Peeing in the Shower: Why Doctors Say Women Should Think Twice

In the experiment, dogs eventually learned to associate the sound of a bell with food. After the association was established, simply hearing the bell could trigger a physical response—even when food was not present.

Something similar can happen with the sound of running water.

As Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas explains:

“If you pee in the shower or turn on the faucet, or turn on the shower and then sit on the toilet while the water’s running, you are creating an association in your brain between the sound of running water and having to pee.”

In other words, repeatedly urinating while hearing running water could potentially teach your brain to associate that sound with the urge to urinate.

What Could Happen?

For some people, particularly those who already have pelvic floor dysfunction, this association could become problematic.

Over time, the sound of running water might trigger an unexpected urge to urinate. That could happen when you turn on a faucet, hear a shower running, or even hear a toilet flush.

Another concern is whether you are fully emptying your bladder.

According to Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas, certain positions can prevent the pelvic floor from relaxing properly while urinating. She explains:

“Even in this Captain Morgan pose [one leg up high] your pelvic floor isn’t going to relax appropriately, which means that you aren’t going to be emptying your bladder super well.”

If the bladder does not empty completely on a regular basis, it can contribute to urinary problems.

What About Squatting in the Shower?

Some people may wonder whether changing position makes peeing in the shower safer.

Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas addressed this question in a follow-up video. Her general recommendation remains the same: it is better to avoid urinating while showering.