How does the commode contribute to prostate and bladder disorders?
The perineum contains nerves that control the bladder, prostate and other organs. Bearing down to evacuate while sitting causes the perineum to bulge out. Over time, this stretches and damages the pelvic nerves, resulting in loss of bladder control and loss of communication between the prostate and the brain. The phenomenon is called “pelvic floor nerve stretch injury” and is well-known to modern medicine (2), although the connection to seated evacuation has only recently been discovered, by an Australian researcher named Wallace Bowles. Mr. Bowles tested his theory in “an ongoing informal study,” converting over 3000 Australians to the squatting position for elimination. Squatting protects the pelvic nerves by keeping the perineum rigid. Surveys of the participants produced a large body of anecdotal evidence showing reversal of bladder incontinence (including children’s bedwetting.) In addition, men with prostate disorders “consistently reported” shrinkage of enlarged prostates and re
