# How would urine run down a woman's leg if the legs are spread wide so there's enough space? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790 "2019-03-08T21:49:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/21 "2019-03-09T01:16:24Z")
This is probably the only time I will ever get to relay this story told to me a long time ago. My friend was in the service and he and a buddy and a woman had stumbled out of a bar, everyone drunk as sailors. One guy set a beer bottle up and challenged his buddy that for 5 bucks he could get more pee in the bottle. The lady wanted in on the bet which brought about lots of laughter and drunken explanations. After the two guys failed miserably she dropped her panties and lifted her leg, big toe pointing downward towards the bottle. Then she pushed the, uh, lips, over to the side, peed down the inside of her leg, and neatly filled the bottle. It was suspected she had done it before. I’m outa here! Dennis ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/22 "2019-03-09T01:17:55Z")
The hair down there could possibly influence stream direction. ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/23 "2019-03-09T01:29:18Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > I’ll go ahead and blame the labia. Finally, we have a winner! There are 2 sets on labia (Latin word for lips) The labia majora (major lips) are the larger outer folds of skin. When people comment about a gymnast having a “camel toe”, they are talking about the snugness of the leotard that shows the labia majora. The labia minora (minor lips) are the thinner, inner folds of skin. They meet at the front of the perineum over the clitorus. Women have varying sizes of labia. If the labia are close together, there is not a clear path for the urine coming out of the urethra, and the urine can go many directions after it exits the body. The thighs could eventually be a factor, but the labia are the main impediments for urine flow. To do a “clean catch” urine sample, the woman needs to use two fingers on one hand to spread the labia minora apart and the other hand to hold the cup in the area to catch the urine without it coming in contact with the labia (and the normal bacteria that reside there) Takes coordination! ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/24 "2019-03-09T02:04:59Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > It’s a skill that has to be developed and if they didn’t get used to it as kids, they’re going to be on the steep side of the learning curve. It will be awkward and they’ll be at risk of doing it wrong. If they’re not practiced, they won’t want to risk it. > > Also, there’s no toilet paper in the wild, so they’re going to have wet underwear when they pull those back up. > > Regarding the shower - of course it goes down the leg. If I’m being drenched with water while standing on slick tile or porcelain, I’m just going to stand comfortably and let things take care of themselves. And perhaps that’s someone’s only experience of peeing while standing, so that’s all they know. > > Outside, things are more awkward. > > And regarding the ankles, it isn’t a matter of left or right, it’s stream spread and waver. Squatting both clears the nozzle and shortens the length of stream, so it has less spread before hitting the grass. > > My grandma was born in a time when public restrooms were nearly nonexistent on the road. She taught her granddaughters the use of coffee cans and paper cups. If you’re wearing a skirt and your undies are roomy (hers were) you won’t even be exposing anything. I don’t see why that much would get the on the ankles if the legs are really far apart, but I guess I can see why someone wouldn’t want to bother, although I personally think it would easier than squatting. I don’t think it would be that hard or risky to stand with the legs apart in a shower, but that’s just me. I know that there’s no toilet paper in the wild, but that would happen regardless of whether or not the person was standing or squatting, and women do squat when they’re camping or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/25 "2019-03-09T02:11:06Z")
> [@pudytat72](#): > > Finally, we have a winner! > There are 2 sets on labia (Latin word for lips) The labia majora (major lips) are the larger outer folds of skin. When people comment about a gymnast having a “camel toe”, they are talking about the snugness of the leotard that shows the labia majora. The labia minora (minor lips) are the thinner, inner folds of skin. They meet at the front of the perineum over the clitorus. > Women have varying sizes of labia. If the labia are close together, there is not a clear path for the urine coming out of the urethra, and the urine can go many directions after it exits the body. The thighs could eventually be a factor, but the labia are the main impediments for urine flow. > To do a “clean catch” urine sample, the woman needs to use two fingers on one hand to spread the labia minora apart and the other hand to hold the cup in the area to catch the urine without it coming in contact with the labia (and the normal bacteria that reside there) Takes coordination! Nobody seems to understand what I’m saying. I get that the stream or spray doesn’t come out perfectly, mine doesn’t, but if my legs are far apart there’s plenty of room so it won’t get on my body. The urine goes BETWEEN my legs, not on them. Thanks for trying to help though. ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/26 "2019-03-09T02:17:16Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > The hair down there could possibly influence stream direction. Nobody gets what I’m trying to say. I understand that the stream direction might not be perfect, sometimes it veers off a bit, mine does, but if my legs are far apart it doesn’t matter because there’s plenty of SPACE between them. Is it that these women have bigger thighs and aren’t thinking about that? There’s about 4 inches between my thighs when my legs are far apart. Would having hair down there cause the urine to veer off that much? ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/27 "2019-03-09T02:24:34Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > I’ll go ahead and blame the labia. I’m not asking what’s to blame, I’m asking why having the legs far apart would not prevent the problem. Does the urine veer off way too much, or is it that the thighs are too big? Do they not want to spread their legs that far because they don’t like how it feels? Are they trying to say it drips down the buttocks and the leg. So confused. ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/28 "2019-03-09T02:28:08Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Splashing. That’s all I’m saying. You mean splash back from the toilet? Or do you mean like little tiny drops that sort of like flick off the rest of the urine. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/29 "2019-03-09T02:37:18Z")
> [@jordan20](#): > > You mean splash back from the toilet? Or do you mean like little tiny drops that sort of like flick off the rest of the urine. No, no you misunderstand me. Backstory, I live in the woods. Numerous occasions I have had to pee outside. Yeah, I’m road broke. I can pee anywhere. It don’t matter if you do the splits 6in off the ground pee is gonna get on your leg, somehow. I suggest carrying baby wipes. I always have a roll of TP in my car too. Be prepared is my motto. Ya just never know what’s gonna happen out here. I’m not sure what the physics are, I just know if you don’t want it on you that’s when your gonna sit down in it, or step in it or splash it and get it everywhere. Murphy’s law, and all. P.S. I live on 90 acres I swear to God if an animal poops somewhere on this place I’m am gonna step in it. Never fails.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/30 "2019-03-09T02:43:38Z")
What an interesting question to sign up for a message board for. Actually, _everyone_ understands what you’re asking. You’ve been given the answer by the amusingly named **pudytat72**. One just needs to know how liquid works. If a stream of liquid is interrupted or “diverted” (via the labia) to one side, gravity and a certain level of adhesion of the liquid to the skin will guide the liquid to the right or left along the crotch, down the thigh, and to the rest of the leg. BTW, why didn’t you just ask these women who were discussing this? ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/31 "2019-03-09T02:43:52Z")
> [@jordan20](#): > > Nobody seems to understand what I’m saying. I get that the stream or spray doesn’t come out perfectly, mine doesn’t, but if my legs are far apart there’s plenty of room so it won’t get on my body. The urine goes BETWEEN my legs, not on them. Thanks for trying to help though. Then you are lucky that your labia are such that when your legs are far apart, your labia are also spread apart so that the urine comes out freely. Well, by golly! I tried it! Put one foot on either side of the toilet and peed. Urine went in the toilet and not down my legs. I would have predicted a failure on my part. ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/32 "2019-03-09T02:46:21Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > No, no you misunderstand me. Backstory, I live in the woods. Numerous occasions I have had to pee outside. Yeah, I’m road broke. I can pee anywhere. It don’t matter if you do the splits 6in off the ground pee is gonna get on your leg, somehow. I suggest carrying baby wipes. I always have a roll of TP in my car too. Be prepared is my motto. Ya just never know what’s gonna happen out here. I’m not sure what the physics are, I just know if you don’t want it on you that’s when your gonna sit down in it, or step in it or splash it and get it everywhere. Murphy’s law, and all. > P.S. I live on 90 acres I swear to God if an animal poops somewhere on this place I’m am gonna step in it. Never fails.🙂 You mean splash back up from the ground? Doesn’t seem like it would be that much whether you’re standing or squatting. These women are be saying that if they’re using a toilet it would run down the leg, not just if they’re outdoors. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/33 "2019-03-09T02:48:38Z")
> [@choie](#): > > What an interesting question to sign up for a message board for. Actually, _everyone_ understands what you’re asking. You’ve been given the answer by the amusingly named **pudytat72**. > > One just needs to know how liquid works. If a stream of liquid is interrupted or “diverted” (via the labia) to one side, gravity and a certain level of adhesion of the liquid to the skin will guide the liquid to the right or left along the crotch, down the thigh, and to the rest of the leg. > > BTW, why didn’t you just ask these women who were discussing this? I’m so glad someone explained it with science. ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/34 "2019-03-09T02:50:56Z")
> [@pudytat72](#): > > Then you are lucky that your labia are such that when your legs are far apart, your labia are also spread apart so that the urine comes out freely. > > Well, by golly! I tried it! Put one foot on either side of the toilet and peed. Urine went in the toilet and not down my legs. I would have predicted a failure on my part. My labia don’t spread when I’m standing with my legs apart. Like I said it doesn’t matter if the urine veers off because there’s a lot of space between my thighs. There’s about 4 inches between my thighs when my legs are spread far apart, maybe there’s only a little between your thighs. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/35 "2019-03-09T02:52:35Z")
> [@jordan20](#): > > You mean splash back up from the ground? Doesn’t seem like it would be that much whether you’re standing or squatting. These women are be saying that if they’re using a toilet it would run down the leg, not just if they’re outdoors. Don’t pee on a flat rock. Just saying. What are these women doing? Trying not to sit down on the toilet? I could see that being a big mess o’wetness. ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/36 "2019-03-09T03:02:12Z")
> [@choie](#): > > What an interesting question to sign up for a message board for. Actually, _everyone_ understands what you’re asking. You’ve been given the answer by the amusingly named **pudytat72**. > > One just needs to know how liquid works. If a stream of liquid is interrupted or “diverted” (via the labia) to one side, gravity and a certain level of adhesion of the liquid to the skin will guide the liquid to the right or left along the crotch, down the thigh, and to the rest of the leg. > > BTW, why didn’t you just ask these women who were discussing this? Are you saying that it drips from the buttocks and then the leg? Like it drips along the body the entire way down? If I’m standing some of it drips down the buttocks, but it stops there, it doesn’t run down the leg. Some of it runs down my buttocks when I’m sitting too, so that makes no difference. I tried asking, but I didn’t really get an answer. ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/37 "2019-03-09T03:06:28Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Don’t pee on a flat rock. Just saying. What are these women doing? Trying not to sit down on the toilet? I could see that being a big mess o’wetness. They were explaining what would happen if they stood. Almost all say that it would run down their leg. Sometimes they say legs. Sometimes they say dribbles or trickles or drips. They all basically say the same thing. I had no clue what they are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/38 "2019-03-09T03:10:57Z")
Well, I don’t think we can answer the question if we don’t know the question. Go back and get some clarification and come back and tell us. ---
**Author:** ![jordan20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jordan20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordan20)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/39 "2019-03-09T03:22:52Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Well, I don’t think we can answer the question if we don’t know the question. Go back and get some clarification and come back and tell us. I thought the question was clear, but I guess not. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790/40 "2019-03-09T03:26:17Z")
> [@jordan20](#): > > Nobody seems to understand what I’m saying. I get that the stream or spray doesn’t come out perfectly, mine doesn’t, but if my legs are far apart there’s plenty of room so it won’t get on my body. The urine goes BETWEEN my legs, not on them. Thanks for trying to help though. But if the urine is hitting the labia on its way out, it can and in fact DOES run down the leg. Apparently you’re missing that not every woman in the world is built exactly the same way, and that not every woman in the world has learned to open her vulva wide. You’re doing it (from what you say, unconsciously); other women aren’t good at doing it or don’t even realize they need to do it. And many women can’t do it while standing up straight; we need to squat to a greater or lesser degree. As for “it stops at the buttocks”, that would be a really tiny pee! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-urine-run-down-a-womans-leg-if-the-legs-are-spread-wide-so-theres-enough-space/830790.md?page=3)