A doctor has issued a warning against the common habit of urinating in the shower, cautioning that it could lead to unwanted bladder associations. Dr Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, known on TikTok as @ScrambledJam, explained that peeing in the shower can train the brain to link the sound of running water with the urge to urinate.
Dr Jeffrey-Thomas said: 'We want to avoid training our bladder to associate certain signals with the urge to pee. In this case, peeing in the shower associates the sound of running water with urination or with submersion in water.' She warned this could extend to other sounds like running a tap or washing dishes, and even being in bodies of water.
The doctor also advised against 'peeing just in case', describing it as a bad habit that is not beneficial for the pelvic floor. She cautioned against pushing out urine and hovering over the toilet. Additionally, she recommended that pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, should only be performed after consulting a specialist.
For those experiencing leaks, the NHS suggests several measures to prevent urinary incontinence. These include pelvic floor exercises, stopping smoking, avoiding heavy lifting, doing Pilates, losing excess weight, treating constipation, and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake. The NHS also advises drinking enough fluids, as limiting fluid intake can reduce bladder capacity and worsen incontinence.
The health body added: 'Avoid spicy and acidic foods, such as curries and citrus fruits, as they can irritate the bladder and make leaks and other incontinence symptoms worse.'
