There are times when using a public restroom isn’t ideal, but if you have to go, you have to go. To avoid actually touching the toilet seat, many women choose to hover over it. (Do you think squats at the gym are difficult?)
You may be avoiding contact with toilet seat germs, but you’ve probably never thought about how peeing this way affects your pelvic floor. Urologists have some insightful thoughts on this that every woman should know. Read on to know the facts.
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What do urologists think about peeing on the toilet seat?
Samantha Pulliam, MD, URPS, a urologist and chief medical officer at Axena Health, points out what anyone who has ever peed on a toilet seat already knows. “It’s more difficult to pee this way than actually sitting on the toilet seat.” “Hovering over the toilet can make it difficult to urinate because you’re not able to fully relax all the muscles in your pelvic floor,” she says.
You may have never thought about the muscles involved when you pee, but you’re working them every time you pee. “The pelvic floor is made up of several muscles that provide a ‘cage’ to support the pelvic organs. By contracting and relaxing, they facilitate the elimination of urine and feces and support a variety of bodily functions, from breathing to sex to posture. If hovering prevents some of these muscles from relaxing, you may not be able to fully empty your bladder,” Dr. Pulliam says.
Dr. Pulliam explains that when you’re hovering over the toilet, your pelvic floor muscles are needed to help your body maintain that position. This is done by squeezing them, but they must be relaxed in order to urinate. That’s why it’s harder to pee when you’re hovering over the toilet.
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Kathleen Kobashi, MD, MBA, FACS, a urologist at Houston Methodist University, says hovering over the toilet can further increase pelvic floor tension. Like Dr. Pulliam, she says this can make it more difficult to urinate. But more research is needed to actually prove this to be true, she says.
Dr. Kobashi says that if hovering makes it difficult to empty the bladder, it can lead to the development of a urinary tract infection (UTI), as not being able to empty the bladder completely is a risk factor for developing a urinary tract infection. states that it is possible. (However, she stresses that the jury is still out on whether hovering over a toilet actually causes this.) Dr. Pulliam agrees, saying, “Hovering causes urinary tract infections. “Hovering over the toilet can cause some of your pelvic floor muscles to tense up. Your bladder may not empty completely, which can lead to a urinary tract infection.”
Dr. Pulliam explains that leftover urine can become a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections. “If you were in the airport bathroom a few hours ago, don’t worry. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a UTI tomorrow, it just increases your risk. Frequent hovering can increase your risk. It’s sexual,” she says.
Related: How many times a day is it “normal” to pee?
What to do instead of hovering over the toilet
If all this has discouraged you from the habit of hovering over the toilet, you’re probably wondering what’s the most hygienic way to pee in a public restroom.
Should I really sit down in the seat? “We’ve all been there, and depending on the environment, hovering is sometimes necessary,” Dr. Pulliam says. If you’re hovering over a toilet seat, use your quads instead of your butt, she says. This avoids disrupting your pelvic floor muscles, as using your quadriceps forces you to maintain a hovering position, and when you urinate, you need to relax.
“Another option is to use toilet seat covers. They are becoming increasingly available, but you can also carry your own. Carry disinfectant wipes so you can wipe down the seat before use. ,” says Dr. Pulliam.
It’s not that big of a deal to hover over the toilet to pee every once in a while, but if it happens regularly and you’re not able to fully empty your bladder because of it, try a toilet seat cover. It’s worth considering using . Instead, use disinfectant wipes to avoid germs. This will make it easier for you to go and allow you to empty your bladder completely. Take it from your urologist!
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RELATED: Can a urinary tract infection cause back pain?
source of information
Dr. Samantha J. Pulliam, URPS, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts Medical School, Chief Medical Officer, Axena Health, Inc.
Dr. Kathleen Kobashi, MD, MBA, FACS, Houston Methodist Urologist
