### GP Issues Health Advisory Amid Debate Over Gender-Neutral Toilets
The introduction of gender-neutral toilets in workplaces and public spaces has sparked heated debate across the UK, with some users vocalising their discomfort and opting to avoid the facilities altogether. This growing trend has prompted medical professionals to weigh in, warning that altering toilet habits due to these changes could pose significant health risks.
Discussion around this issue intensified after a post on the popular parenting forum Mumsnet went viral. The user explained that their employer, a local authority, had recently phased out both men’s and women’s toilets in favour of unisex facilities, including what were accessible toilets previously marked for mixed-gender use. Now all bathrooms are lockable and fully self-contained, but some staff members have expressed disapproval over the change.
One contributor to the forum explained the impact the new arrangement had on their daily routine. “I try not to drink much at work and I drive home for lunch so I can use my own bathroom. Occasionally, I walk to the nearby supermarket just for the single-sex loos. It’s a real inconvenience,” they shared, echoing the sentiments of numerous others.
The reasons for this reluctance vary, but for many, it comes down to discomfort and a sense of invasion of their personal space. Some women voiced concerns about bathroom hygiene, particularly following male colleagues, while others felt their privacy had been compromised. As these facilities become more commonplace, public reaction remains deeply divided.
Dr Masarat Jilani, a GP specialising in bladder health and working with the bladder care company Jude, has raised serious concerns about people choosing to avoid unisex facilities entirely. “We’ve all experienced holding in urine because we’re too busy or can’t find a suitable toilet, but regularly postponing urination does more harm than most realise,” Dr Jilani warned.
The GP detailed that changes in access to toilets—whether in offices, shopping centres, or entertainment venues—could lead more individuals to delay using the toilet, increasing the risk of several health problems. When the bladder is consistently forced to hold onto urine, the muscles responsible for bladder control work excessively, which can fatigue the pelvic floor. This condition, Dr Jilani noted, provides a breeding ground for bacteria, raising the likelihood of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Dr Jilani enumerated the health issues that can stem from these habits:
– **Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)**: Lingering urine allows bacteria to flourish, with infections often the unwelcome result.
– **Bladder Dysfunction**: Chronically overfilling the bladder may impair its ability to contract, compromising bladder control in the future.
– **Pelvic Floor Weakness**: Regularly ‘holding it in’ places strain on pelvic muscles, increasing the risk of leaks and stress incontinence.
– **Urinary Retention**: This condition arises when the bladder does not empty completely, further elevating infection risks.
– **Kidney Issues**: In rare, severe cases, pressure from urine retention can harm kidney function.
– **Disrupted Signalling**: Ignoring the need to urinate can confuse brain-bladder communication, resulting in mishaps and accidents.
– **Sleep Disturbances**: Restricting urination during the day may prompt frequent nighttime bathroom trips, as the body attempts to compensate.
In light of these complications, Dr Jilani emphasised the importance of listening to one’s body. “Unless you’re already managing an overactive bladder, responding when you feel the urge is a cornerstone of maintaining bladder health and preventing infections,” she advised. The potential risk of infection from a public toilet seat is, in reality, significantly lower than the dangers associated with not relieving oneself when needed.
She recommends practical measures for those concerned about hygiene in public toilets: use a disposable seat cover, or wipe the seat with tissue before sitting. Notably, she cautions against ‘hovering’, a common practice meant to avoid contact with the seat, as it can further strain the pelvic floor muscles.
In summary, Dr Jilani’s guidance is clear: timely bathroom visits are not only a matter of comfort but a critical aspect of personal health. While the debate around gender-neutral toilets persists, the medical advice remains focused on the risks of altered bathroom behaviours and the priority of safeguarding one’s wellbeing.