Criticisms of Stand-to-Pee Devices
Stand-to-pee devices (STPs) have attracted some criticism, and sometimes straight up hate. I’m going to address some of those criticisms here, and I’ll try to represent them fairly.
I want to be really clear: no one has to use pee funnels if they don’t want to. I want to spread awareness, not make people feel bad because they aren’t into it. There’s nothing wrong with just saying “this isn’t my thing.”
In addition, some people may have trauma around this topic, as discussed in the On Trauma section. This is certainly something I want to be mindful of and respect. If your experiences have lead you to be unable or unwilling to use an STP, there’s no shame in that.
This section is specifically to address general criticisms of STPs that I have personally encountered. There may be more out there, but this is what I’ve run into!
If you’re a cis woman who wants to pee standing up, you’re saying the way men do things is better than the way women do things.
Okay, I have to come clean! I used to think this way. I never articulated it to myself, but I’ve seen this implied so many times: peeing standing up is FOR MEN and peeing sitting down/squatting is FOR WOMEN, and as a woman I would somehow be “letting the side down” by peeing upright. I’d be saying that being a man is better (in this particular way) than being a woman, and that would be offensive, because it would be saying that being a woman is bad.
Some thoughts on this:
Peeing standing up is for anyone who wants to, not just cisgender men. If you like to think of it as masculine, that’s awesome! But you don’t have to.
I think at this point in history we can agree that “men do it, so women shouldn’t” is less than ideal as an argument. Voting and going to school and driving and wearing pants and holding public office were once only for men too… and there were biological arguments why women couldn’t do such things.
I think being a woman is very cool; I enjoy being a woman. I know others view it as a neutral state, something one doesn’t think about too much; I know others struggle with it. I honestly don’t think pee has to enter into it.
Using tools to make life easier is part of being human! I use a menstrual disc so I don’t have to waste money on tampons or bleed all over myself. It makes my period easier. Doesn’t mean I hate being a woman.
What is wrong with squatting? Normalize squatting. Women are not being taught how to squat effectively, and that does them a disservice. You shouldn’t need a pee funnel.
Nothing is wrong with squatting. Some people using STPs will not stop anyone from squatting. I have no hate in my heart for squatting. I’ve done it many times and I was pretty good at it before my knees got weird. If you prefer to squat, rock on! I’d say it’s a useful skill to have, if you can do it and want to do it. And it absolutely SHOULD be normalized for those who like it! Seriously, go for it.
But it really bothers me when people act like squatting is a viable option for everyone. If it needs saying, here’s a breakdown:
Some people are disabled and cannot squat
Some people prefer to stand for reasons of gender affirmation
Some people are uncomfortable exposing their body while squatting
Some people just find it more convenient to stand. I have done it both ways and I find it easier to stand. I notice no one tells cisgender men to squat when they pee outside.
We shouldn’t advocate for stand-to-pee devices because we should be advocating for more facilities/better infrastructure.
There certainly SHOULD be more facilities and better infrastructure, especially in terms of gender-neutral bathrooms. This is a feminist issue, an issue of disabilities rights, and a queer issue. It’s important to advocate for these changes, and, in my opinion, it is also ok to use a pee funnel and promote awareness. This is a “both/and” situation. One does not preclude the other.
I firmly believe in bathroom parity and equity. STPs are not a solution to this kind of inequality.
Also, let’s be realistic: are there are going to be public bathrooms in every remote corner of nature? Every fifteen miles down the highway? On every small fishing boat? On deployment? Advocating for better facilities is essential, but when used as an argument against use of STPs, it boils down to “women and disabled people should stick to where the indoor plumbing is.” Not all of us want that leash.
And as with other arguments, this fails to consider both the question of gender affirmation and the question of preference. Does it hurt anybody if it feels right to pee a certain way?
They just don’t work reliably!
One thing is true: if you can’t make an STP work reliably, it isn’t much good. I don’t want a pee funnel that might fail at an important time. But they work for many people, so to say they “just don’t work” isn’t true.
For most people, honestly, it doesn’t INSTANTLY work. For an STP to “work reliably,” two things have to happen: you have to get the one that fits your body, circumstances, and clothing, and you have to practice. So like any skill, it takes research, time and effort. But that’s all it is: a skill. If you want to learn, you can. If you don’t, don’t.
They cause [XZY medical issue].
I’m not a doctor. Please talk to your doctor if you have concerns about using an STP. Getting correct information is important because there is a lot of fear-mongering out there.
One thing that I believe is commonly accepted is that if you don’t empty your bladder completely you are at greater risk for an infection. (The Cleveland Clinic lists it as a cause of recurrent UTIs here: Cleveland Clinic.) I am always careful to COMPLETELY empty my bladder when using a pee funnel. As addressed in the “How to Pee Standing Up” section, when you first practice using these devices, full emptying may be hard, so if you still need to go, you might want to pee in your usual way after practicing. I have heard on the wilds of the internet (never from a doctor) that it is “impossible” to fully drain your bladder while standing if you are a cis woman. I will simply say it possible for me.
I’ll add that I have not noticed any problems with my pelvic floor, have not had any infections, and in general have not suffered any dire medical consequences from STP use. But that’s me. Talk to a doc.
Actually, women can pee standing up without a pee funnel.
Very cool that some people can do this, but since not all can, I would say there is still a need for STPs.
Misogynist malarkey
I know I said I would represent these criticisms fairly, but anything to do with “gender means you can’t do things” is dumb. Here’s a rapid fire set of responses to these types of statements:
You just want to be a man. Is peeing truly at the core of manhood? Is that the beating heart of masculinity: urination? I don’t find peeing impacts my gender. Does my peeing impact your gender?
Are you trans? Nah. Nothing wrong with that though. Also, are trans people the only people allowed to play with gender? I think we should all play a little.
It’s unnatural/weird: No, because I am a mammal and I do it. Very natural.
Is this a piss kink? I don’t shame kinks. But if anything, this is a convenience kink.
Use a toilet you filthy b--- Thanks, random internet man! I will think of you fondly as I pee wherever the heck I want.
You’re going to get a disgusting [negative word] infection. You’re going to get arrested for public urination and become a sex offender. You’re disgusting. And yet here I am, uninfected, a free woman. I might be disgusting, but not for urological reasons.
In short, pee how you want. Remember that there are a variety of reasons to use a stand-to-pee device. We’re all just out here doing our best!