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Journalism of Courage
Every morning, Pooja Agarwal, 28, would dread one simple thing about going to work: using the office washroom. “Smells, improper flushing, dirty seats and floors, the scent of cheap cleaning products that trigger headaches, layers of fragrance masking odours, poor ventilation, water supply issues — I don’t feel clean after coming out of such a loo,” she tells indianexpress.com.
Her solution? “I was tired of delaying using the washroom, so I would request the company next door to kindly let me and other women use their loo, citing water issues. Or I would find a restaurant nearby and use theirs.”
It sounds extreme, but Agarwal’s experience reflects a growing workplace wellness concern that few talk about — washroom anxiety. Many Indian employees are holding in their urine for hours, overthinking before answering nature’s call, and experiencing genuine distress over something as basic as using the washroom.
The consequences of this avoidance can be serious. Agarwal’s washroom anxiety led to a urinary tract infection. “My UTI flared up again because I was holding it in and not drinking enough water to avoid going. I had to take time off work, but no one saw it as a workplace issue,” she says.
Dr M Gopichand, senior consultant urologist at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, warns that “‘holding it in’ is harmful to urological health. It supports the growth of bacteria, which can cause UTIs that spread to the kidneys and result in pyelonephritis, a dangerous infection.” Over time, he adds, holding urine can strain the bladder muscles, leading to incomplete emptying and a cycle of infection and retention.
The dangers extend beyond the urinary system. “Washroom avoidance doesn’t just cause constipation — it can also lead to inflammation, faecal impaction or faecal incontinence,” Dr Gopichand says. In severe cases, he adds, it can even cause bowel perforation, where stool spills into the abdominal cavity, creating life-threatening conditions.
Dr Varun Mittal, head of kidney transplant at Artemis Hospitals, adds, “Holding in urine disrupts the bladder’s rhythm, encourages bacterial growth, weakens bladder muscles and, in extreme cases, can damage the kidneys, leading to infections, pain and long-term urinary problems.”
The crisis has a clear gender dimension. “People don’t understand the gender dynamics of this issue. Lack of hygiene makes it difficult for women to use the space, while male colleagues get away with inconsiderate use of the loo,” Agarwal says.
For pregnant employees, the stakes are even higher. “The increased weight and pressure of the uterus on the bladder can prevent urine from emptying, putting pregnant employees at higher risk of UTIs,” Dr Gopichand explains.
Dr Dhruva G Prakash, consultant urologist at DHEE Hospitals, adds, “Hormonal changes during pregnancy relax the urinary tract, making it easier for bacteria to enter. Avoiding washroom visits increases this risk and can even cause bladder distension, lower abdominal pressure or premature contractions.”
For some, washroom anxiety is rooted in mental health struggles. Sakshi Bahl, 35, who has hygiene-related OCD, finds office washrooms particularly stressful. “Before entering, so many thoughts come to mind — has the person before me flushed properly? Is there clean tissue? Will the seat be clean? I also hope the floor isn’t wet and that my dress doesn’t touch it. These thoughts make the experience stressful rather than routine.”
Bahl has adapted by carrying her own toilet roll and checking with colleagues first. “Before using it, I even ask my colleague if it’s clean,” she says.
Neha Parashar, clinical psychologist at Mindtalk, explains, “Washroom anxiety often stems from a lack of privacy, fear of judgement and hygiene concerns. Employees who are self-conscious or highly sensitive to cleanliness tend to feel greater discomfort.”
The impact on productivity is real. “When employees suppress natural urges, their bodies stay in a mild state of stress,” says Parashar. “This tension can cause irritability, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Over time, it drains cognitive energy and interferes with focus.”
Anish M, 32, agrees. “I’m not able to concentrate fully on my work. Sometimes I even take the day off because of it,” he says. His triggers include “finding gum in the urinal” or “someone spitting where they’re urinating.”
Organisational psychologist Gurleen Baruah of That Culture Thing notes that many people don’t realise how much energy they spend holding it in. “Physical discomfort adds to background stress — and when your body is uncomfortable, your brain can’t fully focus.”
Can washroom anxiety escalate into something more serious? “If the anxiety becomes chronic, it can contribute to generalised anxiety or obsessive-compulsive patterns, especially if fear of contamination or loss of control extends beyond the restroom,” Parashar says. “The mind begins to associate the workplace itself with discomfort.”
Baruah adds, “Not everyone who experiences washroom discomfort develops anxiety disorders, but prolonged stress can deepen into avoidance, compulsive checking or hypervigilance. If someone starts skipping hydration to avoid using the washroom or feels anxious all day, it’s time to seek support.”
Some employees link washroom anxiety to poor infrastructure and cost-cutting. Sunetra Ghose, 30, recalls working at a startup “in a home-turned-office setup with only one washroom for women (who were more in number) and two for men. On most days, I wouldn’t use the washroom at all. It was too dirty, with no one to clean it.”
Agarwal sees a pattern. “It’s not about gender of ownership — both male and female-run businesses can have this problem. It’s typical of lala companies (small, family-run businesses) where cost-cutting is rampant. They buy the cheapest hand soap that peels your skin and don’t even keep tissues. If they cut corners on basic hygiene, how can employees feel cared for?”
Dr Gopichand urges employees to watch for red flags. “If you feel a burning sensation while urinating, a persistent urge to go, or a sense your bladder isn’t emptying, these are signs your washroom habits are harming you. Other warning signs include dark-coloured urine, strange smells or traces of blood.”
So what can workplaces do? “This doesn’t require massive interventions, just thoughtful basics,” says Baruah. “Clean, well-maintained washrooms with enough stalls, good ventilation, air fresheners, sanitary bins, seat covers and hygiene sprays make a big difference. Creating a culture where basic needs aren’t seen as embarrassing — no jokes, no side comments — is just as important.”
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
