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Are you also one of those people who have the habit of urinating while standing? Nowadays it seems very normal, but have you ever wondered why our ancestors used to urinate while sitting? Science has revealed this.
These days a viral message is circulating on social media that urinating while standing is dangerous. It is being claimed that this does not empty the bladder completely and the remaining urine causes infection. In the long run, this can even lead to prostate cancer. This is the reason why our grandfathers and great grandfathers used to urinate while sitting. But is it true?
First of all, let us make it clear that prostate cancer has no direct relation with urinating while standing. Many fact checks and medical experts have called it a myth. The main causes of prostate cancer are age, family history, genetics, diet and lifestyle. Posture has no role in this. But the position of urination definitely affects bladder health and urinary tract. In such a situation, it is better to urinate while sitting.
What does the study say?
An important study was conducted in 2014 at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, in which a meta-analysis was done by combining 11 researches. The result was that in healthy men, urinating while standing or sitting made no difference – there was no difference in bladder emptying, flow rate or residual urine. But in men who have lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia – BPH), urinating while sitting helps empty the bladder better. By urinating while sitting, an average of 25 ml less urine is saved, the flow rate increases and it takes less time. Residual urine (post-void residual) can cause bacteria to grow in the bladder, which can lead to urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder stones, or other problems. BPH is especially common in men above 50 years of age, which affects urine flow due to enlargement of the prostate. In such a situation, sitting proves beneficial because the pelvic muscles get relaxed.
What do experts say?
Many urologists recommend that if you have problems like difficulty in urination, frequent urination, weak flow or waking up at night, then you can try urinating while sitting. This simple change can help manage LUTS. But for healthy youth, standing or sitting – both ways are fine. Now the question arises that why did our ancestors urinate while sitting? In olden times, squatting toilets were common, where one had to sit or squat. This is considered a natural position which helps in emptying the bladder completely. After the advent of modern western toilets, it became convenient to urinate while standing. It has other benefits also. Urinating while sitting keeps the toilet clean and reduces splashes. Also, the risk of falling is less in the elderly.
