The doctor explains why you should never pee in the shower

It’s literally her rule no. 1.

Houston-based OB-GYN Emma Qureshey took to TikTok on Wednesday to share the three things she would never do in the interest of gynecological health: pee in the shower, treat a vaginal infection with garlic cloves or yogurt, and ignore of disturbing symptoms.

She says: “The first thing I would never do is pee in the shower, or more importantly, pee on my feet.”

Qureshey says people promote the practice as better for the environment, claiming it saves over 5,000 gallons of water a year — but she finds those benefits aren’t worth the downsides.

“It’s a, not very hygienic, but more importantly, it will destroy your pelvic floor and it can also create mental associations where you hear the water running and all of a sudden you have to run to the bathroom,” Qureshey explained. .

Qureshey’s reasoning is echoed by physical therapist Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, who previously shared the downsides of getting a shower noise in a viral TikTok.

“If you pee in the shower, or turn on the faucet, or turn on the shower and then sit on the toilet to pee while the shower is running, you’re making a connection in the brain between the sound of running water and going to pee,” she said. .

This connection can cause “flow problems” when you hear water running, Jeffrey-Thomas said, adding that the position is also not conducive to pelvic floor relaxation.

“Your pelvic floor won’t relax properly, which means you won’t empty your bladder very well,” Jeffrey-Thomas said.

Regarding empty bladders, fellow TikToker and physical therapist Sabrina Baxter argues that you should only go when really you have to go, “When you’re going to leave the house and you’re like, ‘I don’t need to pee, but I might have to pee so I’m going to pee’ … if you do that often, your bladder isn’t filling up.” never properly.”

She continued, “It’s not filling up to capacity. You’re peeing when it’s half full. So you may have the urge to urinate more often because it’s only filling halfway… You’re basically sensitizing your body to work at lower volumes than it should.”

Later in her video, Qureshey advised people to avoid home remedies and suppositories like garlic and yogurt, “These things won’t treat whatever infection you’re dealing with and can make things worse.”

She pleads with patients: “Before you go lifting things up, talk to your doctor, please.”

Qureshey also urged her followers not to let embarrassment or fear stop them from seeking medical treatment.

She assured viewers that she and her fellow practitioners have “seen it all, heard it all, smelled it all… We’re not judging them. Talk to your doctor.”