title: Crouching over the toilet seat: prevalence among British gynaecological outpatients and its effect upon micturition.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Gynaecological Urodynamic Unit, Royal Liverpool Hospital, University of Liverpool.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sutherst
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Imrie
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hutton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D014039:Toilet Training; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology*