The six pee mistakes you’re likely to make as a woman

Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to empty your bladder.

If you don’t do it right, at best you’ll end up in constant toilet trips, and at worst you risk nasty infections – some of which can be life-threatening.

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We have spoken Prof Stergios Stelios DoumouchtsisSpecialist in obstetrics and gynecology and leading expert in urogynaecology.

He said the female anatomy makes women more prone to problems down there for a number of reasons.

First, their urethra (the tube through which urine flows) is shorter, making it easier for germs to travel upwards.

“From a biomechanical point of view, a shorter urethra also has a major impact on continence.

“If a woman has one urinary tract infection or urinary incontinence, compared to a man, she may have more accidents.”

Second, Prof Stergios told The Sun: “The woman’s life course is associated with many changes related to hormones and reproductive events, such as: pregnancy, birthafter childbirth and during menopause.”

In addition to aging, these can also lead to pelvic floor disorders such as prolapse, which can impair the functioning of the lower urinary tract.

Even so, it’s important for women to pay close attention to their urinary habits to prevent disorders and ensure they are treated quickly if they do occur.

1. Swipe back to front

Prof Stergios said: “It is important to avoid swiping from back to front.

“There is a rich bacterial flora around the anus and perianal areas, vagina, labia and genital tract.

“Mopping can transfer bacteria from one area to another.”

Wiping from back to front could move feces and bacteria from the back passage to the front, where the urethral opening is.

This is a quick way to invite a urinary tract infection, which can cause burning when urinating, pain, and a constant urge to use the toilet. It needs to be treated with antibiotics.

2. wipe too much

“Sometimes wiping can irritate very sensitive skin,” said Prof. Stergios.

“Sometimes wiping leaves residue from the toilet paper, which is less hygienic and can lead to irritation and possible infection, especially if that residue is left there for hours.

“This is due to using poor quality paper or excessive wiping.”

Keep it simple and only use a few sheets to gently wipe (NOT back to front!).

3. Set times to pee

Try not to make a habit of going to the bathroom “just in case” or the timing of toilet visits – unless instructed to do so by a specialist.

Dubbed “preventive voiding,” Prof. Stergios says it can be common in certain occupations.

For example, as a teacher, you are allowed to go to the bathroom at the same time every day (before each class), even if you don’t need to, to avoid the urge to urinate during class.

Prof Stergios warned: “The bladder can get used to not storing enough urine.

“The bladder would normally store at least 450-500ml. But if you go to the bathroom every half hour or hour, the bladder is used to storing smaller volumes, which can be 200mL or less.

“So the role of the bladder as a reservoir, as a storage organ, could be compromised. Then the bubble tells you to leave every hour, even if you don’t want to.”

Prof Stergios said there was no harm in holding your wee until you really had to go.

It doesn’t cause urinary tract infections as some might claim, otherwise the condition would be more prevalent in people like nurses and other healthcare professionals who work shifts and can’t always take regular breaks.

“Preventive voiding is acceptable as a cumbersome practice,” said Prof. Stergios.

For example, peeing before a long train ride or before watching a movie is acceptable.

“But doing it regularly out of habit is not a good habit.”

Sometimes habitual voiding is related to stress or anxiety and not just direct bladder problems.

4. Wait until you are desperate

While you shouldn’t make regular, habitual trips to the bathroom, you also don’t have to hold back your urine until you’re broke.

Prof Stergios said to go to the toilet when “your bladder is comfortably full and you have a strong craving”.

He explained the process of bladder filling: “The first signal is the first feeling of bladder filling.

“The second is the first wish when you start thinking about going to the toilet.

“Then you have a strong desire when you want to interrupt what you are doing, e.g. B. Pause a movie.

“Then you may feel ‘urgency’ when you feel an accident is imminent or you need to flee.

“You don’t have to reach this stage to experience urgency, because that could be an uncomfortable feeling.”

5. Drinking too much water

Prof. Stergios suggests drink gallons of water is not necessary, regardless of claims, it will help you achieve health improvements.

He said: “Normally 1.5 to 2.5 liters a day is good in this country. Of course, if you exercise a lot or it’s a hot day, it’s okay to drink more.

“I see a lot of women who carry around a bottle or water tank with 6 or 7 liters of water a day, believing that drinking too much is ‘good for you.’

“Fluid overload won’t help the bladder because it can cause polyuria, which means producing too much urine.

“It’s likely not to cause any health problems, but it will lead to more bathroom visits.”

He said the average number of trips to the bathroom during the day is six to eight, and one to two at night.

6. Your bladder is not completely emptied

You may not know your bladder is do not empty correct every time you use the toilet.

“There may be an underlying cause of voiding dysfunction,” said Prof Stergios.

“If the bladder does not empty properly, it can lead to urinary retention [also known as urinary retention] and lead to infection or bladder stones.

“Because infections can lead to sepsis or kidney infections, symptoms of incomplete voiding need to be evaluated by a specialist.”

Symptoms include a slow stream of urine, straining to urinate, intermittent stream, double or multiple urination in a row, and it takes a while for urination to start.

“The feeling of incomplete voiding is a feeling of fullness, even after you’ve used the toilet,” Prof Stergios said. “You may also have bloating over the pelvic area.”

You may sit on the toilet two, three, or even four times to feel like you’ve emptied your bladder.

“It can happen occasionally, but if it happens every time, there may be a cause.”

Causes can be some kind of blockage, such as B. a prolapse of the bladder or uterus or scarring of the urethra.