raises the risk of bacteria entering your urethra when sitting in the tub. Urinating in the bath worsens bacterial growth since bacteria have more resources to thrive. “Urine is a waste product for us, but for bacteria and fungi, it's food,” Shusterman added.
In addition, as gross as it might sound, surveys have shown that around 70% of all people pee in the shower. That urine can become trapped if not cleaned away properly, causing an ammonia smell to build.
Men are more likely to indulge, with 30% saying they do so regularly compared to 20% of women. In all, 45% of Americans pee in the shower throughout the course of the average year. A licensed therapist told Talker Research this reflects our modern obsession with multitasking.
But if you do, know this: peeing in the shower really isn't as gross as it's made out to be. For starters, it's more hygienic than peeing in a toilet, which results in a significant amount of splashback—on your jeans, on your hands and even on your face.
The very worst thing that could happen: The pee itself won't do anything to you, even if you were to get it on your hands and transfer it to your face (ewwww), says microbiologist Philip M. Tierno, Jr., a professor of microbiology and pathology at NYU School of Medicine.
A moderate urge normally occurs after about 300 ml is in the bladder. When someone is in a situation where they cannot reach the bathroom easily, often bladder can store as much as 1 liter (1,000 ml) but with some obvious discomfort.
A pee dance is also a method of distraction. Your brain finds it easier to focus on something when you're standing still as opposed to moving around, so the dancing takes your mind off the engorged water balloon that is your bladder.
Now, let's say you shower once every day, so you would pee during that shower saving 1.6 gallons of water from not flushing the toilet. So to do the math there are 365 days in a year, times that by 1.6 gallons of water saved, for a total of 584 gallons of water.
Urine leaves the body through a small tube called the urethra. Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Stress incontinence happens when movement or activity puts pressure on the bladder, causing urine to leak.
The majority of respondents have fewer than 8 showers per week - perhaps one per day is the norm? Anecdotal evidence suggests this is because sport and the gym are very important to this age group. The average Gen Z is taking between 4 and 8 minutes in the shower.
Letting pee sit makes it harder to clean your toilet. This is the best reason I can find for flushing every time you pee. Why? Because the combination of urine and hard water (i.e., water that contains a lot of minerals), if left to sit for a few hours, can create a crusty deposit on the side of the bowl over time.
5 tips for how to pee correctly
Women might feel like they need to go more often, but their actual bladder size isn't significantly different. The bladder is a muscular balloon engineered for flexibility. Two key features make this possible: the detrusor muscle and transitional epithelium.
While it may feel efficient, this habit can train your brain to associate the sound of running water with the urge to urinate, leading to awkward moments of urgency at the wrong times. On top of that, standing in the shower prevents your pelvic floor muscles from fully relaxing, which could weaken them over time.
Trimethylaminuria is a disorder in which the body is unable to break down trimethylamine, a chemical compound that has a pungent odor. Trimethylamine has been described as smelling like rotten or decaying fish.
Peeing in the shower is generally safe, and it may help conserve water. Urine carries some bacteria, especially if you have an infection like a UTI. You should avoid standing while peeing, which may weaken your pelvic floor muscles.
High levels of urea can make your urine smell like ammonia. The following may also cause changes to the color and/or smell of your urine: Urinary tract infections. The bacteria that cause UTIs can make your urine darker and smell.
The Talker Research survey also found that 45% of Americans pee in the shower throughout the average year, with 12% doing it daily and another 12% doing it a few times per week. Additionally, more men (30%) tend to do it regularly than women (20%). Who would have thought? So, why is this such a common habit?