To pee or not to pee, the benefits and risks of doing it in the shower

To pee or not to pee, that is the question for the shower: Is it nobler in the mind to conserve water and save time, or is it better to follow traditional ways?

The answer to that question is not so cut and dry… read on to find out why.

Around 27% of the average American’s water use is through the toilet, according to PSCI Princeton. How much water each flush consumes depends on the toilet, but older toilets can use up to seven gallons per flush.

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Peeing in the shower cuts the need for that flush, which is especially important in drought-stricken areas.

Furthermore, tt is estimated that 27,000 trees are cut down every day just to make toilet paper.

According to the US organization Natural Resources Defense Council, this contributes to deforestation, habitat loss, water pollution, and global warming.

If you pee in the shower, you are sparing your toilet from potential ick. Backsplash or bad aim may mean urine gets where the water can’t wash it off.

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So let's get real, if you pee in the shower, there’s a better chance it will all be washed down the drain.

When women use toilet paper, it absorbs some urine. Yet, as New York surgeon Dr. Evan Goldstein told Insider, it's not the most hygienic option.

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When men urinate, drips of pee can also linger and get on underwear. On the other hand, when peeing in the shower, it's easy to direct water to specific areas and wash away even trace amounts of pee.

Rushing to work in the morning? Got places to be? Things to do? Taking a whizz while showering kills two birds with one stone and clearly shaves off some bathroom time in a pinch.

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Given that it helps save on water bills, toilet paper, and some cleaning supplies, peeing in the shower may be an out-of-the-box way to cut down bills amid high inflation.

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While there are some risks, doctors like Niket Sonpal, a board-certified internist in New York, say peeing in the shower is usually safe.

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Speaking to The Healthy, Dr. Sonpal recommends rising off legs and the shower with soap and water just in case. The common assumption that urine is be sterile is not true.

Although it contains dozens of types of bacteria, Healthline says it's unlikely that healthy urine would cause an infection if it gets in a wound or on skin.

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However, if you have a urinary tract infection or yeast infection, doctors say it’s definitely best to stick to the toilet.

Pelvic floor therapist Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas is an outspoken opponent of shower pees. One of the reasons it’s bad, she told her 400,000 TikTok followers, is that it conditions you to associate the sound of water with peeing.

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Like Pavlov’s Dog salivates at stimuli, your bladder could behave similarly and want to go every time you hear water (even if your pants are on).

For the bladder to empty completely, the pelvis flood has to relax, which is hard to achieve for women standing, Stephanie Taylor of Kegel8 told Glamour. However, experts say women can get around this drawback by popping a squat in the shower.

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While peeing in the shower saves the toilet from splatter, the shower isn’t built for peeing. That means if urine isn’t washed away properly, it can cause issues like a funky smell.

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Also, watch out for any shower curtains that could absorb your urine. If you’re a consistent shower pee-er, be sure to clean your shower frequently, paying extra attention to cleaning and deodorizing the drain.

On the famous American sitcom 'Seinfeld,' George Costanza got a dirty look after being caught peeing in the shower at his gym. "What was I supposed to do? Get out of the shower, put on my bathrobe, go all the way to the elevator, come all the way back?" His friends did not support his justification.

Image: NBC via Reddit

Later in the show, George and Elaine got into another fight about the shower pee. George says "I saw a drain… it’s all pipes! What’s the difference?" Elaine argues that "different pipes go to different places." So, who is right?

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According to Ken’s Plumbing, George was more right. If a house is connected to a sewer system, every drain (toilet, shower, dishwasher, etc.) is connected to a single main pipe that moves used water to the sewer and then to the wastewater treatment plant.

Image: NBC via Reddit

The Today Show found 75% of Americans polled admitted to peeing in the shower. If you belong to that not-so-exclusive club, you have a lot of reasons to be proud. But, if you're having concerns with bladder control, have an infection, or are using a public shower, experts say it's best to stick to the bowl.