Why Peeing in the Shower Is So Bad for Your b Pelvic Floor

How to keep your pelvic floor strong—and when to see a specialist.
Luckily, this problem has a simple fix—avoid standing or hovering while you pee, and sit down as much as you can, Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas says: “It’s kind of one of those ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’” situations, because “you can’t just Kegel your way out of bad bladder habits.” Showers are convenient and public toilets can seem gross, but your pelvic floor will thank you for taking the extra minute to actually sit down. (And in case you’re wondering: No, you can’t really catch anything from sitting on a toilet seat.)

In the meantime, exercises like yoga and Pilates can boost your bodily awareness and keep your pelvic floor strong. But any workout, really, can do the trick, Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas says, so long as you engage these muscles properly. She likes to describe the process as a “squeeze and a lift” and offers a helpful analogy: Imagine that there’s a blueberry sitting in your underwear and you want to scoop it up with your vagina. “It’s a very small movement,” Dr. Jeffrey-Thomas says. “It’s not incorporating your abs, glutes, or inner thighs. You’re not holding your breath.”

If you’re experiencing pain, frequent urine leaks, or an urgent need to pee when your bladder isn’t really full, then you should see a pelvic floor specialist to be evaluated, Dr. Rickey says. Although an expert can’t necessarily confirm that your pee habits are to blame, they can prescribe meds to relax your bladder muscles or refer you to a pelvic floor therapist depending on what’s going on. “A lot of women have bladder issues and think they’re the only ones” Dr. Rickey says. But remember that you’re not alone, and it’s more than okay to ask for help.