How to Pee Standing up Without a Device

Co-authored by Allison Romero, PT, DPT and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: April 17, 2024 Approved

Whether you come across a gross public bathroom or there isn’t a restroom for miles, there may come a time when it’s easier to pee standing up than squatting. You might also want to pee standing up if you present as a man and use the men’s bathroom. If you don't have a penis, peeing while standing up takes a bit of technique and practice—thankfully, it’s not too hard to master, and you might even prefer it to peeing sitting down! We’ve answered some common questions about how you can urinate while standing to make going to the bathroom that much easier.

Question 1 of 6:

Is it bad for a person without a penis to pee standing up?

Download Article

In fact, a study shows that people who peed standing up (without urinating through their penis) had no differences between how much urine they expressed when standing vs. sitting. If you like to pee standing up, you can!^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}

Question 2 of 6:

Can you aim your pee?

Download Article

Yes, if you use the “two-finger” method. Wipe your hands clean with a towel and pull down your pants and underwear. Make a V shape with your first and second finger, then spread the inside of your labia minora (the inner lips of your labia). Lift your labia minora up and outward, then start peeing. The urine stream should go outward instead of down and against your leg.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- When you’re done, wipe your labia and wash your hands.
- If you're aiming at a urinal, tilt your pelvis forward slightly to aim your stream out and down.

Question 3 of 6:

How do you practice peeing while standing?

Download Article

When you first start peeing while standing up, you might have some drips or dribbles. Take off everything (including your shoes and socks) for a much easier cleanup.^{[3]
X
Research source}
It’s a safe place to practice where you can just rinse off afterwards. You can also try out different stances and poses to make peeing while standing up easier.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Question 4 of 6:

How do you make peeing while standing up easier?

Download Article

The muscles in your pelvic floor help start and stop your urine stream. You can find them by urinating and then using your muscles to stop the stream midflow. Once you find them, you can exercise them by contracting for a count of 5, then releasing for a count of 5. Try to do this 3 times a day to make your muscles stronger and have more control over your urine flow.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Allison Romero, PT, DPT
Pelvic Health Specialist

Expert Interview. 2 December 2020.}
With a skirt, you just have to lift up the fabric instead of unzipping or taking off your pants. If you have the option, try to wear something loose-fitting that’s easy to take off. Wearing pants is fine, but it can be a little tougher to pee standing up when you’re first starting out.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Question 5 of 6:

How do you pee while hiking?

Download Article

Usually, this is around 75 paces. You also want to make sure you’re away from any water sources or camps so you don’t contaminate anything.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source

US National Park Service
Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments

Go to source}
Rocks won’t get damaged by the salt in your urine like plants do. If you have the option, try to go somewhere that’s pretty barren already. If you can’t find a spot, try to go in the dirt and not on top of a plant.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

US National Park Service
Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments

Go to source}

Question 6 of 6:

Is it okay to not wipe after peeing?

Download Article

It’s not ideal, but you can skip it in a pinch. Not wiping after you urinate can lead to bacteria buildup in and around your vagina. Wet underwear also feels uncomfortable. If you don’t have any toilet paper with you at the moment, try to wipe up and wash off as soon as you get to a spot with running water, and also change your panties as soon as you can.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If you feel any genital itching, burning, or discomfort when you pee, make an appointment with your doctor.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer with you when you’re out and about to clean off your hands.

Thanks
Helpful 15 Not Helpful 6

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Practice at home in the shower. See how it works before you turn the shower water on. That way, if you make a mess you won't have to clean anything up. Just shower like normal!

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!