The DIY Doc Weighs In!

Dana Maxwell, on Instagram as the_diy__doc, is an avid outdoor enthusiast and a family medicine doctor. She chatted with me about stand-to-pee devices, getting into nature, and women’s health. Here’s what she had to say:

What pee funnel do you use, and why do you use that one?

I use the humangear GoPee funnel. And that’s the only one I’ve ever used. I started using it two years ago. I was on REI’s website and I was looking for different stand-to-pee devices. I’d heard about the SheWee. I was looking, and what attracted me to the humangear one versus others was how compact it is.

I use it exclusively in the outdoor world. So compactability, being lightweight, is a huge thing for me. What I liked about the humangear pee funnel is that it folds down completely flat. I can shove it in a thin space in my backpack or even put it in my coat pocket. That’s what attracted me initially, and I’ve honestly just had really good success with it!

I’ve been really happy with it. I know one friend of mine got a different type of funnel, I don’t remember what brand she had, and she had technical difficulties. And I’ve heard a few people say they had issues specifically with funnel versions, and I think it has to do with the angle of the funnel, but for me, the GoPee humangear one works well because it allows me to not have to undress. In the outdoor community, and doing what I’m doing a lot of times with large groups of men, that’s huge for me. There can be little to nowhere to find privacy. So I’ve only used the humangear one, the GoPee. [See my reviews of best and worst pee funnels here.]

It’s a great stand-to-pee device! Worked first try for me.

Yes! And cleaning it is easy. I will usually unfold it completely and Clorox wipe it, or just wash it and soak it. I feel like it gets thoroughly clean.

That’s important! You need a pee funnel to be easy to clean.

Yeah! And I had attended the Appalachian trail days, and there was another device out there, a different brand. And you know, there’s the issue when you’re through-hiking that you’re really trying to minimize gear and space, so sometimes the ones that don’t fold down can be challenging. You might not want to have it hanging outside your backpack, but some people don’t mind, and that’s why it’s great that there are multiple options out there.

So what is your connection to humangear?

I reached out to them because I love the GoPee and I talk about it nonstop! [Laughs] I was leading women’s retreats and telling all of my clients about it because I use it on the trail. Finally, I was like, I should reach out to them and let them know that I love their product! So, we kind of collaborated a little bit with that.

Besides hiking, what do you enjoy doing outdoors?

Hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, climbing—you name it, I’ll do it. Camping is a huge thing with backpacking. I started using the GoPee really just for that, and then started to use it on the trail for hikes and my other outdoor activities. I do have friends who use their GoPee for traveling overseas for when they may not want to or be able to sit. So it was nice for them to have the ability to stand.

What was the first time you used a stand-to-pee device like?

I was camping on my birthday two years ago. And it was like a whole new world had been opened up to me. I remember using it and thinking, “Oh my goodness, why has this taken me so long?”

What benefits do you see to using this kind of device?

At least in my experience, and I can’t speak for everyone—in the past, hydrating, thinking about where I was going to go to the bathroom, knowing I was going to have to have to pull my clothes down to my knees at the minimum—it made me not want to go to the bathroom. And sometimes not even hydrate the way I should.

So that’s one of the biggest things I feel like is a benefit—it kind of levels the playing field between males and females in terms of the ease with which you can pee. I mean, obviously you still have to use a device, but I no longer am worrying about those logistics. I can hydrate to my heart’s content, I can stop anywhere on the trail and go to the bathroom, and no one sees anything. I angle it and I am fully covered.

I was recently on Mount Shasta, mountaineering, and there was ZERO place to not be exposed. And it was a huge benefit to have the GoPee, because I wasn’t thinking about it. I just did what I needed to do.

I think that’s a big thing, because I know when I hike a lot of times with women, there’s always the questions of, “Oh, I have to go to the bathroom, but where’s a spot? Where can I hide?” And even recently one of my friends on a hike went a little bit away, to find somewhere that was more covered, and she couldn’t find us. She eventually did, but there was a moment when she was panicking! She said, “I was yelling, but no one could hear me!”

So, safety is a big reason to use a stand-to-pee. Not getting separated from the group. It’s a big deal to stay close to one another, especially depending on what the environment is.

I’m also thinking about exposure to poison ivy, things that are typically off-trail, and if you stay on-trail, you won’t have to worry about it so much. Ticks. Snakes. Whatever it may be. So not really having to worry about that I think is a benefit!

Certainly hydration. Not having enough water can lead to higher risk of urinary tract infections, and certainly dehydration in general is not good for you. And holding your urine is not healthy either and can also lead to urinary tract infections.

In my experience, I’ve been hydrating more and not holding it as long, and I can imagine just from what I hear other women tell me, that the same would apply to them.

It just opened up a whole different world for me. There’s so much more ease. And even time! I waste less time. I don’t have to take my backpack all the way off--it’s just so much easier.  Also, if you’re in a cold environment, like on the mountain, in snow, it’s really great not to have to get fully undressed!

As a doctor, what do you make of negative rhetoric about the health benefits of stand-to-pee devices?

Last week I did a little video for humangear and I put up a question box, and I asked what people’s experiences were. I asked what your experience has been, would you use one of these devices, and if not, why not? And one person did say they would be hesitant to use one because of pelvic floor concerns.

So there’s a few things. I’ve been thinking about this a lot.

I think context is really important here. If someone is saying you should ONLY stand to pee, I’d say, maybe long-term, that’s not great for your pelvic floor. However, to say, “I’m using it in the context of traveling, or hiking, or camping,” then I don’t think there’s a concern. Because your other option is squatting, which is also not good for your pelvic floor.

Unless you have portable toilet seat you’re bringing with you into the woods, which I highly doubt, you’re going to be squatting, which is not great for your pelvic floor, or you’re going to be standing to pee. Between the two, because of everything I’ve mentioned, I think standing is a better choice.

That being said, everyone is an individual. Some people are perfectly happy squatting, and by all means do that. But I think what’s nice about stand-to-pee devices is that it allows an option for women that wasn’t always there. In that sense I think it’s really a positive.

Certainly with incontinence issues, if someone has pre-existing incontinence, or pelvic floor dysfunction, or prolapse—their story will be different than, say, mine. Everyone is an individual.

If someone is already struggling with incontinence, there is a concern about the cue of standing and peeing. Because the whole issue is control, and knowing your body will only relieve itself when sitting. If that’s going on, maybe it’s not the best device for you.

I don’t think it’s a black and white thing, like “this is bad” or “this is good.” I think taking into consideration what we would call in medicine “clinical context” is necessary. Clinical context is, “Hey, we have an option here, here are the pros, here are the cons,” just like with medication. There’s nothing without a potential con. There’s always a potential side effect to everything.

I’m not advocating all-day, every-day use. I’m saying if you’re out in the woods and the other option is squatting, it might benefit people. And in the studies I’ve seen, there was equal bladder emptying when standing as squatting, if there was a concern about that. But as with much of women’s research, we need more of it. I feel like it’s premature to extrapolate and make very definite answers.

Just from talking to you, I can see you have a real interest in stand-to-pee devices, bathroom access for women, those things—just like I do! What inspires you about this topic?

I think in general, anything that can be done to create more equality is really important to me. I do a lot of things that are more male-dominated. So as the only female, or one of the few females, it’s helpful to have one less thing to worry about. I don’t have to be like, “Hey guys, let’s slow down, I have to find a place to pee.” I like that it’s just like, “I’m gonna go to the bathroom too, just like you guys are.” And speaking from my own experience, that’s empowering.

And just trying to create more ease and comfort in the outdoor environment. I think there’s a lot of concerns that women face about being outside, like just overall safety, and it’s one less thing. I mean, I feel so vulnerable and exposed if I have myself undressed from the waist down and I’m squatting, especially because I hike by myself a lot of times too. This device also creates this sense of safety in that I don’t have to expose myself in that way. Anything that can be done to help women feel safe in an environment that often creates uncertainty or fear is a plus.

Absolutely! It’s one less thing to stress about and one more barrier removed.

And why not? Why not remove it? I think it’s so interesting when I hear negative things about stand-to-pee devices. Often we’re told of things that “can’t be done” to level the playing field in terms of barriers. To me, this is just great as an option. And like I said, it may not be an option that everyone wants to take, but at least it’s there.

And from a health perspective, for a lot of people getting outside is important to their exercise routine. Not everyone wants to be in a gym. Not everyone wants to be on a treadmill. For some people, being in nature is their way of being active!

Yes. Absolutely.

So in terms of talking about this—and I’m a big fan of talking about this—what reactions do you experience when you talk about these devices, from men, from women, from different people?

Most people are really interested. The majority of responses I’ve gotten are like, “Oh wow! That’s so cool.” But as much as there’s been that response—has that translated into people trying it? Not necessarily. [Laughs] I think with anything that is considered new, out of the ordinary, abnormal, or culturally different, there’s hesitancy. I think most women who I’ve been hiking with are interested in it, curious—I think curiosity would be the main word I’d use to describe it—but hesitant to try it themselves.

One of the big hesitations that I’ve found is that people think that a pee funnel will be hard to use, or they’ll have an accident, or kind of a mishap with it. Personally, I didn’t have that experience. I guess a lot of the hesitation can come from trying it outdoors and having it not work out, and in that case I’d encourage people to try it at home first. [Learn how to use a pee funnel step-by-step or check out trouble-shooting.]

And I think most people find it humorous, because I’ll stand with my legs in a V position and I’ll just go. [Laughs]

So I think a lot of interest, but not a lot of buy-in quite yet.

But that being said, the person who got a GoPee and used it while traveling really appreciated having that.

I haven’t heard too much negative stuff. Most of the men I know think it’s great. I have not had a single male comment in a negative way. And I really haven’t had a female comment that way either—but like I said, I just think there’s some hesitation.

Is there anything I haven’t asked you that’s important to you about this topic?

I think also in transgender care it can be helpful too. Overall, I think it can make people more comfortable with urinating in a way that feels right to them.

I think it’s just a great thing in terms of removing barriers, making things more accessible, and hopefully creating more comfort in the outdoors.

Thank you Dana! You can get Dana’s favorite pee funnel, the GoPee, here at humangear. You can also read my reviews of all 18 stand-to-pee devices. If you have questions, hit me up at gostandingup@gmail.com, and as always, I’d love for you to share your story!