One of the easiest ways to prevent a UTI after sex is to urinate as soon as possible after intercourse.
Urinating is a natural flushing action and washes away any bacteria that might be invading the urethra. To increase the flushing effect, you should urinate from the front to the back. To minimize the risk of a UTI, urinate often after sexual intercourse.
Peeing after sex
While you don’t want to get a UTI right away, peeing after sex is an easy way to keep bacteria from clogging your urethra. During intercourse, ejaculate is released into the vagina and urine exits the urethra. If you don’t pee after sex, bacteria won’t reach the bladder. Peeing after sex is a good way to prevent a UTI, and it won’t harm you.
Although it isn’t necessary to pee after sex, it is safe for all people. This practice is particularly important for women with a vagina, since bacteria don’t need to travel as far to cause an infection in the vagina. However, peeing after sex isn’t as beneficial for penis users, whose urethra is longer and has a shorter slit.
Avoiding intercourse
The first step in avoiding urinary tract infection is to stay hydrated. Women who experience urinary tract infection after sex have a greater risk of developing a UTI than men. The urethra in women is shorter than that of men and bacteria are present around these openings. The warm and moist environment created by sexual activity makes this a breeding ground for bacteria. Sexual activity may increase the likelihood of developing a UTI by pushing bacteria into the urethra.
Preventing UTIs is as easy as washing the genital area before having sex. While this can help to reduce the risk of a UTI, women should always wash their genital area after intercourse. Furthermore, women should avoid using contraceptives like diaphragms and spermicides that could increase the risk of developing a UTI. Finally, women who have recurring UTIs may benefit from taking an antibiotic after sex.
Using spermicide
Using spermicide to prevent a sex-related uti after sexual activity may be the solution for your problem. The product is easily available over-the-counter in drugstores and supermarkets. It should not cost more than $15 per package and contains several applications. It is advisable to avoid oral sex while using spermicide, as the chemicals in it can make the STD germs more readily enter the body.
However, despite its high efficacy, spermicides are not completely effective and are associated with an increased risk of STDs, especially for women. Additionally, women who use spermicides more than once a week are at an increased risk of a urinary tract infection. The surfactant found in spermicides, nonoxynol-9, can damage the flora of the vagina, allowing STD bacteria to thrive. Nonoxynol-9 is also known to increase the risk of STDs, and may be allergic to the ingredient.
Using unscented lubricants
The most effective way to avoid a UTI is to avoid sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse increases the risk of UTI because the urethra can become infected with bacteria. Urinating shortly after sex will help flush bacteria out of the urinary tract. Even if you don’t have a strong urge to urinate after sex, you should still try to urinate at least once and clean the area with a mild soap and water.
While vaginal lubricants can help reduce the risk of UTIs, they can also irritate the bladder. Using unscented lubricants is a safe alternative to smelling like baby powder and alcohol, which can increase the risk of UTIs. And because it is completely natural, there is no reason to worry about the ingredients. Many unscented lubricants also contain ingredients that are good for the vagina, such as plant oils and aloe vera.
Using cranberry supplement
There is limited research on the effectiveness of cranberry supplements for preventing UTI after sex. However, two randomized controlled trials have been conducted on a large group of adults with spinal cord injuries. In one study, participants were randomized to receive either cranberry juice or a placebo. Results showed no difference between the two groups in terms of the occurrence of bacteriuria or pyuria. Another study, conducted in a large population of women, randomized a group to receive cranberry tablets or juice, compared to the placebo.
Another study has demonstrated that a concentrated cranberry pill may improve urinary tract health and reduce the risk of a UTI. Some research suggests that cranberry supplements may reduce the chances of a UTI by creating a pH balance that is beneficial for preventing bacteria growth and colonization. However, no natural remedy has been proven to treat UTI, so women should seek medical advice to avoid further infections.