We’ve all heard that the color of your pee can hint at what’s happening inside your body — but did you know the length of your bathroom pit stops could reveal hidden health issues, too?
According to Dr. Stephen Freedland, a urologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, your average bathroom visit shouldn’t last longer than 30 seconds once you start peeing. “If it takes you a minute to empty your bladder, that’s a problem,” he told The Washington Post. Dr. Janis Miller, the expert behind MyConfidentBladder.com, goes even further: she says anything over 20 seconds could be a red flag.
So, what’s the deal? Interestingly, most mammals over three kilos — whether it’s a dog, a horse, or you — tend to pee for about 21 seconds. It’s all down to gravity and good old physics.
If you regularly find yourself in the bathroom for longer, it might mean you’re overhydrating, waiting too long between breaks, or unknowingly training your bladder to overstretch — a habit nicknamed “nurse’s bladder” or “teacher’s bladder.” Over time, this can weaken your bladder muscles and make trips to the bathroom drag on even longer.
Lengthy peeing can also point to bigger health concerns like diabetes, prostate trouble, or even neurological issues. So when should you see a doctor? An occasional long pee is usually fine, but if you’re frequently clocking overtime on the toilet — or you notice blood, pain, strange colors, or trouble emptying your bladder — the Mayo Clinic says it’s time to get checked out.