Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.

Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle blog tells readers to urinate in the shower and have more sex to improve pelvic floor muscles

In a post on her lifestyle website Goop, she revealed to fans that they've been peeing wrong their whole lives

Siobhan Fenton
Saturday 25 July 2015 13:16 BST
Comments

Since it first launched in 2008, Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle website Goop has been baffling and delighting readers in equal measure with its eccentric advice.

The 42-year-old actress uses the platform to give loyal fans tips on how to emulate her healthy lifestyle. But a recent post might just give even the most ardent followers pause for thought.

A post titled ‘The Secrets of the Pelvic Floor’ urges readers to urinate in the shower in order to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles.

It says: “Try peeing in the shower squatting down. When you squat to pee as opposed to sitting straight up on the toilet, you automatically engage your pelvic floor and it naturally strengthens and tones.

“Because your urethra is pointed straight down in this position all you have to do is relax for urine to flow out easily- as opposed to sitting up straight and having to strain to empty your bladder.”

If that doesn’t work, the post also suggests having sex to boost pelvic floor power:

“Having sex is not only fun, but it’s great for your body, mind, spirit, and pelvic floor- and it helps you exist in the moment.

“Sex chemically elevates mood and reduces depression, and orgasms trigger a rush of endorphins and human growth hormones, whilst also reducing cortisol levels. Practice squeezing and letting go [your pelvic muscles]… your partner will love it.”

It’s not the first time that Goop has been the subject of controversy for posting unconventional health and lifestyle tips. It has previously advocated ‘vagina steams’, composed a guide to affordable yachting weekends, and recipes on how to cook using ‘sex dust’.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in