‘Unsafe’: Doctor warns against common shower act

It’s something we’re all likely guilty of, but a leading doctor has said this common shower habit could be wreaking havoc on our bodies.

It will probably come as no surprise to you that people pee in the shower.

In fact, statistics show that 61 per cent of people engage in this multi-tasking habit.

But while emptying your bladder when nature calls may seem harmless, it turns out that urinating while standing up can cause long-term harm, especially for women.

Dr Zac, a prominent Australian GP, has warned that this shower act is particularly concerning if it becomes routine.

Peeing in the shower isn't without its risks. Picture: iStock

UTI risks from urinating in the shower

Firstly, it’s a common misconception that urine is sterile, because even healthy people have bacteria in their urine, says Dr Zac.

Therefore, when you urinate in the shower, you may be spreading bacteria over your skin, feet, and other areas (particularly if there’s a cut or broken skin barrier), which could increase your risk of reinfection or spreading urinary tract bacteria.

This risk is higher if you are already dealing with a UTI, as that urine contains more bacteria.

It’s also more concerning for women, who are four times more likely to develop a UTI than men.

Leading GP, Dr Zac, has shared how it can affect people, particularly women. Picture: iStock

Urinating position linked to pelvic health issues

While hygiene and infection risks are important, there’s an additional aspect – how your urination position affects your pelvic health.

For women, standing to urinate, such as in the shower, can interfere with complete bladder emptying.

“The female body is designed to urinate in a seated or squatting position — this allows the pelvic floor muscles to fully relax and the bladder to empty effectively,” explains Dr Zac.

“When standing upright in the shower, those muscles may stay partially engaged, meaning the bladder may not fully empty.”

Over time, this incomplete emptying can strain the bladder and potentially cause issues like residual urine, bacterial growth, or urgency problems.

The brain-bladder reflex

If you find yourself needing to urinate whenever you hear running water, it might be because you’ve conditioned your brain-bladder reflex through habitual shower urination.

“You can condition the bladder to feel urgency when it’s not actually full — leading to an overactive bladder or urge incontinence over time,” he adds.

This phenomenon is well documented in bladder retraining studies and in research involving patients with functional urinary disorders.

A 2022 study used Pavlovian theory (from Pavlov’s famous dog experiments) to explain how repeated exposure to cues like being in a shower can increase urinary urgency, even if the bladder isn’t full.

The shower habit can lead to increased urgency and other urinary problems. Picture: iStock

What are the signs that something might be wrong?

While it may seem convenient, urinating in the shower could be causing more damage than you realise.

So, how can you tell if your bathroom routines are affecting your bladder or urinary health?

“One of the first and most obvious signs of a urinary tract infection is a stinging or burning sensation when urinating,” says Dr Zac. “It’s caused by inflammation and irritation of the urethral lining due to bacterial overgrowth. If you feel this, especially after changing your toilet habits, it’s a warning sign.”

Going to the toilet more often than usual is another clear indication that something isn’t right.

“If you feel like you can’t hold it, this could mean your bladder is irritated, inflamed, or conditioned into urgency,” he explains. “This might be due to overtraining the bladder reflex, or it could signal the start of a UTI. Either way, it’s worth consulting your GP or pelvic health physiotherapist.”

There are a few signs to look out for that show your bladder has been affected by your shower habit. Picture: iStock

Leaking urine, especially during exercise, laughter, or sneezing, is known as “stress incontinence”, and is another sign of weakened pelvic floor muscles — possibly from habitual urination while standing.

Signs of infection or inflammation in your bladder or kidneys may also be another indicator, and include pelvic discomfort or lower back pain, particularly if a UTI has spread.

If these symptoms are accompanied by fever, nausea, or vomiting, it could be a kidney infection, which needs urgent antibiotics.

“Cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine are more classic infection signs. Blood in the urine should always be taken seriously and checked by a doctor — even if it appears just once,” warns Dr Zac.

So while the occasional shower wee is likely safe for most, making it a daily habit, especially for women, is probably not the best idea.

Originally published as ‘Unsafe’: Doctor warns against common shower act