Is your wee fit?

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WEE WORRY: It smells… wrong

THE LOWDOWN Urine should always smell, well, distinctive. More so when it’s concentrated due to dehydration, according to Dr David Malouf, president of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand. But if it’s so strong not even Revlon Charlie could out-stink it, and you haven’t been dining on asparagus, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, adds Dr Malouf. Get thee to a doctor.

WEE WORRY: You’re busy, so you hold on

THE LOWDOWN It’s not dangerous to stop the flow – occasionally. Doing it regularly, says Dr Malouf, can overstretch the bladder and cause permanent injury. “As a general rule, hit the bathroom every three to four hours.”

WEE WORRY: You force one before bed

THE LOWDOWN Straining to wee won’t damage you, says WH health expert Dr Ginni Mansberg, but running to the loo every time you think you need to go isn’t doing you any favours. “This could actually weaken your pelvic floor muscles – so wait until you’re certain you need to pee to build them up,” says Dr Mansberg. Remember: better Kegels = better sex.

WEE WORRY: You pee in your pool (the chlorine kills the nasties, right?)

THE LOWDOWN Actually, there are no nasties in wee. The chlorine would only come into play if you peed and had an untreated infection at the time – in which case the bacteria wouldn’t survive, says Dr Malouf. You can even drink your own pee if you’re desperate enough. “It is sterile, you can do it. While it contains waste products, it also carries some water, so if you were in the desert and had no other options, bottoms up,” says Dr Mansberg.

WEE WORRY: Your pee is pinker than the Barbie aisle at Toys ’R’ Us

THE LOWDOWN Normal urine should look clear or pale yellow – dark pee means you may be dehydrated. Pink pee, on the other hand, could be due to excessive beetroot eating, but it’s safer to assume that it’s due to traces of blood, says Dr Mansberg. “Don’t panic, but do go to the GP and provide a urine sample.” It could indicate an infection, or kidney or bladder stones – or in rare cases, a bladder tumour.

WEE WORRY: You need to go, but little or nothing ends up coming out

THE LOWDOWN A bladder or urinary tract infection (UTI) could be on the way. Lucky you. It may never become a full-blown UTI, says Dr Mansberg, but unfortunately if it does, you can’t stop it. “There’s disappointing evidence to show that cranberry juice can stop UTIs, but if you want to try it, opt for the tablets, not sugary juice. Ural sachets only help with the symptoms, but water is the go. You want to flush out the bugs.”