Pee stands for health, is it okay or dangerous?

It is a hereditary habit that men urinate in a standing position. This also seems to be supported by hanging urological disposal facilities, such as those found in malls, offices, and public places.

However, various studies related to the position of urination have had mixed results. So, what is the correct position for urinating and is there any danger of standing pee for men?

Danger of standing pee position

A number of researchers in the Urology Department at Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands, collected and analyzed 11 studies that compared the effects of the sitting or squatting urinating position with the standing pee position.

There are three things that are observed as markers of normal urination, namely the rate of urinary rate, the time it takes to urinate, and finally the amount of urine left in the bladder. These three factors determine the body's ability to excrete urine.

This research was conducted in two groups. The first group was healthy men, while the second group consisted of men with lower urinary tract disorders.

The result, in healthy men, found no significant difference or danger between standing pee position with pee squatting. Neither standing up peeing nor squatting, neither of them had any effect on this group.

Meanwhile, the analysis report states that people with lower urinary tract disorders actually benefit when urinating while squatting. They are better able to empty their bladder with only 25 milliliters of urine left in the organ.

Men with lower urinary tract disorders also have less time to urinate if they squat instead of standing. The mean difference was 0.62 seconds shorter than standing pee.

The position of urinating initially is also thought to have an effect on the risk of prostate cancer and the quality of sex. However, this conjecture was not proven in the study. There does not appear to be a direct link between urinary position and cancer risk or sex quality.

Standing urine is a risk of urinary tract infection

If there is anything to worry about from the habit of peeing standing up, maybe it is the risk of spreading bacteria from the urine. When peeing standing up, urine can stick to the urinal tiles or turn into small splashes that can spread everywhere.

Bacteria from the urine can pass to other people and cause urinary tract infections, especially the lower part, which includes the bladder and urethra. Below are some of the symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection.

Pain or burning when urinating.
The feeling of wanting to urinate constantly and cannot be held back.
Discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen.
The color of the urine is cloudy, sometimes even urine mixed with blood.
The body feels tired, unwell, and has aches.
A feeling that urine is not completely passed after urinating.

Lower urinary tract disorders resolve on their own, but often patients need whole urine infection medication. If left untreated, the infection may spread to the ureters or even the kidneys.

Benefits of peeing while squatting

Squatting urine may not do much for a healthy man. However, this habit is beneficial for people with lower urinary tract infections who usually have trouble emptying their bladder.

When people with lower urinary tract disorders urinate while standing, their body tries hard to maintain an upright spine. This position will activate many of the muscles near the hips and pelvis.

This condition is different from when you pee while squatting or sitting. The position of peeing while squatting can relax the back and hips muscles, making the urination process easier.

In addition, when you urinate while squatting, this position is the same as when you are defecating. Your bladder is at the right angle and is getting more of the pressure it needs to allow all the urine to pass out of the body without a trace.

Your stomach will also apply additional pressure to optimize the flow of urine from the bladder. If urine comes out of the bladder completely, this will clear bacteria from the urinary tract and reduce the risk of infection.

Do healthy men also need to pee sitting?

In light of previous research reports, the researchers suggest that men with lower urinary tract disorders urinate in a sitting position. This habit will help pass urine more quickly and thoroughly.

For the same reason, healthy men may actually get in the habit of peeing while sitting or squatting. However, you can still pee standing up if the situation is not possible, for example when you are in a full public toilet.

The position of peeing while standing or squatting does not really affect the ability to empty the urine or the speed of urine flow. Even so, if you do need to pee while standing up, make sure you keep the toilet and urinal clean to prevent urinary tract infections.