Medical experts in France and Canada recommend that men urinate while seated to improve health and hygiene [1, 2].
This shift in habit could reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and decrease the amount of waste left on bathroom surfaces. The advice challenges long-standing social norms regarding male bathroom behavior by prioritizing clinical outcomes over tradition.
Dr. Gerald Colins, a urologist, said these recommendations during a broadcast with presenter Julien Ménielle [1, 2]. The guidance emphasizes that the seated position allows for more complete bladder emptying in some cases, which is a critical factor in preventing certain medical complications [1, 2].
Hygiene is another primary driver for the recommendation. Urinating while standing often leads to splashing and the dispersal of droplets across the bathroom floor and surrounding areas [1, 2]. By sitting, men can significantly limit the spread of these contaminants, a change that benefits the overall cleanliness of shared living spaces [1, 2].
These health and hygiene insights were highlighted in reports from Franceinfo and the Journal de Montréal in June 2023 [1, 2]. The medical perspective suggests that the physical relaxation afforded by sitting may assist the urinary process, particularly for men experiencing prostate issues or other bladder-related health challenges [1, 2].
While the practice is more common in some European cultures, the explicit medical endorsement from specialists like Colins aims to normalize the behavior based on physiological benefits rather than cultural preference [1, 2].
“Medical experts recommend that men urinate while seated to improve health and hygiene.”
The recommendation reflects a growing medical emphasis on preventative care and environmental hygiene. By framing a behavioral change through the lens of urological health, experts are attempting to decouple a biological function from gendered social expectations to improve long-term patient outcomes.
