The debate over peeing in the shower continues, with many advocating for the practice due to its water-saving benefits. However, Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, a pelvic health specialist, warns that for those assigned female at birth, this habit could have unintended health consequences.
The Water Conservation Argument
One of the strongest arguments for urinating in the shower is its potential to save water. By eliminating the need for a separate toilet flush, a person could save approximately 2,190 liters (579 gallons) of water per year. If the entire U.S. population adopted this practice, it could lead to an annual water savings of 699 billion liters (185 billion gallons). This significant reduction in water consumption highlights the environmental advantages of shower urination.
Potential Health Risks: The Pelvic Floor Connection
Despite the environmental benefits, the potential health consequences of this habit must be considered. Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas explains in a TikTok video that regularly peeing in the shower may lead to pelvic floor and bladder control issues.
The Pavlovian Response
Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas likens this habit to Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiment, where dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell with food. Similarly, repeatedly urinating in the shower can train the brain to link the sound of running water with the urge to pee. This association may result in involuntary urination triggered by running water sounds, such as a faucet, toilet flush, or even rain.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Risks
For individuals with existing pelvic floor dysfunction, this learned association can exacerbate bladder control problems. Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas explains that urinating while standing in the shower does not allow the pelvic floor muscles to fully relax, potentially leading to incomplete bladder emptying. Over time, this can contribute to urinary retention and increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Some argue that squatting while urinating in the shower might alleviate pelvic floor strain. Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas acknowledges that a full squat position allows for better pelvic floor relaxation, but she still advises against making shower urination a habit. If one must urinate in the shower, a proper squatting position is preferable to standing.
Why Doesn’t Toilet Flushing Trigger the Same Response?
A common question is why flushing the toilet doesn’t condition the brain in the same way. Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas clarifies that by the time a person flushes the toilet, they have already urinated, so no association is formed. However, individuals who struggle to resist the urge to urinate when exposed to running water may already have underlying bladder control issues.
Understanding Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common condition, particularly among women. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, uterus, rectum, and other organs. Dysfunction occurs when these muscles become too weak or too tight, leading to symptoms such as:
- Urinary and bowel incontinence
- Lower back pain
- Pain during intercourse
- Increased urgency or frequency of urination
Factors such as childbirth, surgery, aging, obesity, and high-impact activities can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. Given that urinating in the shower might worsen symptoms, individuals should be aware of these risks before adopting the habit.
The Biological Factor: Why Female Anatomy Matters
Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas emphasizes that those with female anatomy are not designed to urinate while standing. Unlike male anatomy, where the positioning allows for better bladder emptying while standing, females may struggle to fully relax the pelvic floor in this position. This can lead to incomplete bladder emptying, increasing the risk of UTIs and other urinary complications.
Pros and Cons of Peeing in the Shower
Pros:
- Water conservation: Reduces toilet water usage significantly.
- Convenience: Saves time, particularly during a rushed morning routine.
Cons:
- Pelvic floor health risks: May contribute to bladder control issues and pelvic dysfunction.
- Conditioned response: Can create an involuntary urge to urinate when exposed to running water.
- Sanitation concerns: While urine is mostly sterile, it can still contain bacteria that may pose hygiene risks.
The Bottom Line
While peeing in the shower may seem like an eco-friendly and convenient habit, it is important to weigh the potential health risks. Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas’s insights serve as a reminder to consider the long-term effects of our daily routines. Striving for sustainability should not come at the cost of personal health. Ultimately, making an informed decision based on both environmental and health factors is key to maintaining overall well-being.
This 2000s Star Sparked Mixed Reactions This Year After Users Saw How Her Appearance Has Changed — Photos of Her Transformation
Over the years, the following award-winning musician has gone through a remarkable transformation, which has sparked conversations online. Take a look at her journey, as she reflects on how the media once perceived her, especially concerning body image.
A well-known singer from the 2000s continues to amaze fans, not just with her powerful vocals but also with her stunning physical appearance. Her latest performances have ignited a wave of online discussions, with opinions varying widely about her current look.
The Hollywood star, considered one of the most successful Canadian artists, first captured the public’s attention with her trip-hop-inspired debut album, “Whoa, Nelly!” (2000).
This album achieved both critical and commercial success, producing two singles that soared into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100: “I’m Like a Bird” and “Turn Off the Light.” The success of “I’m Like a Bird” even won her the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
However, along with her success came a series of difficult experiences. In a recent interview, the songwriter opened up about her early years in the music industry, shedding light on the struggles she faced during that time.
One of the most striking memories she shared from that era was extensive airbrushing. “I have olive skin, and they’d kind of lighten my skin a lot in photos, and kind of take my hips down all the time — they would always cut off in editorials,” the celebrity candidly revealed.
The experience became the inspiration for her song “Powerless,” featured on her 2003 sophomore album, “Folklore.” In the song, the artist sings about the alterations made to her image, expressing lines like, “Paint my face in your magazines / Make it look whiter than it seems / Paint me over with your dreams / Shove away my ethnicity.”
Of Portuguese descent, the songwriter, who has recently unveiled her seventh album, “7,” admitted, “By my second album, I guess I was kind of angry about it.”
Despite the challenges she faced, she looks back on her early fame with gratitude, feeling fortunate to have been shielded from the darker side of the entertainment industry that affected some of her peers.
The singer credits her strong, matriarchal family and the solid support of her team for providing her with a sense of assertiveness and guidance, which helped her navigate the music business successfully.
At one point, Nelly Furtado once stepped away from the limelight to focus on raising her children. She is now a mother of three: two daughters, including 21-year-old Nevis Gahunia, and a son.
After the birth of her two younger children, just 14 months apart, Furtado discovered she was living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
While caring for her daughter, now 6, and son, 5, she recognized the symptoms in herself and was officially diagnosed. Furtado shares her two younger children, whose names remain private, with her ex, rapper Jerry (Gerard Damien Long).
The mother of three had lived with ADHD her entire life. However, it was the “chaos” of raising two young children close in age that ultimately led to her diagnosis.
She disclosed, “When I was attending college, [I was like] ‘Boing, boing, boing, boing.’ I’ve had it my whole life. But when I had my two youngest in close proximity, it made me very aware of my ADHD.”
Since her diagnosis, Furtado has become more mindful, often reflecting on how to stay grounded amidst daily distractions. Exercise, especially dancing, has been key to her routine. She finds that time in the dance studio helps keep her ADHD in check and brings her focus.
With the release of her new album, her first in seven years, the doting mom has returned to the spotlight. Her recent live performances have sparked conversations about her appearance, with some praising her beauty while others focused on her physique.
Meanwhile, one person defended Furtado’s physical appearance, expressing, “So, she gained some weight. So, what! She still looks gorgeous. This obsession with weight is ridiculous.” “She looks better with the curves,” echoed another individual. More users from X (formerly known as Twitter) compared Furtado’s look from back in the day.
Nelly Furtado’s reemergence into the limelight has ignited conversations around her music and appearance, reflecting the multifaceted nature of fame. Despite the chatter, she remains focused on her journey, inspiring many with her resilience and growth as an artist.
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