Why We Rush to Pee & What Is Power Peeing?
You have a job, kids, friends, a life. There are appointments, deadlines, obligations. It’s not uncommon for you to be moving at the speed of light. You may strain or push a little harder when you urinate, just to finish quickly. No big deal, you think. Maybe someone is knocking on the door in a public restroom. You feel anxious and squeeze that last bit of urine out hard. Perhaps you don’t even have to urinate, but you know you will be out for hours with no public restroom nearby. Sometimes the only options are gross ones. You use the clean bathroom at home and barely anything comes out. Still, you don’t want to feel uncomfortable later.
While these may seem like harmless things to do, they can actually hurt you. Pushing your pee out forcefully is called “power peeing,” notes Everyday Health, and despite the name, there’s no power in it at all: It can strain the pelvic floor muscles, which may result in pelvic floor dysfunction. It can even cause pelvic organ prolapse, says VeryWell Health. It’s important to understand how power peeing can affect your pelvic floor health.
Why “Just in Case” Peeing Isn’t Harmless
Meanwhile, peeing when you don’t really have to is not a good idea either, as you may eventually have to pee more often, according to urologist Lamia Gabal. This could train your bladder to have the sensation of needing to pee when you ingest less liquid than usual. That isn’t something you want.
How to Stop Peeing When You Don’t Feel the Urge
How then do you stop peeing when you don’t feel the urge?
Start with some simple research. Toilet apps that tell you where the nearest bathrooms are are a must before planning any trip. Here are a few trusted by the National Association for Continence. A good rule of thumb is to know where your local Starbucks, cafes, restaurants, libraries, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Targets, parks, and community centers are. These generally have working public bathrooms, although you may need to purchase something. (Or want to purchase something to support the store.) While you should always be well-hydrated, you may need to steer clear of carbonated beverages and alcohol, bladder irritants, or liquids that will encourage excess urination. If you urinate before you leave the house (also known as JICing, or “just in case” voiding) because of fear of incontinence, you may feel more secure with an incontinence pad or panty liner.
How to Avoid Power Peeing
To avoid power peeing, it’s helpful to determine if you absolutely can’t go without pushing or if it’s just a matter of bad habits. If you can’t go without pushing, that can be a medical issue like a UTI or bad constipation, which needs to be treated appropriately. If it’s more of an issue where you are doing it to save time, then The National Association for Continence provides some guidance on how to urinate. You should be in the correct voiding position (knees elevated and supported above the hips on a stool or yoga blocks and leaning slightly forward). It may sound weird to have to learn how to go to the bathroom all over again as an adult, but it’s worth taking some time to educate yourself.
A Gentle Reminder
You may save a few seconds by power peeing. You might avoid a trip to a less-than-clean public bathroom by urinating at home. But you could also spend more time at your doctor’s or pelvic floor therapist’s as a consequence. Everyday habits play a vital role in keeping your body working properly. Take them seriously and treat your body gently. Take it easy on the toilet and in everything you do. Your body will thank you!