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GP issues health warning over gender neutral toiletsPeople say they have changed their habits after a change in the rules around toiletsCommentsNewsNeil Shaw Assistant Editor11:32, 04 Jun

2025Updated 12:46, 04 Jun 2025A gender inclusive and gender neutral bathroom sign A GP has warned over the danger of boycotting single-sex toilets after a discussion on Mumsnet went viral.

Some people say they refuse to use gender-neutral toilets.

A Mumsnet user took to the forum to say their employer had removed single sex toilets, and replaced them with unisex ones, writing: "Previously we had men, women and a unisex accessible

toilet. They have now, in the guise of being inclusive, removed all signage and all are mixed sex.

‌ "The toilets are all individual, lockable with washing facilities included but that’s not the point. I hate using a toilet after men have been in there fgs. We are a Local Authority so

unsure what the provisions are in other offices across the county. I have emailed the head of facilities but not sure if I can do anything else."

‌ Responding to the thread on Mumsnet, user Bagelmonster20 said: "I try not to drink much at work and I drive home for lunch specifically so I can use my own bathroom. Occasionally I walk to

the big Waitrose around the corner as they have single sex loos. It's a bloody pain.”

Dr Masarat Jilani, a GP who works with bladder care company Jude and has a special interest in women’s urinary health, has warned against avoiding unisex toilets, adding: "We’ve all been

there, holding in a wee because we’re busy at our desk or worse, out and about and can’t find a public toilet, however regularly delaying urination could be doing more harm than you think.

Article continues below "Now as confusion around the provision of single sexed toilets sets in, people may find their access to suitable toilets in offices, shopping centres and

entertainment and leisure venues is uncertain. There is a fear more people will start to ‘hold it in’.

"When the bladder becomes too full, the muscles have to work extra hard just to keep urine in and prevent accidents. This can lead to fatigue in the pelvic floor, not only that it also

creates an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections."

Risks Include:

Article continues belowIncreased risk of UTIs: Urine held in the bladder for too long causes it to stagnate and allow bacteria to multiply, which can then easily lead to infection.Bladder

Stretching: A repeatedly overfilled bladder can become overly distended and lose its ability to contract properly, affecting bladder future bladder control.Weakened pelvic floor muscles:

Holding your wee in regularly can put extra strain on pelvic floor muscles, contributing to leaks and stress incontinence over time.Urinary retention: In some cases, your bladder may not

fully empty after being held for too long, leading to chronic retention and increased risk of infections.Kidney Strain : In very severe cases the eventual backflow of urine can occur if

pressure builds up, this puts your kidney function at serious risk.Disrupted bladder signalling: Over time, ignoring the urge to pee can confuse your brain-bladder communication, this could

reduce your ability to sense when it’s time to go leading to accidents.Sleep disturbances: Holding in wee during the day, especially if you’re limiting fluid intake until you’re back home,

may lead to more frequent night-time bathroom trips as your bladder tries to rebalance. Dr Jilani said: “Generally speaking, unless you have an overactive bladder already, listening to your

body and responding when you feel the urge is one of the simplest ways to protect your bladder and avoid unpleasant urinary tract infections. While some might be understandably concerned

about public toilets, realistically, you’re far more likely to get an infection from not urinating when you need to than you are from a toilet seat.

"It’s much better to take precautions like using a toilet seat cover, or wiping it down first with toilet paper before using than, just simply holding it in for long stretches of time.

Remember that hovering can also strain the pelvic floor so sitting down is important.Going when you need to isn’t just about comfort, it’s a key part of protecting your bladder health.”