Introduction and hypothesis: This study investigated the effect of sitting and non-sitting postures on uroflowmetric parameters and postvoid residual urine (PVR) and women's preferred voiding posture.
Methods: Female university students (N = 45) voided on a modified sitting-type toilet in three postures: sitting, semi-squatting, and crouching over. Data on uroflowmetric measures were collected using a weight transducer urodynamic device and PVR was estimated by transabdominal ultrasound.
Results: Voiding in the three postures did not differ in terms of PVR and five of six uroflowmetric outcomes. However, "delay time to void" was significantly longer while semi-squatting than while sitting and crouching over. Furthermore, 51.1% of women had bell-shaped urinary flow curves while sitting, whereas only 22.2% and 17.8% did while semi-squatting and crouching over, respectively. Most women (88.9%) preferred a non-sitting posture when using a public sitting-type toilet.
Conclusions: Women's preferred non-sitting void posture on public sitting-type toilet should be a concern.