Think hovering over public toilets keeps you safe? Doctors say it can trigger UTIs, bladder issues & more you'd never expect

Time of India

a day ago

What seems like a clean habit could be doing more harm than good. Hovering over public toilets to avoid germs, a common practice, especially among women, may feel safer, but doctors are now warning it could seriously impact
bladder health
.
Yes, say doctors. The half-squat position many adopt while avoiding direct contact with toilet seats may actually stop the bladder from emptying fully. Over time, this can cause urine retention,
urinary tract infections
(UTIs), and even long-term
pelvic floor problems
.
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'It causes increased bladder pressure and can raise the risk of UTIs, bladder irritation, and even long-term problems,' said Dr Nikhil Khattar, associate director, urology, PSRI Hospital, to TOI.
He explained that regularly urinating in this posture can train your bladder into a habit of incomplete emptying. 'This eventually leads to symptoms like frequent urgency, leakage, or difficulty emptying the bladder,' he said.
The Silent Damage You May Not Feel Yet
Retained urine becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risk of recurrent UTIs and, in some cases, even kidney infections.
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Avoiding unclean toilets by holding in urine isn't safe either. According to Dr Khattar, 'Whether you are holding your urine or not sitting properly while passing it, both habits harm the pelvic floor muscles and interfere with normal bladder emptying.'
Dr Neelam Suri, senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said full squatting, like on traditional
Indian toilets
, is far healthier.
'In a full squat, the pelvic muscles relax fully, making it easier to empty both the bladder and bowel,' she told TOI. 'Half-squatting or hovering keeps the muscles tense and doesn't allow proper urination.'
Women may hover out of fear of infection, but the posture itself can be more harmful than the toilet seat.
'Studies suggest that hovering increases the risk of
incomplete urination
and pelvic strain, which can lead to chronic issues,' Dr Suri told TOI.
Dr Gaurav Garg, senior consultant in urology at Max Smart Hospital, Saket, echoed this, saying many women with
stress incontinence
, where urine leaks during coughing or physical activity, don't realise it's linked to posture during urination.
Many still believe sitting on a public toilet seat directly causes UTIs. Doctors disagree.
'UTIs are primarily caused by bacteria like E. coli entering the urethra and multiplying in the urinary tract,' Dr Khattar told TOI. 'Poor hygiene, improper wiping, touching contaminated surfaces or not washing hands properly are bigger risks. The toilet seat itself is rarely the cause.'
Dr Atul Goswami, director of urology and uro-oncology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said that rather than hovering, women should consider using seat covers or sanitisers for safety.
'Touching the seat is not as dangerous as incomplete urination, which can cause real and lasting harm,' he said to TOI.
Doctors agree it's time to spread awareness and bust myths. What feels like the safer option may silently damage your bladder.
'We must spread the message that sitting properly and emptying the bladder fully is essential for good urinary health,' Dr Suri told TOI.
Inputs from TOI
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