Piss play (watersports): what are the health risks and how to reduce them?

What are we talking about?

Piss play (watersports, urophilia) covers erotic play with urine: being pissed on (golden shower), pissing on someone, drinking it, soaking clothes, pissing inside a partner’s anus… It’s common among men, often linked to BDSM or submission. Let’s talk health, without judgement.

Is HIV transmitted through urine?

No. WHO lists the fluids that transmit HIV: blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal and anal fluids, breast milk. Urine isn’t one of them. CATIE (a leading Canadian source) confirms HIV isn’t passed on through piss play.

One exception to bear in mind: if there’s blood in the urine (urinary infection, injury, catheter), the risk changes.

What are the real risks?

According to CATIE, other infections can pass if urine gets into the mouth, anus or a wound:

• urethral STIs: if a partner has gonorrhoea or chlamydia in the urethra, their urine may carry the bacteria and pass it to the throat or anus;
• urinary infections and gut bacteria;
• hepatitis B when blood is present;
• irritation of skin, eyes or mucous membranes.

Drinking the urine of someone with an infection is therefore riskier than receiving it on healthy skin. Pissing inside a partner’s anus exposes the fragile anal lining to whatever the urine contains.

How to reduce the risks?

1. On healthy skin, risk is low: skin is an effective barrier. Avoid areas with cuts, grazes, fresh piercings or spots.
2. No urine in the eyes: it irritates and can transmit infection (gonorrhoeal or chlamydial conjunctivitis).
3. If you drink: do it with a recently tested partner with no urinary symptoms (burning, discharge). Clear urine (a hydrated partner) is preferable.
4. No piss play if a partner has blood in their urine, a urinary infection or an active STI.
5. Anal piss: risk of irritation and STI transmission; avoid if the anus is irritated or after fisting.
6. Hygiene: shower afterwards, wash sheets and clothes, clean surfaces.
7. Consent: negotiate piss play beforehand, like any practice.

What about testing?

If you do piss play with several partners, say so when you get tested: throat and anal swabs matter especially. Every 3 months if you have several partners (testing).

See also the risks of scat play, which are very different.