Female voiding postures and their effects on micturition.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

This study investigated the effect of sitting and non-sitting postures on uroflowmetric parameters and postvoid residual urine (PVR) and women's preferred voiding posture.

METHODS

Female university students (N = 45) voided on a modified sitting-type toilet in three postures: sitting, semi-squatting, and crouching over. Data on uroflowmetric measures were collected using a weight transducer urodynamic device and PVR was estimated by transabdominal ultrasound.

RESULTS

Voiding in the three postures did not differ in terms of PVR and five of six uroflowmetric outcomes. However, "delay time to void" was significantly longer while semi-squatting than while sitting and crouching over. Furthermore, 51.1% of women had bell-shaped urinary flow curves while sitting, whereas only 22.2% and 17.8% did while semi-squatting and crouching over, respectively. Most women (88.9%) preferred a non-sitting posture when using a public sitting-type toilet.

CONCLUSIONS

Women's preferred non-sitting void posture on public sitting-type toilet should be a concern.