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Not sure if you do it or not, but peeing in the shower is one of those taboo topics that people either shrug off or adamantly defend. It’s often pitched as a water-saving hack, but there are several reasons it's a bad idea. Some hygienic, some medical, but this might be why this habit may not be the healthiest idea.
1. It Can Spread Bacteria and Germs
Urine is technically sterile when it leaves the body—that is, if you're completely healthy. But once it hits the shower floor, all bets are off. Most shower surfaces aren’t disinfected daily, meaning your urine can interact with soap scum, hair, skin cells, and residual body oils. That mix can become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially in warm, damp environments.
plus...if you or someone you live with has a UTI, bladder infection, or even just something going on in the urine, the shower could become a transmission point for germs.
2. It Might Reinforce Unhealthy Bladder Habits
From a medical standpoint, peeing in the shower can condition your brain to associate the sound of running water with the need to urinate. This can lead to “triggered” urination urges whenever you hear water running—from a faucet, sink, or even rain.
3. Standing Pee Position Could Be a Problem
For people with not a P but a V (you'll figure it out), peeing while standing in the shower may involve a sort of squat-lean hybrid posture that doesn’t fully relax the pelvic floor. When you don’t completely relax your pelvic muscles, you may not fully empty your bladder. This can lead to residual urine sitting in the bladder, which may increase the risk of infections or urinary retention over time.
So ladies, this could cause you even more issues.
4. You’re Not Really Saving That Much Water
The “eco-friendly” argument tends to focus on saving a toilet flush, which uses about 1.6 gallons per flush (for modern toilets). But you’re already using 2–2.5 gallons of water per minute in the shower. If your goal is conservation, using the toilet before showering is a more hygienic and just-as-effective choice.
5. It’s Not Just Your Shower
If you live with others, your shower is a shared space. What you do in that space affects everyone. Even if urine doesn’t usually smell or leave visible residue, it can contribute to the overall uncleanliness of the shower and may not sit well with roommates or partners—especially if it becomes a regular thing.
So not sure if you do it or not, but there have been plenty of tv shows that have talked about this. Seinfeld, Friends, you name it. But maybe it's best to just put things where they go if you catch my drift.