Buzz
Whether it's due to a health issue or simply because you've drunk too much water, there may be times when you urgently need to pee but can't find a restroom. This situation often occurs for those on long trips or attending sports events, but for individuals with certain medical conditions, it can happen at any time. It's important to relieve yourself when necessary, as holding it in for too long can lead to accidents or health complications. Learning how to urinate in a bottle can help you maintain your health while staying discreet.
Steps to Follow
Select Your Equipment
Purchase a Medical Urinal. If you frequently find yourself needing to urinate or anticipate urgent situations where no restroom is available, it might be wise to invest in a medical urinal. This tool is designed with a slanted top to allow for easy use without spillage. Medical urinals are usually larger in size and can be reused multiple times.
- Medical urinals are available online or through medical supply stores at affordable prices.
Choose the Right Size. When buying a urinal, it's important to select the appropriate size. While it's impossible to know exactly how much urine will be expelled, you can ensure the urinal is large enough to hold the average amount of urine. Everyone's body is different, but the typical urine volume ranges from 120 ml to 465 ml.
- Select a urinal that can hold at least 465 ml of urine. Going for a larger size will not cause any issues. Remember: bigger is better than too small.
- A regular soda bottle typically holds about 355 ml. Larger bottles, like the 1.75-liter soda bottles, can hold 1,750 ml, but keep in mind that the neck of soda bottles is quite narrow.
- Sports drink bottles like Gatorade or Powerade tend to have wider mouths. For example, a Gatorade bottle holds about 590 ml and has a wide opening, making it a popular choice for people who need to urinate in a bottle.
Mark the Urine Bottle. Whether you're alone in your car or tent, or with someone else, it's important to mark the bottle you plan to use for urination to avoid confusion. You can simply use a marker to draw a large “X” on the bottle, or label it more explicitly (for example, “Do not drink”).
Consider Using a Female Urinal Funnel. This tool is essentially a small funnel designed for women to urinate into a bottle while standing. There are several brands of female urinals, including GoGirl and Freshette, which are perfect for women who need to relieve themselves but can't find a restroom.
- To use a standing funnel, simply hold it under your private area, pressed against your body. Place the narrow end of the funnel into the bottle’s opening and urinate through the funnel.
- You can purchase standing funnels online or at retail stores, including those that sell camping and outdoor gear.
Bring Hygiene Products. In addition to the bottle for urination, you'll need to bring along essential hygiene products. If you're female, make sure to have toilet paper for wiping. Both men and women will also need soap and water or hand sanitizer (alcohol-based hand wash).
Urinating in a Bottle
Find a private spot. Whenever possible, look for a secluded place to relieve yourself. If you’re in a car, no one will see, but in crowded events, such as a sports game or parade, peeing into a bottle becomes trickier. It’s important to avoid exposing yourself to others, as doing so could not only be embarrassing but also illegal in some areas.
- Look for a spot where you can be alone and out of sight. Consider areas like under a staircase or behind a building, depending on where you are.
- Use your discretion and be cautious. Avoid attracting attention, and be mindful not to let anyone see you.
Angle the bottle properly. Using a portable urinal will make it much easier to relieve yourself. These devices are designed with an angled opening to prevent spills and backflow. However, if you’re using an empty bottle, you’ll need to tilt it to ensure that the urine doesn’t spill or leak out. Position the bottle so that the urine flows into the bottom of the container.
- If you’re female, make sure to wipe after you finish. You should carry toilet paper with you for this. Always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus from spreading to the urinary tract, which can lead to infections.
Dispose of the urine bottle properly. Once you’ve finished, it’s crucial to dispose of the bottle correctly. Discarding human waste on the street is illegal and poses serious health and hygiene risks. Street cleaners and landscapers could be exposed to harmful bacteria. In some states in the U.S., the penalty for dumping urine by the roadside can include up to nine months in prison. For example, in Wyoming and many other states, littering with hazardous waste, including urine, is heavily fined.
- Always tighten the bottle’s cap securely to prevent drips or spills when it’s moved.
- Keep the bottle safely with you or store it in your car until you can dispose of it.
- When you reach a trash can or restroom, you can either throw the entire bottle away or empty it into a toilet.
Wash your hands after urinating. It’s important to wash your hands after using the restroom. If you have access to running water and soap, lather soap between your palms and wash thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. This will help prevent germs from spreading and reduce the risk of infections for yourself and others.
- If running water is unavailable, as might happen when you can’t find a restroom, you can still clean your hands with hand sanitizer or wet wipes. Products containing alcohol will kill germs and help stop the spread of illness.
- To use hand sanitizer, apply enough to cover both hands, rub them together, making sure to cover all fingers and palms until the product dries.
Preventing and handling emergencies
Avoid drinking too much fluid before traveling long distances. If you often need to urinate or know you'll be in situations without easy access to restrooms, it might be wise to limit your water intake beforehand and during the journey. For example, if you know you'll be stuck in a car for hours, try not to drink too much in the 1-2 hours before departure and reduce the amount of liquid you consume during the trip.
- Don't stop drinking entirely. If you're thirsty, it's important to hydrate, but just reduce the amount of water you drink to avoid urgent bathroom needs.
- Avoid diuretic drinks like coffee, tea, cola, and other caffeinated beverages. These can increase the frequency and urgency of urination, putting you at risk of needing a bathroom when there's none around.
Develop a good toilet habit. Regularly urinating before you feel the need to can train your bladder to react prematurely. To foster long-term healthy habits, it’s best to wait until you genuinely need to go. However, when traveling long distances or heading to places without available bathrooms, try to take opportunities to urinate whenever possible.
- Plan restroom breaks ahead of your journey. Try to anticipate where you can find a bathroom and where it might be harder to do so, adjusting your schedule accordingly.
- Don't rush. Make sure to fully empty your bladder. If you don't, you might end up needing to go again shortly after. Allow your body to urinate naturally instead of forcing it out too quickly.
Know when to seek medical help. While most urgent bathroom needs stem from drinking too much or consuming diuretics, some situations may be due to pressure on the abdomen, such as during pregnancy or from excess weight. However, some cases of frequent urination could indicate an underlying issue. You should consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Blood in your urine
- Unusual urine color (especially dark red or brown)
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Difficulty urinating
- Incontinence (loss of bladder control)
- Fever
Advice
- Never let anyone mistake a water bottle for something drinkable!
- There are funnel-shaped products available to help women urinate into bottles. If you often need to pee, this could be a helpful option to consider.
- If you plan on reusing a urine bottle, be sure to disinfect it with alcohol or other sanitizing agents to kill bacteria and remove odors.
- Don't store your urine bottle near the kitchen or eating areas—someone could mistakenly think it's a drink!
Warning
- If you’ve never urinated into a bottle before, you may only be able to produce a small amount of urine. It’s a good idea to practice at home first before attempting it in a real situation.
What You’ll Need
- Bottle
- Funnel (for women, if necessary)
- Marker pen (to label the urine bottle)
