An American urologist has warned about the habit of peeing in the shower due to the long-term harm that it could cause to the body.
Dr. Teresa Irwin previously pointed out in her TikTok video that urinating in the shower could eventually lead to an inability to control urination, especially increasing the risk in women, as reported by Kwong Wah.
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Pavlov’s dog experiment
In the video, Irwin explained that peeing in the shower too often might actually train your brain to link the sound of running water with needing to pee.
She said this kind of mix-up could eventually make you feel like peeing every time you hear water, and in serious cases, it might even lead to accidental leaks or loss of bladder control.
She likened the effect to the famous “Pavlov’s dog experiment,” where dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell after repeatedly associating it with food.
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Why is the risk higher for women?
Irwin warned that forming these kinds of associations could eventually lead to difficulty controlling urination, with women being at higher risk.
According to Kwong Wah, she explained that men’s pelvic structure provides better support for squatting, which helps promote healthy urination posture. In another video, however, she pointed out that for women, peeing while standing in the shower can actually be beneficial, as it allows for more complete bladder emptying.
However, she emphasised that it’s still generally not recommended to do it regularly, as it can train your brain to associate the sound of running water with the urge to pee.
Kwong Wah also reported that over time, peeing in the shower can cause urine retention, raise the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), and even lead to other bladder-related problems.
With that said, Irwin strongly recommends that everyone, regardless of gender, get into the habit of urinating only in the toilet, as avoiding environmental triggers like running water can help maintain long-term bladder control.
