Women have the shorter end of the stick (haha) when it comes to using the toilet to pee. Guys, because of how their plumbing works, can basically go anywhere. Girls, on the other hand, have to hold it in if there’s no bathroom in sight, or deal with icky public toilets.
Side note- If you’ve read or listened to Tina Fey’s book- Bossypants, she shares what it’s like working with other male writers who would rather pee in cups in their office instead of walking to the nearby bathroom. The entire book is hilarious, and is probably better listened to than actually read.
Here’s where women can actually level the playing field, and take matters into our own hands. Get yourself a pee funnel. I discovered the Pstyle years ago and it has changed my life. No kidding. My sister bought it for me and I didn’t really start using it until I tore my second ACL and had surgery again. Being able to stand up to pee is so useful when you are wearing a leg immobiliser or traveling and you cannot squat or even easily sit down. I recovered from that ACL injury, but the Pstyle stayed in my purse, in its Pstyle case.
This is a list of when or where I was glad I had one with me:
1. Airplane bathrooms: Always tiny, likely dirty and if you’re flying long haul, your legs are probably already cramped up from sitting for hours.
2. Music Festivals: Drinking, then having to line up for porta-potties which have not been cleaned for hours. Standing up to pee makes a lot more sense.
3. My wedding: Peeing in a wedding dress was easier standing up.
4. The New York City marathon: Running and drinking to stay hydrated also means having to use porta-potties along the way. Same as music festivals.
5. Providing urine samples: It’s a lot easier to pee in a cup when you’re not guessing where it’s going. Take note for when you need to renew your driver’s license or having your annual medical checkup.
6. Dirty public bathrooms anywhere: airports, bars, restaurants, clubs, theme parks, gas stations, the list goes on.
I don’t do winter sports, but this video shows how it’s useful when you’re all bundled up in layers.
And finally, here’s a video from Buzzfeed- They gave pee funnels to women and showed their reactions after peeing standing up for the first time. They used a different device, but I still swear by the Pstyle after trying others. It’s easy to use and clean. I have a feeling that more women will include these in their travel essentials. This company in SF was formed last year and is making disposable ones, so there’s definitely market potential for products like it.
Basically, if you’re traveling, going to a music festival, getting married in a long dress with lots of layers, getting a pee funnel could make your life a lot easier. When you get one, I suggest practicing in the shower until you get the hang of it.