Wednesday, March 13, 2024

How To Avoid Urinary Tract Infections After Intercourse

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Utis After Sex When It Really Kicked In

Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Naturally

Years later all was forgotten, including my shift working boyfriend, and I found myself in another relationship with a man who could literally go for hours.

Were brought up to believe this is the ultimate quality in a lover but apparently excessive friction coupled with a short and narrow urethra does not equate to the best sex of your life to the contrary this was arguably the worst year of my life.

I began to realise that every time I had sex, I would get another UTI. UTIs after sex had officially become my modus operandi and post coital intimacy had been replaced by me sitting on a toilet trying to force a decent stream of urine from my body.

I couldnt help but wonder why it was happening in this relationship and not others? Id been in long term relationships and had never had this ongoing problem.

Was my boyfriend carrying bacteria that was reinfecting me each time we had sex? Was something happening in my own body that was causing some kind of imbalance in my urinary tract?

Urinary Tract Infection Signs

Nothing can guarantee you wont get a bladder infection after sex, but the above along with staying hydrated all the time can help. If you suspect you have a UTI, get medical help right away. This prevents the UTI from getting too severe and making its way up to your kidneys. Signs of a UTI include

  • Burning urination
  • Smelly urine
  • Fever/chills

A general feeling of illness can also accompany a UTI, especially if you have a severe bladder infection. In severe cases and as we said above, the infection can travel up the urethra into the bladder and then up into your kidneys. In this case, you may also experience back pain and disorientation or confusion.

Avoid The Habit Of Holding Back Urination

The habit of holding back urination too often can lead to urinary tract infections. Therefore, pregnant women need to avoid this habit.

If you feel the urge to urinate, you should immediately go to the toilet and urinate completely. When pregnant women are urinating should not be in a hurry.

In addition, so that pregnant women do not go back and forth to the bathroom too often to urinate, you should not consume drinks that are diuretic, such as tea, coffee, and fizzy drinks that contain caffeine.

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Diaphragms And Other Barrier Methods Are Hormone

These are barrier methods of birth control. The diaphragm is a flexible cup that you place in your vagina to block sperm from entering your uterus. It’s most effective when used with spermicide.

You will have to be fitted for a diaphragm by your doctor, and it’s a good idea to replace it after a year. You’ll have to examine it occasionally, as well, to make sure there are no holes, tears, or thinning of the latex. If you’ve recently gained or lost weight, youll also want to have it checked for fit.

The cervical cap is similar to the diaphragm. You’ll have to be fitted for one by a healthcare professional, and it’s best to use it with spermicide. You place it in your vagina, where it keeps sperm from entering the cervix. It should also be replaced yearly.

The sponge is soft foam coated with spermicide. The device looks like a donut, and covers the cervix when you insert it into your vagina.

Pros: All of these items are hormone-free. You can insert your diaphragm or cervical cap anywhere from just before sex up to six hours before intercourse. They’re both great options if you have medical conditions, such as breast cancer, that make it unsafe to use hormones for birth control. Unlike those methods, the sponge is an over-the-counter item.

While it is extremely rare, all three methods may cause toxic shock syndrome. So don’t leave a diaphragm in for more than 24 hours, and don’t leave a cervical cap in for more than 48 hours.

And It Won’t Hurt To Try These

How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI): Natural ...

Like many women, you may have memorized the following age-old advice for preventing UTIs:

  • Wipe from front to back.

  • Urinate before and after sex.

  • Drink lots of water.

  • Avoid tight underpants and jeans.

These suggestions are directed at flushing the bladder and keeping E. coli from spreading into the urinary tract. Although studies have failed to show that they prevent either primary or recurrent UTIs, there’s no harm in trying them, Dr. Gupta says. “They can’t hurt, and if they help, you’re ahead of the game.”

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Can You Get Utis From Having Sex

Sexual intercourse can increase the likelihood of a UTI developing. However, UTIs are not a type of sexually transmitted infection .

Bacteria in the genital or anal region can enter the urethra during sex if a person does not wash their hands between touching the anus and genitals. Also, sex toys can pass bacteria in this way if a person does not clean them correctly between uses.

In addition, some STIs, such as chlamydia, can cause UTIs. However, UTIs do not pass from person to person through sex, like STIs do. A person does not need to be sexually active to get a UTI. And if a partner has a UTI, it does not show that they have been having sex with other people.

Experts debate whether urinating after sex helps prevent UTIs.

Many health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , recommend urinating after sex to prevent UTIs. Doing so may help flush away bacteria that are close to the urethra and prevent them from entering the urinary tract.

However, research published in a 2016 edition of American Family Physician suggests that urinating after sex does not have any measurable protective effects. Still, the researchers note, it is a safe and reasonable thing to do.

Some other ways to prevent UTIs include:

  • urinating whenever the urge strikes not holding it in

Can Sex Cause Utis

Yes. According to an old 1989 study, having lots of sex can indeed cause a UTI.

More accurately, research has found that an active sex life increases the chances of a UTI, which makes sense when you find out what bacteria are the culprit behind most infections.

Typically, the bacteria that cause UTIs originate from fecal flora, says Alex Shteynshlyuger, MD, the director of urology at New York Urology Specialists.

One study showed that more than 60 percent of UTIs could be attributed to E.coli, which live in the intestines, then make their way down and out.

The proximity of your anus to your vagina makes it more likely that bacteria will find their way to your relatively short urethra and then travel up your urinary tract to your bladder.

When bacteria make it into your bladder, they can invade your bodys immune defenses and cause an inflammatory reaction, Shteynshlyuger says.

According to a 2000 study, UTIs can occur due to a plethora of other factors, including:

Sex is fun, UTIs are definitely not. Heres how to prevent post-sex UTIs.

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The Patch And The Ring Free You From Pills

The patch and the ring are both hormonal methods of contraception containing estrogen and progestin, like the pill, but neither of these require a daily routine.

The patch is a small piece of plastic that sticks on your stomach, buttock, arm, or torso and is replaced weekly. The ring is a small, flexible device that is placed inside the vagina and left for three weeks at a time, but is taken out for one week of the month in order for you to have a period.

Pros: Both of these birth control options share all the benefits of combination pills theyre just more convenient. Plus, the ring can be used continuously to allow you to skip periods, Newmann says. Like the pill, theyre 91 percent effective for preventing pregnancy, and can be even more effective if used exactly as instructed.

Cons: The patch can cause skin reactions in some women. And like the pill, both the patch and the ring can cause side effects, such as spotting, headaches, bloating, and breast tenderness. You shouldnt use them if youre predisposed to blood clots, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or get migraines with aura. The ring has additional possible side effects of vaginal discharge or irritation.

I Keep Getting Urinary Tract Infections After I Have Sex With My Boyfriend Ive Tried Drinking A Lot Of Liquids But That Doesnt Help Is There Anything I Can Do To Stop The Pain

How to avoid urinary Infection after sex

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Urinary tract infections are more common in girls who are sexually active. Thats because the urethra is very close to the anus and bacteria can find their way to the bladder very easily. Girls who have had UTIs before can usually recognize the symptoms of frequent urination, pain especially at the end of peeing, often accompanied by blood in the urine. To try to lessen your chance of UTIs, you may find helpful drinking lots of fluids, peeing at least every two hours and after sex, and talking with your health care provider about cranberry juice or tablets, and whether you should take antibiotics, either to prevent infections or as soon as you get symptoms.

Make sure your symptoms are from a UTI and that you have seen your health care provider. Burning, frequent urination, and pain in the lower belly area, can also be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection such as Chlamydia. If you are sexually active, you should use condoms 100% of the time to lessen your risk.

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The Link Between Utis And Sex: Causes And How To Prevent Them

One common way women get urinary tract infections is by having sex. But that doesn’t mean you have to banish sex from your life to prevent painful infections.

Mosuno/Stocksy

Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections arent the only consequences of having sex. For some women, a urinary tract infection can also be a result.

Blame it on anatomy, which makes a UTI more likely for women than for men, says Sujata Yavagal, MD, a urogynecologist at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami.

Still, it isnt inevitable that having sex will cause a UTI. Taking proper precautions can minimize your odds.

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Causes And Risk Factors Of Interstitial Cystitis

Doctors don’t know the exact cause of interstitial cystitis, but many researchers believe that it is initially triggered by damage to the bladder lining.

In a study published in September 2017 in the journal BMC Chemistry, researchers found that many people with IC produce a protein, called antiproliferative factor, that makes the bladder sensitive to urine.

This protein prevents the growth of bladder cells, so it may prevent the bladder from healing itself when damage occurs.

Many researchers believe that IC may develop for a number of different reasons, such as the following:

Damage to the bladder Surgery or other types of trauma may damage the bladder, contributing to this condition.

Bladder distention The inability to empty your bladder for long periods of time has been associated with interstitial cystitis.

Nerve damage Spinal cord trauma and inflammation of the pelvic nerves have been suspected as causes.

Bacterial infection A bladder infection, or cystitis, may contribute to the onset of IC in some people.

Muscle dysfunction When the pelvic floor muscles arent working right, they may contribute to bladder problems.

Autoimmune disorder Some researchers suspect that the bodys own immune system may attack certain bladder cells in some people with IC.

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Routinely Clean The Feminine Area

During pregnancy you need to regularly clean the female area in the right way, especially after every time you urinate. This is so that germs do not easily enter the urinary tract. The way to clean it is by washing it with clean water while wiping it from front to back.

To keep the feminine area dry and comfortable, you should wear underwear that is not too tight and made of materials that can absorb sweat well, such as cotton. Don’t forget to change your underwear twice a day.

Why Do Some Women Have Recurring Cystitis

UTIs and BV During Pregnancy: Risks to the Baby

Your body has defences to prevent germs from causing cystitis. The mucus around your vagina and opening of your urethra is slightly acidic which prevents bacteria from multiplying. Although bacteria may thrive in urine, you empty your bladder regularly which flushes urine out. Also, the cells that line your urethra and bladder have some resistance against bacteria.

In most cases, there is no apparent reason why cystitis returns. There is usually no problem with your bladder or defence system that can be identified. It is possible there may be a slight alteration in the ability of the body to resist bacteria getting into the bladder and causing infection. A slight variation in the body’s defence may tip the balance in favour of bacteria to cause infection.

For some women, one of the following may contribute:

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Sex & Uti: What You Need To Know

Many people know that distinct burning sensation when you pee that indicates a urinary tract infection. Its no fun, and its unfortunately pretty common around half of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime.

Its also natural to wonder, does sex cause UTI? If so, how? And is there anything you can do to stop that from happening? Were going to dive into the connection between sex and UTIs and what you can do to minimize your risk of getting one.

Preventative Measures That May Help You Avoid Utis

There is some very mild evidence that probiotics may help prevent bladder infections, says Goldman. The idea is that probiotics can help restore the healthy bacterial flora or good bacteria in your vagina and along your urinary tract. You can get these probiotics either naturally in your diet from foods like yogurt and kimchi, or in the form of supplements. Probiotics are also available in the form of vaginal suppositories. Some people do well with the vaginal insertion of special probiotics formulated for vagina, says Kim.

While the notion that cranberry juice can cure a UTI is pretty flimsy, there are some studies suggesting it can aid in preventing them. There is some very, very weak evidence that cranberry juice or cranberries or other things in that family, like blueberries may help lower one’s risk for infection, says Goldman.

Cranberries contain tannins that are thought to minimize adherence of bacteria to the urinary tract, Kobashi explains, but the thinking is that there is not enough of them to be effective. However, both doctors reason that because its totally harmless, upping your cranberry intake in the name of a UTI-free existence cant hurt.

If youre following your doctors advice and have tried all the tricks and are still getting UTIs after intercourse, there could be something else going on.

Read more about vaginal health:

Also Check: What Are The Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infection In Males

How To Treat A Uti

Treating a UTI depends on where the infection is occurring as well as what caused it. Itâs extremely important to work with your primary care provider to determine what treatment is best for your situation, especially if you are prone to frequent UTIs .

Your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic to clear up the infection. If you are more susceptible due to your bodily anatomy, your doctor may prescribe a regiment of antibiotics or another treatment method to help prevent frequent UTIs.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti

How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Not surprisingly, some of the symptoms of a UTI involve the frequency and quality of pee. Women suffering from a UTI, whether they get the infection from sex or other ways, can have a strong urge to urinate, have cloudy or red or pink urine, and may experience pain or burning during urination.

You might also get fever, shaking, or chills, and even pain in your upper back, your side, or the pelvic region.

Also Check: Best Way To Get Rid Of Urinary Tract Infection

Reasons Why You Might Get Recurring Utis

Many women who get a urinary tract infection may get one again at some point in their lives. In fact, one in five women experience recurrent UTIsan infection that occurs two times or more within six months or at least three times in a year. Men can get recurrent UTIs too, but it is not as common and is often due to some type of urinary tract blockage.

Does Taking An Antibiotic After Sex Prevent Utis

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, having sex three or more times a week increases your risk for recurrent UTIs. Your risk is also increased if you use a diaphragm or spermicide products, regardless of the frequency of sexual activity. If you experience recurrent UTIs, changing your method of contraception should be the first thing you consider.

If you continue to suffer from UTIs and they are getting in the way of living a normal life, taking a preventive antibiotic could be an option. Taking regular antibiotics is not a risk-free treatment though, so have a conversation with your provider about whether this is right for you. Taking an antibiotic before or after sex can prevent recurrent UTIs especially if UTIs repeatedly show up 24 hours after intercourse.

During sex, bacteria can get into the urinary tract and cause infections. Antibiotics work by fighting these bacteria. E. coli is the most common bacteria that causes UTIs. Common antibiotics used to treat UTIs are nitrofurantoin, cephalexin, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole .

A clinical trial showed that only 2 out of 16 women who took TMP/SMX right after sex had recurrent UTIs compared to 9 out of 11 women who had a sugar pill. The results were the same regardless of how often the women had sex.

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