Sex and UTIs: How Are They Connected?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection in any part of your urinary system. This includes your kidneys, uterus, bladder, and urethra (where pee comes out of). It happens when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and starts to multiply. Both women and men can get UTIs, but they are much more common in women due to our anatomy. UTIs are very uncomfortable, and some people are more prone to them than others for many reasons. For us folks with a womb, one of the most common causes of UTIs is sex, but why is this exactly? Keep scrolling to find out!
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
If you have ever had a UTI before you would have definitely known about it. The symptoms range from annoying to downright painful. Common symptoms of a UTI include:
- needing to pee frequently;
- passing small amounts of pee frequently;
- a strong urge to pee but being unable to;
- a burning sensation when peeing;
- pain in your lower abdomen when peeing;
- pee that appears cloudy;
- red or cola-colored pee due to bleeding;
- Strong-smelling pee;
- and pelvic pain in women and those with a uterus;
Why does sex often lead to UTIs?
Women and those with a womb are more at risk of developing UTIs. This is largely due to both sex and our anatomies. OB-GYNs explain that “during sexual intercourse, thrusting can introduce bacteria up the urethra and into the bladder, increasing the risk of a UTI”. As we have a shorter urethra than men, we are more at risk of bacteria entering our bladder during sex. Likewise, as our urethra is closer to our anus, it’s easier for bacteria such as E.coli to spread during sex. As a result, women are more than 30 times likely to get a UTI than men.
Having sex with a new partner or multiple partners increases your chance of getting a UTI. Likewise, having a lot of sex in a small amount of time or having vigorous sex also increases the likeliness. You can also get a UTI from oral sex as bacteria is introduced to the urethra then as well.
5 top tips to prevent UTIs after sex
Some people are more prone to getting UTIs from sex. Although it might be impossible to prevent them 100%, there are certainly measures you can take to reduce the risk. These include:
- Pee after sex
This is probably the most crucial tip of all! Peeing after you’ve had sex flushes out any bacteria that might have been introduced into your urethra during sex, and drastically reduces your chance of getting a UTI. If you struggle to pee after sex, drink a large glass of water to encourage urination.
- Wash before and after
You and your partner should wash your genitals (and hands) with warm water both before and after sex. This will reduce the number of bacteria as much as possible. Remember when washing your genitals to wipe from front to back to prevent any bacteria being spread from your anus.
- Pee before
Some doctors even recommend peeing BEFORE sex.
- Stay hydrated
Stay hydrated throughout the day, and remember to keep a glass of water next to you during sex. This will help you go to the toilet once you’ve finished.
- Consider new birth control
Contraceptives such as diaphragms or spermicide can increase your chances of getting UTIs. Consider other birth control options to reduce the risk.
In the heat of the moment, it can be difficult to remember these tips. But, it’s very important that you do. The cuddling and pillow talk can wait– your future self will be very grateful!
When to see a doctor?
Go to the doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed before. This is crucial because symptoms of UTIs are very similar to some sexually transmitted infections STIs and more serious conditions. Although a UTI will usually clear on its own within a week or two, it’s best to take some antibiotics. Otherwise, if the infection spreads to your kidneys, you can quickly become very unwell and might even need to go to the hospital. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
One last thing…
Now that you know how to reduce the chance of getting a UTI from sex, you’re free to enjoy the full experience. To relax and get yourself in the mood, listen to Passion’s sound journeys. Immerse yourself in the most calming and restorative sounds to fuel the fire of your passion. Enjoy:
- Less stress and anxiety
- A greater understanding of your body
- Enhanced confidence
And, most importantly, greater passion.