To pee in the shower or not to pee? That's the question that has long divided the nation.
But now, thanks to an article published on Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle blog, Goop, there's a great reason to do your business in the shower: your sex life.
Squatting and urinating while you shower can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles. And this, says Lauren Roxburgh, a structural integrative specialist, is "the key to great sex".
Umm, sure.
The pelvic floor muscles are located between the legs, and run from the pubic bone at the front to the base of your spine at the back.
The muscles are "shaped like a sling", according to the NHS, and hold the pelvic organs including the uterus, vagina, bowel and bladder, in place.
As women age, their pelvic floor muscles can weaken - which can result in urinary incontinence and reduced sensitivity during sex.
Offering tips for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, Goop suggests "peeing in the shower" while squatting down.
"When you squat to pee as opposed to sitting up straight on the toilet, you automatically engage your pelvic floor and it naturally stretches and tones," reads the site.
"Because your urethra is pointed straight down in this position all you have to do is relax for urine to flow out easily—as opposed to sitting up straight and having to strain to empty your bladder."
SEE ALSO:
Pelvic Floor Weakness - Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Yoga Programme To Strengthen Pelvic Floor Could Help Women With Urinary Incontinence
This news, of course, isn't groundbreaking. In fact it's long been known that doing "kegel exercises" can strengthen the pelvic floor and improve sex.
For those who don't fancy squatting down and opening the flood gates in the shower. Here's what you can do:
1. Contract and release the muscles in the pelvic area, squeezing them for 5-10 seconds and then relaxing for 5 seconds each time.
Tip - The most important thing is to locate the muscles you're trying to strengthen, and to get used to the sensation of exercising them. The best way of doing this is to try to stop your urine mid-flow when you go to the loo. If you do this successfully then you've found the muscles you're looking for.
2. Repeat the cycle of contracting and relaxing ten times per session, and try to fit in three sessions per day.
3. If done properly, you should notice a difference (enhanced sensation during sex and less leakage) in 4-6 weeks.
