Let’s talk about something we all do every single day but rarely discuss out loud — peeing. Specifically, why women have been sitting (or awkwardly squatting) all their lives when standing up is actually a totally viable option. Yes, really.
Before you click away — hear us out. This isn’t just a novelty trick. There are some genuinely good reasons why peeing standing up could be a game-changer for women, whether you’re navigating a sketchy public restroom, roughing it on a hiking trail, or just curious about what you’ve been missing.
The Squat Struggle Is Real
If you’ve ever been hiking and had to announce “I need to find a bush,” you know the drill. You wander far enough away from the group, scout for the perfect hidden spot, check for bugs, check again, then perform an awkward deep squat while hoping your shoes stay dry. Meanwhile, the men in your group are back sipping their water in about 45 seconds flat.
It’s not exactly fair. And it’s one of the most universal — yet rarely talked about — inequalities women deal with on a daily basis.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way.
You Can Actually Do This
Here’s the thing most women were never told: with a little practice (and maybe a helpful tool), peeing standing up is completely doable. And once you get the hang of it, it opens up a whole new world of convenience.
There are two main approaches:
Using a pee funnel (also called a pee chute or FUD — female urination device): These are small, portable devices that redirect the urine stream so you can pee standing up just like anyone else. Some are reusable and eco-friendly, others are disposable. You can even make one yourself from an old shampoo or lotion bottle with a pair of scissors. Seriously.
Going device-free: This one takes a bit more practice, but plenty of women swear by it. The technique involves gently holding the labia out of the way to create a cleaner stream, then using your pelvic floor muscles to control the flow. It sounds intimidating, but many women who’ve tried it say it was way easier than expected.
Why It’s Worth Learning
1. Public Restrooms Can Be Gross
We’ve all hovered over a public toilet seat before. But hovering isn’t actually great for your pelvic floor — it keeps your muscles tense and can make it harder to fully empty your bladder. Standing up with a device removes the need to hover at all. No touching, no contorting, no awkward balancing act.
2. It’s a Game-Changer Outdoors
Whether you’re camping, hiking, at a festival, or on a long road trip, not having to find a private squat spot every time nature calls is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade. Standing up means you’re faster, you stay cleaner, and you don’t have to wander 100 feet into the woods every time.
3. It Can Support Bladder Health
Fully emptying your bladder each time you go is important for preventing UTIs and other bladder issues. Squatting in a hurry over a dirty toilet — or rushing through a squat in the woods — doesn’t always give your body the chance to do that properly. A more relaxed, upright position can actually help.
4. It’s Empowering (No, Really)
There’s something quietly liberating about realizing your body can do something you were never taught it could. Learning to pee standing up is a small thing, but it chips away at one of those everyday inconveniences women are just expected to put up with. You don’t have to.
A Few Tips If You Want to Try It
- Start in the shower. Seriously, this is the number one advice from women who’ve learned the device-free method. Low stakes, easy cleanup.
- Wear the right underwear. If you’re using a device, you’ll want underwear you can easily move to the side. Boyshorts or high-cut styles work well.
- Practice the pelvic floor control. Kegel exercises aren’t just for postpartum recovery — they help you start and stop your stream with more precision, which makes standing up much cleaner.
- Don’t give up after the first try. Like most things, it gets easier. A few practice rounds and it’ll feel totally natural.
Peeing standing up isn’t a weird internet trend — it’s a practical skill that can make your life genuinely easier, cleaner, and more comfortable in all kinds of situations. Women just were never taught that it was an option.
Now you know. The rest is up to you (and maybe a shampoo bottle).
