Is UTI after sex inevitable? Following these guidelines can go a long way towards bettering your urinary tract health. Read on.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections in women, accounting for 25 percent of all infections treated by doctors. One out of every two women will have a UTI in their lifetime. Some women suffer from two or more UTIs a six-month period, sending them on a quest for preventing recurring UTIs.
One of the causes of UTIs is sexual intercourse. Sex exposes the urethra to bacteria and can help push that bacteria into the urethra, resulting in an infection. Does this mean you must give up sex to have a healthy urinary tract? The answer is a big NO. There are key steps you can do and vaginal health probiotics you can take to have a healthy body and healthy sex life at the same time.
Safe Sex (For the Urinary Tract)
Women are more likely to get a UTI after having sexual intercourse the first few times, after having sex with a new partner, or after having frequent sex. However, UTIs can show up at any time, so some basic practices are a good idea for any sexual relationship.
- Go to the bathroom and urinate before sex and promptly after. This helps to flush out the urethra.
- Don’t use a spermicide or a diaphragm for your form of birth control. They can trap bacteria.
- Clean your genital and anal areas before and after sex with plain soap, no douches or scented wipes.
- Wash your hands before and after sex.
- Drink lots of water all day long.
Probiotics can be beneficial for preventing UTIs in women
Fab Food (For the Urinary Tract)
Your mother used to say, “You are what you eat,” and she was right. You can make some dietary changes that help reduce the chances of getting a UTI after sex. In addition to the foods listed below, try adding probiotics for UTIs to your daily routine. Medical studies published by the National Institutes of Health have shown that probiotics can be beneficial for preventing UTIs in women.
Foods that can promote urinary tract health include:
- Cranberries. These little beauties won’t cure a raging UTI already underway, but they may prevent others. It has to be the real thing to be effective, either the actual fruit or unsweetened juice. Drinking the juice with lots of added sugar has no benefit.
- Vitamin C. Taking a supplement of 500 to 1,000 milligrams a day can make the urine more acidic and prevent bacteria from growing. Of course, it’s always better to eat the food that has the vitamin in it, so stock up on the following: green and colored peppers, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, blueberries, strawberries, and green leafy vegetables.
- Blueberries. Like cranberries, they have certaine substances that prevent bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract lining. Toss them into salads, smoothies, or your morning oatmeal. Your bladder will thank you.
Is UTI after sex inevitable?
Throw away that myth that sex inevitably leads to urinary tract infections. It’s true that they become more likely once you’re sexually active, but following the guidelines above can go a long way towards urinary tract health. Take a few precautions and enjoy a healthy sex life. 🙂
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