A guide to choosing the best portable urinal for women
- What is a "female" urinal
- Different types of female urinals
- How do you use a female urinal
- How to buy a female urinal
Portable urinals have historically been categorized into “male urinals” and “female urinals,” a simplistic shorthand like “blue” and “pink,” which ultimately fails to recognize the variety of identity and gender expression in our modern culture. This is predicated on the flawed assumption that “male” means having a penis and “female” means having a vagina - a traditionally binary definition, and not always true. At Boom Home Medical, the Loona is designed for anyone with a vulva, that includes women, and a whole host of others, no matter how they do (or don't) identify.
When it comes to choosing the best portable urinal, there is no shortage of choices. But not all portable urinals are the same and it’s important to consider a number of factors when selecting one to purchase. Things like a urinal’s comfort, durability, quietness, and even its aesthetic appeal can dramatically impact how you feel about using it – and even how you feel about yourself.
There are lots of reasons to use a urinal. Doctors and nurses frequently recommend them when mobility is an issue for their patients. They might recommend a urinal to their patients who have broken a leg, ankle, foot, or for patients who have become physically weak after a long illness. Urinals can also be helpful for people with bladder issues, particularly conditions like urge incontinence and overactive bladder which make getting to the bathroom in time to avoid an accident challenging.
However, many people use urinals simply because they’re convenient. If you put a urinal by your bedside, you’ll no longer have to walk to the bathroom at night when you wake up with the urge to pee. And, if you put one in your car ( list of the best urinals for road trips ), you’ll be able to zip past rest stops and make it to your destination more quickly!
If you’ve arrived at this article after searching for “female urinals”, read on and get answers to a few questions:
- What do people mean when they say “female” urinal?
- What are the different types of “female” urinals?
- How do you use a “female” urinal?
- What should you look for when buying a “female” urinal?
- Where can you buy a “female” urinal?
What do people mean when they say “female” urinal?
A portable urinal is simply a container used to collect urine and, when people use the term “female urinal”, they are usually referring to one that is specially designed for a cis woman’s anatomy. This doesn’t necessarily mean the user identifies as female or that the user needs to be a woman. Basically, these urinals are designed for anyone with a vulva.
Female urinals typically have a large, oval-shaped mouth, around 5 or 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. (The mouths of “male” urinals on the other hand are usually rounded and only about two to three inches wide.) Frequently, the neck, or the part of the urinal that connects the mouth to the reservoir where urine is collected, is angled slightly. This allows female urinals to be positioned in front of the legs instead of between them, making them far more comfortable to use. Made of durable plastic, female urinals should be both lightweight and resistant to breaking and cracking. The plastic, which is generally semi-opaque or opaque, is commonly labeled so that urine can be measured and urine output monitored.
What are the different types of female urinals?
Although there are many different companies selling female urinals, most products on the market are very similar to one another in both form and function. They consist of three parts: a mouth which is the opening that is placed up against their body, a reservoir that captures and collects urine, and a neck connecting these two parts.
Loona, our new and innovative product, has reinvented what portable urinals look like and how they function. Loona is designed to appear more like a beautiful vase than a jug, and many of its features make it more convenient and easy-to-use than other urinals. Loona’s soft, contoured funnel creates a comfortable and secure seal against your body, its snap close lid prevents spills and leaks, and it’s broad, stable base ensures that it stays upright when it’s not in use.
There is one other line of products which, while not technically urinals, should be mentioned. Referred to as urination devices or pee funnels, products like GoGirl and Tinkle Belle are silicone funnels that allow people without a penis to urinate comfortably standing upright. Urination devices are designed to direct urine away from the body in the same way a penis does. Although they can come in extremely handy when camping, hiking, or traveling ( see our list of the best camping urinals ), they do not store urine so there are limitations on what they can do and the ways you might use them.
How do you use a female urinal?
Female urinals can be used in a number of different ways – all of them simple! The most common positions for using a urinal are standing or seated; some urinals are designed to also be used laying down. Regardless of the position you opt for, all you have to do is hold the mouth of the urinal snugly against your body and pee. It’s as easy as that.
Although it’s almost impossible to do incorrectly, there are several things to keep in mind to help prevent spills and accidents. Be sure to grasp the handle of the urinal securely to avoid dropping it. Also, use gentle pressure to hold the urinal against your body and ensure a good seal. This will help keep urine going where it is supposed to – inside the urinal. And, finally, wait until you’re completely done urinating before pulling the urinal away from your body. Because many people’s urinary stream starts and stops, removing the urinal prematurely, before the bladder is completely empty, can cause a bit of a mess.
After using a urinal, you have two options. You can either dispose of the contents in a toilet or down a sink immediately or find a place to put the urinal where it can sit securely and can’t be knocked over and then empty it later on.
What should I look for when buying a female urinal?
The most important thing to take into consideration when purchasing a portable urinal is how you plan to use it. Do you plan to keep it by your bedside? Or is the urinal something you want to use when you’re on-the-go? If you intend to use the urinal at home at night, you might want to look for a product with a glow-in-the-dark handle so that it will be easy to find in the dark. You’ll definitely want to look for one that is attractive and looks like it belongs in your home, as most urinals currently on the market are downright unattractive. If, on the other hand, you think you’ll primarily use the urinal in your car, other features like a secure locking mechanism will be the most important things to consider.
Where can I buy a female urinal?
Urinals are sold at drug stores like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. Brick and mortar medical supply stores also carry them. If you’d rather purchase a urinal on-line, try Amazon, as they sell dozens of different ones. A quick and easy way? Visit BoomHomeMedical.com.
Although people rarely talk about them, female urinals are an effective and convenient solution to many challenges ranging from incontinence to dirty public restrooms. And, although they have been traditionally designed for cis women’s anatomy, “female” urinals can really be used by anyone with a vulva - no matter how they do (or don’t) identify. Whether you find yourself desperately trying to get to the toilet in time, frantically searching for open bathrooms, or simply dreading the thought of getting out of bed and walking to the toilet at night, a female portable urinal may well be the answer.
This article was written by Dr. Shani Saks