Crouching over the toilet seat: prevalence among British gynaecological outpatients and its effect upon micturition
Abstract
Summary. This study investigated whether British women prefer to crouch over public toilet seats, and measured the effect of such a voiding position on urine flow rate and residual urine volume. Of 528 consecutive women who attended a general gynaecological clinic and completed an anonymous questionnaire, 85% usually crouched over the toilet when using a public convenience, 12% applied paper to the seat and 2% sat directly on public toilet seats. When using a friend's bathroom 38% of the women voided by crouching. Results were similar for 155 patients attending a urodynamic clinic, 80 of whom were studied while voiding in both positions. There was a 21% reduction in average urine flow rate and a 149% increase in residual urine volume in the crouching position. Women undergoing urodynamic tests should be asked which voiding position they used before abnormal results are interpreted. Patients with a reduced functional bladder capacity may benefit from being encouraged to sit comfortably on the toilet whenever possible.
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