When it comes to personal hygiene habits, few topics get more contested (or uncontroversial) than whether men need to wipe up when they pee. For some, wiping may feel uncomfortably or incongruous, thanks to decades of practice and social conditioning. But in our changing attitudes towards hygiene and health, should men dispense with the old shake and go in favour of wiping?
This article looks at science, culture and practical logic behind the controversy, and sheds light on one of hygiene’s most neglected topics.
The Present Standard: The “Shake and Go” Approach
Men have always held the view that urinating is not necessary to wipe. For men, the standard approach is to rinse out the last remnants of urine and then pack their body into their underwear or trousers. It’s a behavior that usually arises for several reasons:
Cultural Conditioning: Boys are taught from a young age that shaking is enough. Boys tend to get less intensive instruction about swatting after puking than girls.
Comfort & Quickness: Shaking only takes a few seconds and wiping requires more effort and maybe some paper or tissue. In a world where efficiency is valued, most men choose the quick route.
Expected Cleanliness: Men believe their bodies are cleaner because urination requires less contact with it. You wipe it because, as with women, bacteria clumping up is not so much a problem for men.
But culture and tradition don’t necessarily mean that what’s working today is good. We can’t decide whether men really should wipe up when they pee unless we take three major considerations into account: cleanliness, health, and social attitudes.
The Hygiene Argument: It Might Be Reasonable To Wipe You Down.
While “shake and go” is a generalized strategy, there are many hygienic reasons for men to wipe after wetting themselves.
1. Dealing With Residual Urine
It doesn’t matter how much you shake, there will almost always be remnants of urine on the tip of the penis. This watery residue can end up on underwear, leaving a damp space. This eventually creates unpleasant smells or even itchiness.
You can help avoid these problems by wiping them off with a square or two of toilet paper, which soaks up any traces of urine. This is something a normal person could easily do in order to feel better throughout the day.
2. Lowering Bacteria Growth Risks.
Although men have fewer UTIs than women, bacteria can persist on or near the genitals if not cleaned properly. Urine left over is a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, particularly when mixed with sweat and body heat. In the long run, this can cause pain or even tiny wounds.
A quick wipe will greatly mitigate these dangers by making sure that you have a clean, dry surface.
3. Odor Control
Well let’s face it: no one likes the smell of a soiled body, and urine in underwear is a nuisance smell. During a day’s work – whether at a desk, on errands or in the gym – those tiny little particles of residual urine can smell pungent. Wiping men literally puts a stop to the odor of urine.
Facts for Life: Why Men Don’t Wash Their Faces
Although the rationale behind wiping is sound, there are practical reasons why most men won’t try it.
1. Habit and Awareness
Wiping after urinating may not occur to men who’ve lived with this shake and go pattern all their lives. Many will feel the practice is redundant, if not embarrassing. Morals instill in men the belief that wiping is exclusively feminine, keeping men from questioning their traditions.
2. Lack of Facilities
Public toilets don’t have the resources that would encourage wiping. The women’s facilities are always prepared with toilet paper in every seat, while the men’s are focused on urinals, which may or may not have tissue in common. For a hurrying man, or a urinal user, wiping might not make practical sense.
3. Misconceptions About Masculinity
Some men see wiping as a feminine behaviour. Masculinity can be perpetuated by collective stories about men, which encourage men to choose simplicity, toughness and minimalism, even when it comes to private tasks such as hygiene. But remember, hygiene is not gendered; it’s a universal issue of self-care and body respect.
Health Benefits of Wiping: A Balanced Perspective
We should address the underlying question: do men’s wiping after they urinate actually improve their health? The quick answer is yes, but with restrictions.
Wiping works particularly well for men with certain medical conditions. For example:
Men without Circumcision: If you’re a non-circumcised man, keep the foreskin and glans clean and dry to avoid infections such as balanitis (a skin condition that involves inflammation of the head of the penis).
Men with Health Conditions: Older men, or those who have a prostate condition that leads to dribbling or inconsistent urination might also use wiping to better maintain hygienic routines.
It’s likely to be more about convenience and hygiene than avoiding serious diseases for men who don’t have any major health issues. Even these “small” positives can nonetheless lead to a greater sense of wellbeing in the long run.
Is It Time to Make Wiping for Men Normal?
Hygiene habits tend to change over time and through culture. As menstruation, skin care and other dietary practices have become more widely discussed and experimental, so has the discourse itself. Likewise, the shame or shaming of men wiping after they pee might go away if people began to treat it as an easy, sensible form of self-care.
And hygiene isn’t about being a good male or female: it’s about being confident, relaxed, and spotless. Wiping after urinating, even though it might not be mandatory, is not “manly”. Instead, it communicates care and concern for one’s own health.
Quick Tips for Men Who Want to Go To The Shower Before Going To The Shower.
If you’re a skeptic, here are some tips on how to make wiping work for you:
Pack Tissues: If you’re nervous about the dearth of resources at public bathrooms, pack a pack of tissues (or wipes that can be flushed).
Start Small: Wash your hands in your own home. This will help normalize the practice without feeling “pressured” to do it out in public.
Educate Yourself: If you’re aware of your personal hygiene needs and the importance of sweeping, you may be better able to encourage yourself to do so.
Conclusion: Should Guys Pee After They Come?
Ultimately, whether men should wipe after puking depends on personal preference and hygiene concerns. Wiping has more obvious benefits in terms of cleanliness, deodorisation, and even fitness, but shaking will do most men just fine without any noticeable problems.
What’s important is choosing wisely. In a society that’s always shifting hygiene protocols based on information, there’s nothing wrong with revisiting a previous habit – wiping or otherwise. As a matter of fact, just a few extra seconds spent cleaning the bathroom is a small step towards a more healthy, cleaner, and confident life.
