After surgery, an injury or during a long hospital stay, getting to the toilet can suddenly be the hardest part of the day. Women usually have three options: a bedpan, a female urinal, or a female urination device (a pee funnel) used standing or perched beside the bed. Which one suits you depends mostly on how much you can move.
We make The Pee Pocket, a disposable funnel, so read this knowing that. It is not the right tool for everyone in hospital, and we say where it is not. This is general information, not medical advice: always follow what your nurses, surgeon or therapist have told you about moving and toileting.
The short answer
- You cannot get out of bed: a bedpan or a female bed urinal, set up by your nurse.
- You can sit up or roll but not stand: a female bed urinal is often more comfortable than a bedpan.
- You can stand, or perch on the edge of the bed or a chair, but bending to a low toilet is hard: a female urination device lets you pee without lowering onto a seat.
Bedpan, female urinal or funnel at a glance
| Bedpan | Female bed urinal | Female urination device | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Lying flat, lifted onto the pan | Lying, sitting or side-lying | Standing, or perched at the edge of a bed or chair |
| Needs help? | Usually yes | Often manageable alone | Usually alone, once steady |
| Comfort | Often the least comfortable | Better for many women | No lowering or lifting at all |
| Afterwards | Emptied and cleaned by staff | Emptied and cleaned | Disposable versions go in the bin |
| Best for | Bed rest | Limited movement in bed | Hip, knee or back precautions; getting home |
Bedpans
A bedpan works when you cannot leave the bed at all. The downside is that you have to be lifted or roll onto it, it is hard to relax lying flat, and spills are common. Most people need a nurse each time.
Female bed urinals
A female urinal is a bottle or jug with a wide, shaped opening that you hold against your body. Many women find it far easier than a bedpan. In a small survey of 32 female orthopedic patients at Doctors Hospital in Florida, 81.5% of those who had used both found the female urinal more comfortable than a bedpan, and 90.6% would recommend it (Baptist Health research poster, 2016). Ask your ward whether they stock them; many do but only hand them out on request.
Female urination devices (pee funnels)
A female urination device covers the area and channels urine through a spout. It is useful once you are allowed up but bending is still restricted, which is common after a hip or knee replacement or back surgery. Instead of lowering onto a low toilet, you stand facing it, or perch at the edge of the bed and aim into a commode, urinal bottle or bedpan your team has set out.
The Pee Pocket needs only a light hold in one hand, so the other hand can stay on a walking frame or rail. Each one is individually wrapped with a wipe and a disposal bag, so nobody has to wash it. That matters in a shared bathroom, and even more once you are home and a partner or carer would otherwise be cleaning a reusable device several times a day.
It is not for everyone. If you cannot stand or sit up safely, or you have a catheter, a funnel is not the answer; use what your nurses provide.
Using a funnel safely after surgery
- Check with your team first, especially about how far you may bend the hip.
- Practise before surgery if you can, while bending is still easy. Our how-to guide walks through it.
- Keep your walking aid within reach and your weight balanced on both feet.
- Wear loose, elasticated clothing so you do not need to bend to reach.
- Ask for help disposing of it if the bin is low, or use a long-handled reacher.
What to pack for a hospital stay
- A few disposable funnels for the ward and the journey home.
- Loose trousers or a nightdress that is easy to manage one-handed.
- Wipes and a small bag for anything you need to throw away.
- Non-slip slippers for the walk to the bathroom.
For the first weeks at home, most people use several a day. The 30-pack ships free in the US, and the 50-pack is the lowest cost per funnel. For more on recovery, see after hip replacement and urination aids for recovery and mobility.
Questions
Do hospitals give women urinals?
Many wards stock female urinals but bedpans are still the default. If you would prefer a urinal, ask your nurse.
Can I use a female urination device in a hospital bed?
Only if you can sit up at the edge of the bed or stand, and your team agrees. Lying flat, a female bed urinal or bedpan is the better option.
What is easiest after a hip replacement?
Raised toilet seats and frames help at home. Away from them, a funnel lets you pee standing so the hip stays out of deep bending. Always follow your surgeon’s precautions.
Is a disposable or reusable device better for recovery?
Disposable is easier when nobody wants to be washing a device several times a day. Reusable can work out cheaper over months. See disposable vs reusable pee funnels.
