{"id":129303,"date":"2025-09-11T06:13:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T06:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/129303\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T06:13:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T06:13:15","slug":"you-shouldnt-take-more-than-21-seconds-to-pee-any-longer-and-youre-probably-doing-it-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/129303\/","title":{"rendered":"You shouldn’t take more than 21 seconds to pee – any longer and you’re probably doing it ‘wrong’"},"content":{"rendered":"

It might not be something you’ve ever thought about – after all, a quick trip to the bathroom is one of life’s most ordinary acts.<\/p>\n

But according to science, there’s a ‘sweet spot’ for the ‘perfect pee’, and it’s just 21 seconds.<\/p>\n

From dogs to elephants, and humans too, researchers have discovered that when it comes to relieving ourselves, the body is far more finely tuned than you might think.<\/p>\n

And if you’re taking much longer (or much less time) to urinate, it could be your body’s way of waving a red flag.<\/p>\n

The discovery comes from a team of researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology who have spent their time clocking mammals mid-stream.<\/p>\n

The aim was to solve a deceptively simple puzzle – how can animals of wildly different sizes all manage to empty their bladders in roughly the same amount of time?<\/p>\n

Their answer became known as the ‘Law of Urination’, and it turns out, it’s all about physics.<\/p>\n

Bigger animals don’t just have bigger bladders, they also come equipped with longer and wider urethras, they noted.<\/p>\n

\"It <\/p>\n

It might not be something you’ve ever thought about but according to science, there’s a ‘sweet spot’ for the perfect pee, and it’s just 21 seconds<\/p>\n

The extra length ramps up gravitational pressure, pushing urine out faster, while the added width reduces resistance.<\/p>\n

So, whether it’s a Great Dane or a cow, nature has calibrated things so that mammals over three kilos take around 21 seconds to finish the job.<\/p>\n

Elephants, with bladders that can hold several litres, surprisingly don’t spend half an hour going to the toilet either.<\/p>\n

Instead, they finish in about the same time as a golden retriever.<\/p>\n

Humans fall right into line too. For most healthy adults, urination at a normal, relaxed pace lasts somewhere between 20 and 25 seconds.<\/p>\n

Doctors sometimes use this as a loose benchmark when assessing urinary health, though they’re quick to add it’s not necessary to stand in the bathroom with a stopwatch.<\/p>\n

What matters most is your own personal ‘normal’, because major changes in timing can point to issues worth checking out.<\/p>\n

Frequent, short urination can be a sign of an overactive bladder, while consistently long ones may suggest urinary retention or, in men, enlarged prostates.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The discovery comes from a team of researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology who have spent their time clocking mammals mid-stream – and it turns out, it’s all about physics<\/p>\n

\"Mammals <\/p>\n

Mammals weighing over about 3 kilograms tend to take around 21 seconds to urinate, whereas ‘healthy’ humans take somewhere between 20 and 25 seconds<\/p>\n

Nerve problems can also interfere with bladder function, slowing things down.<\/p>\n

And then there’s the problem of holding it in. Many of us are guilty of ignoring nature’s call until we’re bursting, whether stuck in traffic or midway through a meeting.<\/p>\n

But straining your bladder this way can overstretch it over time, upping the risk of urinary tract infections and other complications.<\/p>\n

Instead of counting to 21 every time you sit down on the toilet, experts say the real trick is noticing patterns.<\/p>\n

If your usual stream suddenly takes twice as long, or if you’re running to the loo every hour for a brief dribble, that’s when it’s time to take note – and possibly take action.<\/p>\n

And if you are guilty of the common yet unhygienic habit of scrolling your phone while sitting on the toilet too<\/a>, you might want to nip that in the bud as it’s recently been slammed by a health professional.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A recent viral Instagram video shared by health content creator Danica Walker (pictured), saw her ask a medical expert: ‘What is the one thing you would never do as a gastroenterologist?’<\/p>\n

\"In <\/p>\n

In the clip, the gastroenterologist slammed those who scroll their phone while sitting on the toilet for lengthy periods of time<\/p>\n

A holistic health content creator asked ‘What is the one thing you would never do as a gastroenterologist?’ in a new Instagram video which has been viewed over 2.3million times.<\/p>\n

An unnamed gastroenterologist swiftly responded: ‘Never sit on the toilet with your phone.’<\/p>\n

‘If you have the urge, go. When you’re done get out of there,’ he added.<\/p>\n

The video<\/a>, created by detox advocate Danica Walker<\/a>, then asked the medical practitioner a follow-up question about the ideal length of time to be doing your business.<\/p>\n

‘What is the maximum number of minutes one should be sitting?’ Danica asked.<\/p>\n

The doctor responded: ‘I say five minutes. Get it in, and get out.’<\/p>\n

Danica cheekily concluded the viral video by saying directly to the camera: ‘Okay people, send it to your husbands!’<\/p>\n

The comments section was filled with remarks from stunned video viewers who were deeply wedded to the practice of using their mobile phones while on the toilet.<\/p>\n

‘At this point in my life, I’m not sure I have the ability to poop without my phone,’ read one reply.<\/p>\n

‘Watching this as I sit on the toilet,’ added another.<\/p>\n

‘[B]ut it’s the one place I can find peace,’ a third person joked.<\/p>\n