How To Treat A Uti
Healthcare providers typically prescribe antibiotics to treat UTIs. Theyll also recommend you drink plenty of fluids to help flush out your urinary tract.
Some people swear by home remedies like cranberry juice to cure a UTI and many mild UTIs go away on their own within a week but your most reliable bet is to seek out a medical professional.
For simple infections, treatment can be prescribed through telehealth, but if the infection becomes more advanced or severe, you may need to see a provider in person. No home remedy has been proven to be as effective as antibiotics for clearing up a UTI.
Is There Anything I Can Do To Avoid Getting A Uti After I Have Sex
You cant completely avoid getting a UTI, but there are a few things you can do to lessen your chances. One is to make sure to urinate after sexthis may help remove bacteria from the bladder. Urinating and/or washing your genital area with warm water before having sex can be helpful, too. Both of these may reduce the chances of bacteria making its way to your urethra and bladder. If UTIs after sex seem to be a recurring problem, some doctors recommend taking prescription antibiotics.
Additional tips:
- Change out of damp exercise clothes as soon as you can
Which Bacteria Cause Uti
Escherichia coli is the most common cause of UTI and is responsible for about 80 to 85% of all UTIs. Other bacteria involved in UTIs include Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Enterococcus. UTIs are rarely due to viral, fungal and parasitic infections.
It is thought that in women who experience recurrent bacterial UTI that the normal healthy bacteria that live in the vagina are replaced by uropathogenic bacteria from the bowel. Uropathogenic bacteria have features that make it easier for them to enter, breed and survive in the urinary tract.
Don’t Miss: Does Bladder Cancer Make You Tired
How Can You Tell The Difference Between A Uti And A Bladder Infection
A UTI is defined as an infection in one or more places in the urinary tractthe ureters, kidneys, urethra, and/or bladder. A bladder infection is a UTI thats only located in the bladder.
What is the fastest way to get rid of a bladder infection at home?
7 Natural Home Remedies to Treat Your UTI Quickly, and Keep it From Coming Back
How To Prevent A Uti After Having Sex
To minimize the likelihood of bad bacteria entering your urethra, the easiest thing to do is to flush out the area naturally by urinating. Make it a habit to pee right away after every single sexual encounter involving your genital area, whether its masturbation or partner activity.
Even if youre just using a sex toy by yourself, this can increase the likelihood of bacteria getting where its not supposed to be. Make sure to clean your sex toys after every single use and to pee every time after using them.
The sooner you head to the bathroom after sex, the better aim for within 15 to 30 minutes after the end of sexual activity. It may be unsexy and inconvenient, but its a super important practice for your health.
Research has shown that women who always urinate after sex have a lower likelihood of developing UTIs than women who rarely or sometimes do this.
You May Like: Prostate And Bladder Cancer Survival Rate
There Are Plenty Of Myths Out There About Utis Including The Need To Pee After Sex
Unfortunately, many of the UTI prevention tips youve probably heard are also among the least evidence-based. There are a lot of old wives tales about , none of which has ever been really proven to impact anything, Goldman says. For example, there is a surprising lack of hard science showing a correlation between recurring UTIs and frequency of urination, hot tub or bubble bath use, or wearing tight clothing, according to Ja-Hong Kim, an associate professor of urology at UCLA School of Medicine.
Even the most sensible-sounding post-intercourse UTI prevention tip of all should be met with some skepticism: peeing after sex. Voiding after sex can theoretically flush bacteria out, Kobashi says. But the efficacy of this common habit just doesnt hold up under scrutiny. I hate to say it, but Im not sure theres any data that supports that, Goldman tells Allure. Kim adds, Review of scientific literature has failed to show any association between recurrent UTIs and voiding patterns before after intercourse.” Of course, however, theres certainly no harm in the post-sex pee, as Goldman points out. So by all means, go for it just know youre not necessarily nixing your chance of getting an infection.
What Causes Recurrent Utis
Bacteria can enter the urinary tract from the outside to cause a UTI to come back, or a recurrent infection can be caused by bacteria that remain in the urinary tract after a previous infection. Symptoms of recurrent UTI in men and women include the frequent urge to urinate, burning pain or pressure, cloudy or discolored urine, bloody urine, and chills and fever. Children with UTIs are more likely to have fever without the other symptoms. Common conditions that can lead to recurrent UTIs include:
- Being in a nursing home or hospital
- Diabetes
You May Like: What Does Irritable Bladder Feel Like
Also Check: Shortness Of Breath And Loss Of Bladder Control
When To See A Doctor
People dealing with serious symptoms or recurrent UTIs should book an appointment to see a provider. They can talk with you about your sexual history, hygiene habits, and symptom severity to determine the best course of treatment and a UTI prevention plan moving forward.
Dont wait until your symptoms get really bad to call your provider. Untreated UTIs can eventually turn into kidney infections, causing symptoms like:
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Back pain
If you think you might have a kidney infection, seek medical help right away to avoid permanent damage to the area. Kidney infections require antibiotic treatment and sometimes a trip to the hospital when severe.
Alright Now Heres Everything You Need To Know About Sex And Utis
The answer to the question Can I have sex with a UTI? depends on a few factors, so youll have to forgive me for being long-winded here. To start, I can tell you that yes, under certain circumstances, its safe to have sex with a UTI. But before you run off, we have to dive into the nitty-gritty.
Sex or not, you should be doing this anyway. Like we said earlier, UTIs dont just go away on their own and treatment is your first priority to prevent dangerous complications. Once youve visited your gynecologist and theyve confirmed via testing that you have a UTI, much of their treatment plan will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection and whether your infection is uncomplicated or complicated.
If your UTI is uncomplicated, your doctor will prescribe an oral antibiotic, per the Mayo Clinic. Just a few days of antibiotic treatment should clear symptoms from this kind of infection, Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor in the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine, tells SELF.
If you get recurrent or otherwise complicated UTIs, your ob-gyn might recommend a different course of care depending on your specific situation. This might include low-dose antibiotics for six months or more or a single-dose antibiotic you can take after you have sex, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Recommended Reading: Natural Remedies For Bladder Spasms
I Don’t Even Know Where To Start With Megan Thee Stallion’s Airbrush Butterfly Manicure
Thats why its important to drink enough fluids so that youre peeing every few hours. And this is the case all the time, not just after sex. If some bacteria does get in there, and you’re totally dehydrated and you only go once a day, then what can happen is that bacteria is sitting there all day and has a chance to start dividing and causing problems, Goldman explains.
Menopause triggers a drop-off in estrogen, along with a change in the pH in the vagina and a thinning of vaginal tissues, according to Goldman. This change in the vaginal environment just compounds the issue for somebody already prone to getting UTIs after sex. The good news is that vaginal estrogen cream has been clinically proven to significantly reduce the risk of UTIs in postmenopausal folks . If you use very low dose vaginal hormonal cream in the vagina, that actually can sort of rejuvenate the vaginal tissues and change the pH back to what it’s supposed to be, and help the good bacteria in the vagina, he explains.
How Do I Protect Myself Against Yeast Infections
Protecting yourself against yeast infections should be a multi-pronged approach:1. Be aware of your body and its changes and cycles.2. Maintain good hygiene habits.3. Wear clothes that let your skin breathe.4. Change out of damp clothes, such as after the gym or after a swim.5. Having a dialogue with your doctor.With proper treatment, yeast infections after sex usually go away within a week. If your symptoms persist or get worse, contact your doctor immediately. A PlushCare doctor can help advise by phone or video chat which steps to take . Several symptoms of yeast infection mimic those of other sexually transmitted infections, so it is important to make sure that what you are experiencing is not indicative of a more serious problem.
You May Like: Clear A Bladder Infection Without Antibiotics
You May Like: Bcg Instillation For Bladder Cancer
Myth: Hygiene Habits And Clothing Fit Contribute To Utis
You may have heard that certain hygiene practices are risk factors for UTIs, particularly for women. But UTIs are not caused by how you wipe in the bathroom, by tampon use or by failing to empty your bladder after sexual intercourse. Theyre also not caused by wearing tight clothes.
A lot of women express concern about these, said Dr. Dielubanza. But studies have shown there is no association between these practices and UTIs.
What Can Cause A Bladder Infection
If youve ever had a urinary tract infection, then you know the excruciating pain it can cause. This pain can not only affect your physical health but your mental health as well. In fact, a 2017 review of studies found that people with urinary tract conditions experience higher levels of psychological stress, which can worsen symptoms.
Though mild bladder infections may go away on their own, most do not. Seek urgent medical care if symptoms persist for more than 24-48 hours.
A bladder infection is an infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder or urethra. While bladder infections are 14 times more frequent in women, men may also suffer from UTIs and symptoms like pelvic pain, an increased urge to urinate, burning pain with urination and blood in the urine.
While you may be familiar with the painful symptoms associated with these infections, you may not know whats causing them. If you understand common urinary infection causes, you will be in a better position to prevent them.
Also Check: Can A Bladder Infection Heal Itself
Also Check: Can Bladder Cancer Be Cured If Caught Early
What Can Happen If You Have Sex With A Uti
You wont break your urinary tract or anything, but its not an ideal scenario. It will be uncomfortable, Dr. Kaufman says. Dr. Wider points out that you may irritate the area and exacerbate your symptoms.
You can get an additional infection as well, Dr. Wider says. If you are being treated with antibiotics, the symptoms will likely clear in an expedient fashion and the chances of getting a secondary infection go way down.
Why Do Women Get Urinary Tract Infections More Often Than Men
Women tend to get urinary tract infections more often than men because bacteria can reach the bladder more easily in women. The urethra is shorter in women than in men, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel.
The urethra is located near the rectum in women. Bacteria from the rectum can easily travel up the urethra and cause infections. Bacteria from the rectum is more likely to get into the urethra if you wipe from back to front after a bowel movement. Be sure to teach children how to wipe correctly.
Having sex may also cause urinary tract infections in women because bacteria can be pushed into the urethra. Using a diaphragm can lead to infections because diaphragms push against the urethra and make it harder to completely empty your bladder. The urine that stays in the bladder is more likely to grow bacteria and cause infections.
Frequent urinary tract infections may be caused by changes in the bacteria in the vagina. Antibacterial vaginal douches, spermicides, and certain oral antibiotics may cause changes in vaginal bacteria. Avoid using these items, if possible. Menopause can also cause changes in vaginal bacteria that increase your risk for urinary tract infection. Taking estrogen usually corrects this problem but may not be for everyone.
Also Check: Small Cell Carcinoma Bladder Cancer
Truth: Being Female Is The Biggest Risk Factor For Utis
UTIs generally are caused by bacteria that live in the colon, especially the rectum. The short length of the female urethra places its opening close to bacterial reservoirs , making women more vulnerable to infection.
In truth, being female is simply the strongest risk factor for UTIs, says Dr. Dielubanza.
Another trigger particular to women is hormonal change with age. Until menopause, vaginal flora includes protective bacteria. But when estrogen drops during menopause, the pH of the vagina changes, and the good flora cannot thrive there as easily. Without these good bacteria, the bad bacteria can more easily flourish in postmenopausal women.
Men are not immune to UTIs, but they are less likely to have them. This is because their longer urethras present a challenge to bacteria entry. However, as men age and begin to empty their bladders less efficiently due to prostate enlargement, urinary tract infections can become more common.
A trigger for UTIs in both men and women is use of any medical instrument near the urethra, including a catheter to drain urine.
Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract.
The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body .
Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.
Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:
- having sex
-
do not use scented soap
-
do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go
-
do not rush when going for a pee try to fully empty your bladder
-
do not wear tight, synthetic underwear, such as nylon
-
do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks, as they may irritate your bladder
-
do not have lots of sugary food or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to grow
-
do not use condoms or diaphragms with spermicidal lube on them try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception
Read Also: What Antibiotics Treat Bladder Infection
So How Do You Prevent Utis After Sex
If you are using spermicide-coated condoms or diaphragms during intercourse and keep getting UTIs after sex, you might want to rethink your method of contraception, because it could be making your vagina more friendly to the bad kind of bacteria. Spermicide kills the sperm, but it also may kill some of the healthy bacteria that are normal in the vagina, Goldman tells Allure. Then, when those healthy bacteria are killed or gone, some of the bacteria that you dont want can take up residence in the vagina. Once they travel up the urethra, youve got a UTI.
Peeing right after sex might not necessarily be as crucial as you thought, but peeing regularly, in general, is definitely a good idea. One of the ways that women can prevent infections is that when bacteria gets in the bladder, hopefully, it kind of washes out when they go to the bathroom, Goldman says. The idea is to regularly flush out any bad bacteria that may be hanging around in your system before it gets a chance to build up.
Thats why its important to drink enough fluids so that youre peeing every few hours. And this is the case all the time, not just after sex. If some bacteria does get in there, and youre totally dehydrated and you only go once a day, then what can happen is that bacteria is sitting there all day and has a chance to start dividing and causing problems, Goldman explains.
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.
You May Like: Artificial Urinary Sphincter Surgery Recovery
Also Check: Does Bladder Infection Cause Diarrhea
Tips To Reduce Cystitis After Sex
Before sex wash your genitals and hands well, maybe a warm bath with your partner will help. Some people believe that pubic hair is a haven for bacteria but if you do decide to exfoliate, be careful of ingrowing hairs which can cause problems in themselves.
Make sure you empty your bladder as soon as possible after sex as this will help flush out any bacteria that have entered.
If your vagina is dry use a lubricating jelly and if bruising rather than bacteria is a cause, apply some around your urethra to help with the friction. Do not use spermicides or a diaphragm for contraception.
Until it clears up, try to stick to a gentle missionary position and keep the length of time down!
Finally, if you have had repeated bacterial attacks a single dose of antibiotic taken within two hours of sex can also help.
This pack, which will be prescribed by a doctor, contains a dipstick test as well as medicines to help relieve discomfort and kill bacteria in the urine, if necessary
Order by 2pm and it will be dispatched by Royal Mail Next Day Delivery by our partner pharmacy