Sitting or Standing - Which is Better for Men's Urination for Health?

The decision of whether to sit or stand while urinating has long been determined by social conventions for men. However, there has been a growing trend of men opting to sit while urinating, challenging the traditional practice, particularly as claims arise that standing might not be hygienic. So, when considering health and hygiene, should men sit or stand when urinating?

 

In conclusion, for health reasons, standing while urinating is advantageous for men, but for hygiene purposes, appropriate measures should be taken.

 

Taking into account the length and shape of the male urethra, it is advantageous for men to urinate while standing. Dr. Lee Young-jin, director of the Daegu Cornell Urology Clinic, explains that "while women have a short and straight urethra, about 4 cm in length, men have a longer urethra, approximately 25 cm, with an S-shape." Women can comfortably urinate while sitting due to the short and straight nature of their urethra, but for men, sitting might cause the S-shaped urethra to bend further, resulting in a less smooth urine flow and potential discomfort. Therefore, standing while urinating is considered to be more beneficial for men's health.

 

However, standing to urinate may lead to splashing issues for men. According to experiments conducted by Japan's Lion Corporation, when men urinate while standing, approximately 2300 droplets of urine are released per day. Furthermore, the range of splashing can extend up to a 40cm radius on the floor and reach a height of 30cm on walls.

 

Therefore, when men choose to urinate while standing, it is advisable to maintain hygiene by waiting for 2-3 seconds after completing the urination process to ensure that any remaining urine is fully expelled. Failure to do so may result in splashing around the toilet or a few droplets spilling onto underwear when zipping up.

 

In conclusion, for health reasons, standing while urinating is advantageous for men, but for hygiene purposes, appropriate measures should be taken. Men need to make a careful choice to find a method that suits them, allowing them to maintain both health and hygiene simultaneously.