# Urination - A Straight Dope Favourite **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 1999, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186 "1999-12-04T22:21:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Arken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 1999, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/1 "1999-12-04T22:21:00Z")
Since unka Cece does such a good job at answering questions about bodily functions, I thought I’d give the message board a crack… Why is it not too difficult (at least when you’re younger) to “hold it in” but always next to impossible, or at least pretty painful and uncomfortable, to stop once you’ve started? I’m sure the Nobel committee is waiting for anyone to solve this one. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 1999, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/2 "1999-12-04T22:42:00Z")
This won’t serve to answer your question at all, but I’ve heard that women can turn off the faucet in midstream much more easily than men can. ---
**Author:** ![lvick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d07c76/32.png) [@lvick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lvick)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 1999, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/3 "1999-12-04T22:46:00Z")
There are 2 sphincter muscles involed in micturition, 1 voluntary the other autonomic, stopping the flow with the first, especially if you really need to go, is lots of work, Larry ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 1999, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/4 "1999-12-05T01:31:00Z")
As long as we’re on the subject, why is it that when we’re out running around we seem to be able to hold off pretty much indefinitely. But the minute we get home, or anywhere a restroom is available, the urge becomes much more irresistible? Peace, mangeorge * * * Work like you don’t need the money… Love like you’ve never been hurt… Dance like nobody’s watching! …(Paraphrased) ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 1999, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/5 "1999-12-05T02:04:00Z")
mangeorge, you’ve been trained pavlovian-like. If you don’t have it available, your body ignores the need. The second one is available, your body kicks in again, saying “I need this!” BTW, I don’t know about you guys, but I can start and stop freely, no pain involved. Maybe I’m more evolved than you… 🙂 –Tim ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 1999, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/6 "1999-12-05T05:48:00Z")
Rysdad- Tis all that exercise…Kegels! ---
**Author:** ![lvick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d07c76/32.png) [@lvick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lvick)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 1999, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/7 "1999-12-05T08:19:00Z")
Kegels are wonderful, larry ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 1999, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/8 "1999-12-05T15:42:00Z")
I can do it. But then why would anyone want to? THink about it. You power up your muscles to put extreme pressure on your bladder to force the urine to come out. Its that pressure you put that Kegel muscles deal with. ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 1999, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/9 "1999-12-06T17:18:00Z")
I know after a few trips to the kegel, I have to urinate… * * * Yer pal, Satan ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 1999, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/10 "1999-12-06T19:07:00Z")
\*\*Mangeorge \*\* > [@](#): > > As long as we’re on the subject, why is it that when we’re out running around we seem to be able to hold off pretty much indefinitely. But the minute we get home, or anywhere a restroom is available, the urge > becomes much more irresistible? I believe the need is inversely proportional to the square of the distance to the facilities. If someone with math skills greater than I were to double check and publish this, there is a Nobel prize in the wings. * * * Once in a while you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right… ---
**Author:** ![JoltSucker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@JoltSucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoltSucker)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 1999, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/11 "1999-12-06T21:59:00Z")
I once heard a Vietnam-era military story about how Marines used to hold it in all day while traipsing through the jungle, then crap/piss on command once a secure perimeter had been established. Their fear was that their droppings would give them away. Obviously, the fear of getting blown away was enough of a Pavlovian incentive to control their urges. ---
**Author:** ![Flypsyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@Flypsyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flypsyde)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 1999, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/12 "1999-12-06T22:11:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I know after a few trips to the kegel, I have to urinate… Yeah, but most people walk _away_ from the kegel before they urinate, Satan. * * * “Bodie, I noticed you stopped stuttering.” “I’ve been giving myself shock treatments.” “Up the voltage.” -_Real Genius_ ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 1999, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/13 "1999-12-06T22:34:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I believe the need is inversely proportional to the square of the distance to the facilities. If someone with math skills greater than I were to double check and publish this, there is a Nobel prize in the wings. Close, it’s proportional to the square of the distance. When can I pick up my ticket to Stockholm? Joltsucker, I noticed a similar phenomenon in navy boot camp. Almost no one can take a crap for about the first week. Mind you navy boot is so easy my gray haired old mama could do it but some guys are so rattled by the new experience and getting barked at by a company commander and no walls around the shitters that the plumbing takes a break. ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 1999, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/14 "1999-12-06T22:37:00Z")
And the constant of proportion is pi (we decided it’s officially pronounced “pee”, right?) Where’s my Nobel? ---
**Author:** ![neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neuro-trash_grrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 1999, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/15 "1999-12-07T00:33:00Z")
I seem to recall reading somewhere that once you have consciously acknowledged that you have to pee, the urge gets even stronger than it was before. Also, I don’t know about you, but I have a very easy time “turning off the faucet”, as it were. It’s come in habdy a few times when I couldn’t find any facilities, ducked behind a bush or something, and only then noticed that it wasn’t as secure from prying eyes as I had been led to believe. * * * “That’s entertainment!” —Vlad the Impaler ---
**Author:** ![neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neuro-trash_grrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 1999, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/16 "1999-12-07T00:34:00Z")
It’s come in habdy? Right. It’s also come in handy. * * * “That’s entertainment!” —Vlad the Impaler ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 1999, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/17 "1999-12-07T00:37:00Z")
\Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Dope; Don’t you dribble, Don’t you mope. Up above the pot so high Like a word that ends in -gry \ (pause for big laffs!) 😃😃😃 * * * Save The Endangered Jackalope! Send Cash Now! If You Do This, I Will Use The Cash To Save Any Jackalope That I Happen To Find! Send Cash Now! Before It’s Too Late! My Bills, I Mean **The Jackalope’s Bills** Are Due The 15th Of The Month! _This has been a message from the Illuminated Committee To Save The Jackalope. Fnord._ ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 1999, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/18 "1999-12-08T06:35:00Z")
Maybe I’d have laffed if i wasn’t for the INFERNAL BLINK COMMAND!! _mumbles something to himself about tracking down the person who came up with th blink command in HTML and blinking his existance off the face of th earth_ * * * Yer pal, Satan ---
**Author:** ![Arken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 1999, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/19 "1999-12-08T02:19:00Z")
So basically what most of you are saying is that I’m a big freak that can’t control my own pee. Oh well. I suspected as much. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@Lord\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 1999, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186/20 "1999-12-08T04:47:00Z")
Don’t take it that hard. I’ll agree, I can hold it a long time but once started, I hate to try to stop. Being a one man office and the phone system being as it is, as soon as I start to take a piss the phone rings. So, I have to make this effort a lot. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urination-a-straight-dope-favourite/5186.md?page=2)