When travelling in wild terrain or camping in beautiful solitude, no one would want to think, ‘how to pee in the wilderness’. Sadly that is the reality for most women around the world. Not just in the wilderness, anywhere from public restrooms to bushes in the wild, peeing is an arduous task for women. Let’s explore why it is so and how to tackle this issue with solutions like ‘female urination devices’. The problem Finding public restrooms Even if women find public restrooms in cities, the chances of these being clean are slim. At restaurants, malls, clubs, etc; women have to either join the long list of queues for restrooms or find secluded spots to relieve themselves. These situations expose them to a variety of infections. Finding bushes The chances of women finding public restrooms when travelling in the wild...
When travelling in wild terrain or camping in beautiful solitude, no one would want to think, ‘how to pee in the wilderness’. Sadly that is the reality for most women around the world. Not just in the wilderness, anywhere from public restrooms to bushes in the wild, peeing is an arduous task for women. Let’s explore why it is so and how to tackle this issue with solutions like ‘female urination devices’.
The problem
Even if women find public restrooms in cities, the chances of these being clean are slim. At restaurants, malls, clubs, etc; women have to either join the long list of queues for restrooms or find secluded spots to relieve themselves. These situations expose them to a variety of infections.
The chances of women finding public restrooms when travelling in the wild are very less. So a woman’s port-a-potty when in nature is either behind bushes or in a running stream. Risks of them coming into contact with toxic plants like poison ivy and microscopic parasites are higher in such situations.
The go-to solution for women when feeling the urge to pee in public/wilderness is to hold it till getting back home. Adding to the common belief that holding urine can cause kidney stones; holding urine also leads to multiple problems in women like: leakage, chronic bladder ‘overstretching’, foul-smelling urine, and even urinary tract infections (UTI).
The solution
Many have tried several solutions to avoid infections when using public restrooms. A few of them are: wiping the toilet seat with antibacterial wipes, using disposable toilet covers or just holding the urine until reaching home. While some of these solutions help in preventing infections, nothing can be as foolproof as peeing standing up.
Ways to pee standing up
Several female urination devices are available online and offline to help women stand and pee. They are available both in plastic and disposable options. They are available in pocket sizes and are the best option for women when travelling, hiking and when finding unclean restrooms. Continue reading to find out how to use these female urination devices.
Guide to female urination devices
Most female urination devices have a funnel-like structure. So the usage and care for them are similar across most devices. They are as follows:
Usage: Open the device first. Place the wide end of the device under the crotch area. Hold it steady and point it in the direction you want the urine to flow. Relieve yourself.
Care: If using a plastic/reusable urination device, ensure to wash it after use. If using a disposable one, do not try to flush it. Discard it in the waste bin or in nature where it would biodegrade.
Do’s and Don’ts: Avoid wet feet by keeping your legs wide apart before starting. Be cautious and do not pee into the wind.
Pros of female urination devices
- Restricts infections that happen due to contact of skin to surfaces.
- It is travel-friendly, eco-friendly and has biodegradable designs.
- Provides ease in peeing for pregnant women and women with joint pain.
Cons of female urination devices
- It might be considered taboo in some societies.
- Overflow and spillage if used in urgency.
- Reusable devices have to be cleaned and dried.
Now that you know everything about standing and peeing, don’t hold it in! If you’re a rookie, practice in the shower first.
