It’s Generally OK To Pee in the Shower — With a Few Exceptions

To pee or not to pee: That is the question.

When it comes to peeing in the shower, everybody’s got an opinion. But before debating the etiquette of it, it’s important to know whether it’s safe. Urologist Neel Parekh, MD, provides a steady stream of advice.

Is peeing in the shower safe?

In most cases, for most people, it’s OK to pee in your own shower with the water running. At least, it’s OK medically.

“Urine is mostly water,” Dr. Parekh explains. “While it’s not sterile, the bacteria counts in healthy urine are fairly low. And it’s your own bacteria. So, as long as you’re cleaning your shower regularly, there’s no major health risk associated with peeing in the shower.”

Reasonable people can disagree about the merits of adding a sprinkle of tinkle to your bathing routine. But whether it’s safe is another matter.

“It’s definitely safe to pee in your shower,” Dr. Parekh says.

Of course, with every rule, there are exceptions. We’ll get to those in a bit.

Is it bad for the plumbing?

Peeing in the shower shouldn’t clog or corrode the metal or PVC pipes that make up your home plumbing system. That makes sense because the cleaning products you use in your shower are far harsher than your urine.

It’s also important to remember that the pipes in your house usually have a common drain line. So, if it can go in a toilet, it can go in your shower.

“Modern plumbing is designed to handle human waste, whether it’s urine or solid waste from toilets,” Dr. Parekh explains. “Plus, your urine is diluted and watered down when it’s going down the drain.”

There’s one important caveat: Only pee in the shower when the water’s running. In addition to being unhygienic, leaving standing urine in your shower could damage or stain the grout.

Are there any health risks?

Although it’s generally safe to take a whiz in your shower, it can be riskier if you have certain medical conditions or you’re using a public shower. Reconsider letting loose if:

• You have a contagious infection: Healthy urine doesn’t have a lot of bacteria in it. But those counts can go up if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), a staph infection, a streptococcal infection or certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• You have an open wound: According to Dr. Parekh, getting pee in an open wound could interfere with the healing process and might even make the injury worse.
• You have issues with urge incontinence: “If you pee in the shower all the time, you may train your body to feel that urge to urinate when you hear water running,” Dr. Parekh notes.
• You share the shower with other people: You can’t assume everyone who uses shower facilities wears shoes to protect against infections. Keeping shared showers pee-free is an easy way to help keep others safe. It’s also the courteous thing to do.

Is peeing in the shower bad for your pelvic floor?

Whether peeing in the shower is bad for your pelvic floor is a subject of debate in the medical world — a debate that hinges on the fact that you shower standing up.

“We typically recommend that both men and women sit with your legs apart when you pee at home,” Dr. Parekh says. “It allows you to relax your pelvic floor muscles more easily. That minimizes straining or pushing, which makes it more likely that you’ll empty your bladder completely.”

If you take warm or hot showers, it’s likely that your muscles will be relaxed enough to pee standing up without a problem. Still, it may be a good idea to hold it if you have:

• Problems with urinary retention
• Issues with urinary incontinence or leakage
• An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
• Weak pelvic floor or bladder muscles
• Recurrent UTIs

If you’re seeing a physical therapist for help rehabbing your pelvic floor muscles, ask them for advice based on your specific situation.

Final thoughts

Yes, peeing in the shower is efficient. And yes, it reduces your water usage — which is good news for both your wallet and the environment. But do those benefits outweigh the “ick” factor?

Ultimately, it’s a question of personal preference. So, when you’re in your own shower, you do you. Just be sure to check with anyone else who’s using it first. It’s always best to be on the same wee-wee wavelength.