How many times have you found yourself whether at a gas station restroom, mall bathroom, or airplane lavatory, the need to squat or hover over a public toilet, dreading direct contact with the seat? More often than you'd care to remember, right? Who knows, after all, who wants to risk touching something that hundreds of strangers have used? But while it might seem the most secure, did you know that this habit can actually be damaging to your bladder health? If you've ever had to deal with lots of pee urges or surprise leaks, your hovering habit could be the cause.

It is an unpleasant experience to use a public toilet. In a restaurant, airport, or gym, most people will avoid sitting on the toilet seat itself because of hygiene issues. They hover or squat over the seat to keep contact to a minimum. This might seem like a reasonable precaution, but medical professionals advise that it's really an unhealthy habit that can have long-term effects on your bladder and pelvic floor health.

Why Do People Squat Over Public Toilets?

It's no surprise that so many individuals prefer squatting. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals using public toilets every day. Sharing a toilet seat with unknown people can make one feel nervous, and folklore regarding the spreading of infections due to toilet seat contact contributes to the anxiety.

A 2019 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health study on women's bathroom habits showed that the majority of people opt not to use public toilets at all. Those who do might hover in an attempt to avoid touching possibly germ-covered surfaces. Though this may seem safer, it has serious consequences.

Harmful Effects of Squatting While Peeing

Squatting on the toilet puts tension on the pelvic floor muscles so that they are not able to relax completely. This has the following adverse effects:

1. Incomplete Bladder Emptying

While squatting, your pelvic muscles are around 30-40% tense, thus not allowing the bladder to drain completely. This residual urine can cause pain, augment the frequency of urination, and even elevate the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

2. Increased Risk of Leaks

When urine accumulates in the bladder, it may lead to involuntary leakage, particularly upon laughing, sneezing, coughing, or jumping. This gradually weakens bladder control and may result in stress incontinence.

3. Bladder Irritation and Urgency

The residual urine left behind due to improper emptying can irritate the bladder lining, making you feel like you need to pee more frequently or urgently. This condition, often mistaken for an overactive bladder, can disrupt daily life and lead to discomfort.

Are Public Toilets Really That Dirty?

One of the primary reasons individuals hover is due to germs. Yet, numerous studies have indicated that the chance of getting an infection from a toilet seat is less than slight. Most everyday bacteria, such as E. coli and staphylococcus, exist for only a short time on hard, dry surfaces like toilet seats. Besides this, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cannot be acquired by sitting upon a public toilet.

Instead, the actual threat in public bathrooms is unwashed hands and dirty surfaces such as door handles and faucets. Proper hand washing after using the bathroom is much more likely to keep you from getting sick than staying away from the toilet seat.

What You Should Do Instead

If you're still worried about cleanliness but wish to guard bladder health, these safer alternatives can be used:

1. Use Toilet Seat Covers or Toilet Paper

Most public restrooms offer disposable seat covers, which act as a barrier between you and the seat. If covers are not available, toilet paper can be used to form a protective barrier.

2. Wipe Down the Seat

Keeping disinfectant wipes in your bag can be an efficient and speedy method of sanitizing the seat prior to use. Many find this to be reassuring and a good middle ground between hygiene and bladder health.

3. Practice Good Bathroom Habits

In addition to sitting correctly, taking your time when on the toilet is also important. Rushing is common, and it results in incomplete bladder emptying. Sitting for a few more seconds and practicing deep breathing can enhance urine flow and safeguard pelvic health.

When Is It Okay To Squat?

Although squatting is not advisable to do often, there are instances when it cannot be helped. If a toilet is too dirty or not properly sanitized, hovering occasionally won't immediately harm. But turning squatting into a habit can result in chronic pelvic floor dysfunction.

Identifying Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

If you squat over toilets on a regular basis and notice any of the following, it's time to re-evaluate your bathroom routine:

• Leaking urine during coughing, sneezing, or laughing
• Having an overwhelming urge to urinate even after recently going
• Struggling to make it to the bathroom in time
• Pain or discomfort before, during, or after urination
• Pressure or a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic region

Squatting on a public toilet might appear to be the most effective means of evading germs, but it might do more harm than good. Squatting stops the bladder from being able to fully empty, causing leaks, irritation, and urinary tract infections. Rather, choose to use seat covers, clean the seat, or just wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Your bladder health is worth it, and doing the right thing can allow you to have more control and comfort in the long term.

Autism in women is not often entirely recognized because this disorder does not always have to correspond to the “classic” picture characteristic of males.

The diagnosis is based on a male criterion with such behavior as obvious withdrawal from a group, overtly displayed repetitive behaviour, and limited interests. There can be mild social deficit or internalized anger and frustration that can pass unnoticed in clinical practice.

The Art of Masking

One of the most significant reasons behind underdiagnosis is masking (also called camouflaging). Masking is one of the most significant reasons for underdiagnosis. This is helpful in masking but also covers or conceals essential symptoms.

Masking causes mental exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout, but it does not address the underlying autism and leaves it undiagnosed.

Stereotypes And Gender Bias

There is a strong societal stereotype that autism is a “male condition”. This bias is felt by parents, teachers, as well as health care professionals.

Sex bias is evident in that boys get referred for evaluation early. Girls are often tagged “shy,” “sensitive,” and “introverted.”

Their struggles are normalized instead of being explored for any issues. Gender bias is a significant contributor to delayed or wrong diagnosis.

Different Interests, Less Suspicion

A restricted interest is another hallmark of autism, but in women, it tends to be more socially acceptable. Their interests conform to the norms of society; they do not predispose clinical suspicion as opposed to more masculine interests like mechanical systems or numbers.

Overlap With Other Conditions

Autism in women being misdiagnosed as other psychiatric disorders is due to symptom comorbidity. Some of the common misdiagnoses are:

• anxiety disorders,
• major depressive disorder,
• borderline personality disorder,
• eating disorders.

In many cases, these are secondary to autism as a result of years of living with undiagnosed autism.

Social Expectations And Conditioning

From an early age, girls are often conditioned to be socially attentive, empathetic, and compliant. This societal conditioning pushes autistic girls to adapt and hide their difficulties.

These may include forcing themselves into socializing. Fitting in is deemed more important than comfort. They end up creating coping mechanisms that mask their difficulties.

While this may benefit outward functioning, it postpones the recognition of underlying neurodevelopmental differences.

The Consequences of Late Diagnosis

Delayed diagnosis or missed diagnosis has the following effects:

• Chronic mental illness
• Low self-esteem
• Confusion about identity
• Inadequate support services

The World Health Organization estimates that 10 percent (190 million) of reproductive-age women worldwide suffer from endometriosis.

The chronic and complex menstrual disease that affects many women is characterized by severe pain during menstruation, heavy menstrual bleeding, chronic pelvic pain (pain that does not go away when the menstrual cycle ends), infertility, and abdominal bloating and nausea.

The incurable condition poses a significant challenge to women as it affects their personal and professional lives, relationships, and fertility, among others, due to persistent pain and fatigue.

The diagnosis also gets delayed, as endometriosis is often confused with PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, due to some overlapping symptoms like irregular menstrual periods. The symptoms may continue to persist or recur after treatment is initiated.

In a powerful statement resonating with millions worldwide, Indian American author and television host Padma Lakshmi has shared her experience with the condition.

Opening about her personal battle with endometriosis, the 55-year-old, Co-founder of Endometriosis Foundation of America, said that the condition made her understand how strong she is and called for greater awareness and self-advocacy among women.

"Endometriosis has taught me that I should always listen to my body. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong,” said Lakshmi, in a media post on social media platform Instagram.

"Through my struggles with endometriosis, I've learned that, actually, I have a very high threshold for pain, that I may be stronger than I know, but that I shouldn't always need to be,” PopSugar quoted her as saying.

Lakshmi noted that it is now her life's mission "to advocate for my own health, and also to advocate for all women with endometriosis."

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These tissues commonly develop on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the pelvic lining.

Endometriosis affects many women and can impact their daily lives, including their ability to work comfortably. Many women continue their professional responsibilities despite experiencing severe discomfort, fatigue, and pain.

Raising awareness about the condition and encouraging supportive workplaces can help women manage both their health and career more effectively.

Since it is a progressive disorder, timely intervention remains key to managing it. In many cases, women live with symptoms for several years before receiving the correct diagnosis, which can delay treatment and affect their quality of life.

Treating Endometriosis

Treatment is particularly based on the severity of symptoms. Women will be advised lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, stress management, and an anti-inflammatory diet. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce discomfort.

Hormonal therapies may also be used to control symptoms. Some women will be advised to undergo laparoscopy to remove endometriotic cysts.

Minimally invasive surgery can help remove lesions and restore pelvic anatomy, which may also improve fertility in some cases. In advanced cases, surgery can be recommended to women.

In a shocking incident, a woman contracted the herpes virus after using shared lipstick samples at a cosmetic store, raising concerns about makeup hygiene.

The incident highlights the risks involved in trying products that come into direct contact with the skin and are shared with a lot of people.

Also Read: World Autism Awareness Day 2026: Can Cell Therapy Be The Future Of Autism Treatment?

What Is Herpes?

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is very common, and the infection is lifelong. But the symptoms can come and go over different periods of life. Many people never get any symptoms linked to their infection.

The common virus, carried by up to 50 to 80 percent of adults, can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable.

There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2.

HSV- 1 is the most common and usually spreads by oral contact. It causes infections in or around the mouth (such as oral herpes or cold sores), as well as genital herpes.

Common oral herpes symptoms include

• blisters (cold sores)
• open sores (ulcers) in or around the mouth or lips.

HSV-2 generally spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes.

Its symptoms include painful

• bumps,
• blisters,
• open sores (ulcers) around the genitals or anus.

How Makeup Testers Can Spread Infection

Experts warned that makeup testers can become a breeding ground for germs. The repeated use of the open samples can spur their growth and can then spread by “double-dipping” — reusing an applicator after touching the skin. This can transfer viruses and bacteria between users.

“You can absolutely get a herpes infection from a makeup tester," Dr. Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist in New York City, told TODAY. "The more ‘double dipping’ that occurs, the higher the chance of spreading viruses or bacteria at a makeup counter.”

A 2010 study by researchers from Rowan University in New Jersey found that cosmetic samples harbored strep, E.coli, and staph.

For two years, the team examined makeup testers at makeup counters, specialty stores, and drug stores. They found that Saturday is the busiest day of the week, and 100 percent of the samples carried some sort of germ.

How To Stay Safe?

To reduce the risk of infection, experts recommend:

• Much like the toothbrush, personal cosmetics and cosmetic brushes must not be shared.
• Wash and dry your brushes regularly to avoid bacterial growth.
• Avoid applying testers directly to your lips or skin
• Use disposable applicators
• Test products on your hand rather than your face
• Avoid using testers if you have cuts, chapped lips, or active infections.