Is Peeing in the Shower a Good Idea if You Have Incontinence?

Do you pee in the shower? A quick straw poll in the office shows that probably 50% of people do. And why not? It's convenient and even environmentally friendly.

But on social media, you'll see posts from pelvic floor specialists such as Dr Alicia Jeffrey Thomas saying that it's maybe not a good thing if you suffer from any type of urinary incontinence, depending on the type of incontinence you suffer from. There's conflicting opinions, and you may be wondering whether it’s a helpful habit or one that might do more harm than good.

Let’s take a look at the benefits and potential drawbacks, so you can make the choice that best supports your pelvic health.

The Case For Peeing in the Shower if You Have Urinary Incontinence

Convenience and Confidence in Managing Urinary Urges

For those with urinary incontinence, the urge to urinate can strike without warning, which can mean that making it to the toilet in time becomes a challenge.

Peeing in the shower might feel like a relief if the urge to pee hits while showering. It can be a practical way to empty the bladder in a more relaxed setting. Some even find that doing so removes anxiety around unexpected leaks, offering a sense of control.

Environmental Benefits

Peeing in the shower also saves water. Flushing accounts for a significant portion of daily water usage, with each flush using around 6 litres of water. By combining urination with shower time, you can reduce water waste, which can be appealing to those trying to be more eco-conscious.

Relaxation and Natural Urge Response

Warm water and the soothing atmosphere of the shower can help relax the pelvic muscles, which can make it easier to pee without straining. For people with a tight pelvic floor or bladder issues, the shower can be a comfortable place to relieve the bladder without stress.

Leaves You Naturally Clean

If you're suffering from urinary tract infections or vaginal dryness, even tissue paper can cause further irritation. Peeing in the shower leaves you clean and fresh without further intervention.

The Case Against Peeing in the Shower if You Have Urinary Incontinence

Conditioning the Brain to Associate Urges with Sound of Running Water

The biggest argument against peeing while standing in the shower is the possibility of creating a link between running water and urination.

Over time, your brain might start to connect the sound of water with peeing. This could potentially trigger intense urges at more difficult times, like while washing dishes or hearing a tap running.

This conditioning could make incontinence symptoms worse by making it harder to control urges when exposed to similar sounds. Imagine leaking urine, just because someone runs the tap to make a cuppa!

Potential Weakening of Pelvic Floor Control

Urinating in the shower might also prevent you from fully engaging your pelvic floor muscles, which are crucial for supporting bladder control.

The relaxed nature of showering could make it easier to bypass the intentional engagement of these muscles. In the long run, avoiding regular bladder control techniques (such as consciously waiting for the toilet) may impact your pelvic floor strength.

It's Gross To Pee in the Shower

Some people think that peeing on the shower floor is disgusting. After all, urine is excreted waste from our body and peeing on your feet is putting that waste all over you.

Our view is that it is being massively diluted and rinsed away immediately. And certainly no worse than the hair and skin cells that we scrub off or lose in the shower.

Making the Right Choice for You

Ultimately, whether or not to pee in the shower is a personal choice that depends on your specific symptoms, outlook and lifestyle.

If you find that shower urination helps you feel more comfortable, it may be an occasional option.

However, if you’re actively managing stress incontinence, urge incontinence or overactive bladder through pelvic floor exercises or bladder retraining, you might want to avoid peeing in the shower to prevent reinforcing unintended urges.

If you’re looking for guidance on strengthening your pelvic floor, our blog has resources on exercises, lifestyle habits, and practical tools to help manage urinary incontinence.  You may also enjoy these recent articles:

• Can a prolapse fall out completely?
• Tips for using kegel weights to strengthen your pelvic floor
• Can holding your pee actually train your bladder?

Have thoughts on this topic? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.  Any questions? Just email us at support@secretwhispers.co.uk and we will get straight back to you. 

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About the Author: Secret Whispers was founded by Julie Colan, a passionate mum and health advocate who saw the need for effective pelvic floor solutions. Now, Helen Rankin, the founder of Cheeky Wipes and Cheeky Pants—known for her award-winning work in sustainable product development—has taken the helm at Secret Whispers. Helen is committed to advancing the company’s mission, believing that women shouldn’t have to accept incontinence as a given. With the innovative Secret Whispers Kegel weights, she aims to offer every woman an effective, reusable solution for pelvic floor health. Try them and take control of your wellness journey today!