Renowned urologist recommends men to urinate sitting down, why?

In the case of personal hygiene habits, there are specific customs that men have maintained for years without query. One among them is urinating standing up. Nonetheless, Gerald Collins, a consultant urological surgeon on the Alexandra Hospital in Cheshire (England), stated in an interview that men should opt to urinate sitting down.

Why is this alteration beneficial? In this text, we’ll explore the explanations behind the doctor’s suggestion and the advantages this practice can bring to men’s health.

Nonetheless, it’s vital to notice that it’s all the time advisable to seek the advice of with an expert to deal with any concerns related to your urinary health.

Most men prefer to urinate standing up

Collins’ suggestion is supported by a report by YouGov report on male voiding practices. Based on a survey of greater than 7,000 men in 13 countries, the info evaluation company found that most men urinate standing up.

It also found that 33% of British men said they might never consider sitting down, while only 9% all the time sit all the way down to urinate. Then again, men in Mexico and Poland made clear their unwillingness to urinate sitting down. In Mexico, for instance, only 6% all the time sit to urinate, while 36% said they might “never” accomplish that.

One other revealing finding within the report is that older men are more reluctant to take a seat than younger men. That is possibly on account of an entrenched notion through the years that it’s “more masculine” to urinate standing up.

The study also showed striking cultural differences. For instance, 40% of German men said they “all the time” urinate sitting down, compared with 10% of Americans and 5% of Singaporeans.

Why should men urinate sitting down?

Having explored the statistics on male urination practices around the globe, it’s time to deal with the elemental query: why should men urinate sitting down? In the next section, we’ll examine intimately the explanations behind the English doctor’s suggestion.

It could help empty the bladder effectively

Throughout the interview for The Telegraph, Dr. Collins stressed that sitting to urinate may very well be considered “probably the most effective way” to accomplish that. It’s because the pelvic muscles are relaxed, which might facilitate the urination process.

Sitting may even turn out to be more useful as men age. It’s because of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition is characterised by the expansion of the prostate gland and surrounding tissue, which causes an obstruction within the urethra and makes urination difficult. A rise in a particular breakdown product of testosterone is answerable for the cell growth, the English physician explained.

BPH becomes more prevalent as men age. Victims are more susceptible to complications, similar to bladder stones and urinary tract infections.

From the age of 40 onwards, it’s common for the prostate gland to experience a rise in size.

So, men may find that urinating in a seated position is more comfortable in the event that they have BPH. Coinciding with this angle, researchers at Leiden University (The Netherlands) also support the concept that urinating while sitting down could also be useful. In a paper published within the journal Plos One, they revealed that this posture facilitates complete and faster emptying of the bladder.

It’s more hygienic

The second reason why men are encouraged to urinate sitting down is expounded to hygiene. Standing urination can generate splashing, which requires additional toilet cleansing.

By urinating while seated, the opportunity of unwanted splashing is minimized, leading to a more hygienic experience that’s less susceptible to the spread of germs. This is particularly relevant in shared environments, similar to public restrooms or family bathrooms.

Then again, based on a report by The Guardian, two U.S. engineering professors conducted research on the splashback phenomenon and discovered shocking results.

In accordance with their findings, when urine leaves the urethra, it comes out as a stream, but, at a distance of between 5 and 10 centimeters 2 to 4 inches, it begins to interrupt into droplets. These collide with one another, generating what’s generally known as “satellite droplets”, which splash at wide angles.

As well as, if feces are present in the bathroom, these droplets are prone to contain Escherichia coli bacteria. These collisions, together with splashes from hitting the bathroom water from a substantial height, can disperse urine in all areas of the toilet. Even in your toothbrush!

A shift toward comfort

Although urinating standing up has been a typical practice for a lot of men, it’s vital to think about the advantages of doing so sitting down. The English urologist’s suggestion to go for this position may help improve urination.

While the ultimate selection is as much as the person, it’s value considering the potential health advantages. And do not forget that it’s all the time vital to seek the advice of a physician for personalized advice on any urinary health concerns.

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