Other Uti Risk Factors
Sex increases the chances of contracting a UTI, but there are many other risk factors as well. If you are not sure how you got your UTI, check out 26 main UTI causes that you should know about.
Because bacteria can easily find their way into a womans very short urethra, its very common for women to have UTIs without knowing the real cause.
Sometimes, the urethra gets irritated by sexual activity and you might then get urinary symptoms like frequency, urgency, and burning while urinating. This is called honeymoon cystitis, which may be one of two things. Sometimes after not having any sex for a long time, the vaginal flora may be thrown out of balance chemically , increasing your risk of UTIs some studies show increased bacteria in the urine after intercourse. Alternately, you could have honeymoon urethritis. In this case, the symptoms may not be caused by bacteria or STDs, but by overstimulation and inflammation in the urethra and will likely go away in a few days.
If you repeatedly experience these symptoms and your urine sample is clean, use a lubricant, stay away from spermicides, harsh soaps or other chemicals and make sure your partner is gentle during sex and takes good care of their nails.
What To Eat When You Have Bladder Pain
It can be hard, with just a list of things you cant have, to figure out what to eat. There are plenty of foods you can still eat.
- Any meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish is OK, except cured meats like bacon or salami.
- Most vegetables other than tomatoes, onions, or hot peppers are fine.
- You can still eat bread, other than rye and sourdough.
- Dairy foods including milk, butter, cottage cheese, American cheese, and vanilla ice cream work. You can start adding some of the milder aged cheeses in small amounts once you start feeling better.
- Pasta, rice, and most cereals are OK.
- Salads can be a problem because of the dressing, but you can try them with herb-infused olive oil and coarse salt.
When you feel better, start slowly adding back foods one at a time. It can be tempting to just go back to your regular eating pattern, but you dont want to have to start over. I started with a little mayonnaise on my sandwich because I really missed it. Add one food at a time, and take it very slowly.
Most vegetables, meats, breads, and dairy products will be fine.
Why Does Sex Cause Urinary Tract Infections
Many women suffer from urinary tract infections or UTIs after sex. This isnt always the case. Some women never end up with a UTI. Intercourse can increase your chances of getting a bladder infection, however. Eagles Landing OB/GYN explains below the correlation between sex and UTIs, how you can avoid them, and what to do if you get a bladder infection.
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Why Am I Getting Urinary Tract Infections
Ever since I started having sex I get urinary tract infections a lot. Does that mean there could be something else wrong? Mandy*
If you have burning or pain when you pee, it could be a number of things. One possibility is a urinary tract infection , but others include a sexually transmitted disease , such as chlamydia, or chemical irritation from a spermicide . Its hard to tell the difference without seeing a doctor or .
Urinary tract infections tend to be more common in girls who have sex. Often, they happen because bacteria entered the urethra .
Follow these steps to help decrease your chances of getting UTIs:
- Wipe front to back after going to the bathroom.
- Pee right before and after sex.
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water.
STDs can cause symptoms similar to those of a UTI, such as burning, vaginal discharge, belly pain, and irregular bleeding.
Many times, though, STDs have few symptoms, which is why it is important for anyone who has had sex to be tested at least once a year. And always use condoms with any type of sex to help prevent STDs.
In any case, the best thing to do is get checked out ASAP by a health care provider who can look for the reason you’re having symptoms. It’s really important to get the right diagnosis and treatment!
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
Do I Need Medical Care For A Yeast Infection Or A Uti
With knowledge about symptoms and causes, you may be able to make a diagnosis at home.
But in some cases, you may want to visit a healthcare provider for help. There is evidence that women often have difficulty in correctly diagnosing themselves and therefore may use the wrong treatment. So, if you are unsure which infection you have, or you want guidance on the best treatment options for you, your provider can help.
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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.
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7 Natural Home Remedies to Treat Your UTI Quickly, and Keep it From Coming Back
Let’s Start From The Beginning What’s A Uti
uti-test-relieve-combo A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection to any part of your urinary tract and is not sexually transmitted or contagious. They are most common in the lower urinary tract, which includes your bladder and urethra. UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urethra and travel to the bladder or other parts of the urinary tract. People with vaginas are more likely to get UTIs because the length of their urethra is shorter than people who have penises.Common symptoms of a UTI are burning during urination, cloudy and/or strong-smelling urine, pelvic pain, frequently passing small amounts of urine, and a strong, persistent urge to urinate. If you think you may be experiencing a UTI, try our UTI Test & Relieve Combo to know whether you have a UTI and get pain relief fast until you can see your health care provider.
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What Is A Bladder Infection
A bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection, but not all UTIs are bladder infections. Bladder infections are the most common type of UTIs. A bladder infection may also be called cystitis and it is usually caused by bacteria.
Symptoms of a UTI can differ depending on what part of the urinary tract is infected. A bladder infection usually causes symptoms such as:
- Burning when urinating
- The feeling that you need to pee frequently, but when you go to the toilet very little urine comes out
- Pain in the pelvic area just above the pubic bone.
Bladder infections are usually considered simple UTIs and treatment is usually with antibiotics for three to five days. Symptoms usually resolve in a couple of days.
Can You Make Love With A Urine Infection
The cause of urine infections is the entry of bacteria, especially E-coli, into some parts of the urinary system. The fact that it is pretty standard for them to appear after sexual intercourse may suggest that it is how it is transmitted, but the truth is that no, the urine infection is not transmitted sexually.
When they have relationships, neither the man can transmit the bacteria to the woman, nor the woman can share it with the man. The only thing that happens is that bacteria can enter from outside, but it is never spread from one to another.
Urine infections or cystitis are not an STD -sexually transmitted, disease-although sex can facilitate its appearance. However, if you wonder if you can have sex with a urine infection, you should know that to the pain and discomfort you already feel, you should add another element, something that can take away all the pleasure from this act. So, to answer your question, we will tell you that:
- If your concern is whether the urine infection is transmitted through sexual contact, you should not worry you can have intercourse if you have a urine infection.
- You have to bear in mind. Whether you are a man or a woman, the sexual act can be painful and not pleasant. Therefore, it would be advisable to abstain from having sex until the infection has passed.
- There is no problem if it does not hurt, as long as you avoid the risk factors that we have explained previously.
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Can A Uti Make You Tired And Weak
Does a UTI make you tired? Actually, it can. Though Id never heard the term before, I found out there was such a thing as a hidden or silent UTI. Looking back, I realized that every time Id suffered a UTI, I always felt fatigue first. It was my bodys way of trying to fight off infection, Mashunkashey said.
After that ER visit, I took the antibiotics the doctor prescribed and headed home. I reclined my seat and relaxed the whole ride, knowing I finally had the information I needed to spot infections early so they wouldnt damage my system and make me miss out on work and family fun.
Sure enough, several months later I started feeling exhausted again. My gut reaction was to power through it, but then I remembered my vacation. Being proactive, I quickly asked my doctor to test my urine. As I suspected, it was another sneaky UTI, she said. I felt empowered knowing I didnt have to suffer for days or weeks before more serious symptoms may have shown up.
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Wipe From Front To Back
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , UTIs can develop when bacteria from the rectum or feces gain access to the urethra. This small channel allows urine to flow out of the body.
Once bacteria are in the urethra, they can travel up into other urinary tract organs, where they can lead to infections.
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What The Research Says
According to studies, scientists found a 3 to 4-fold increase in the risk of symptomatic UTI on the second day post-sex.
The risk varied from person to person, which later subsided after the third day.
Based on the reports, more than 75% of uncomplicated UTI infections were the result of E coli a type of bacteria thats normally present in the intestines.
Sexual intercourse could also cause cystitis.
But, people dont necessarily need to be sexually active to experience the condition.
Every womans urethra is vulnerable to cystitis, primarily due to their anatomy.
When the urinary tract is struck with UTI, intercourse causes pain and irritates the urethra. Similar to that of a yeast infection.
In women, the recurrent bladder infections add pressure to the vaginas internal walls and impact the bladder, aggravating the painful condition.
If there are bacteria in other places close to the genitals, then intercourse can force the bacteria into the urethra, making sex a significant risk factor.
Regardless of the genital contact, the infection can still get introduced into the urethra with or without vaginal penetration.
As a result, the urinary tract starts experiencing a burning sensation, vaginal dryness, pain, and discomfort.
What If I Have Frequent Recurring Utis
Within a year of havig a UTI infection, roughy one-quarter to one-half of women will have another UTI. For these women antibiotic prophylaxis may be recommended by her health care provider. With a recurrent course of UTIs, a urine culture or imaging tests may be required for further analysis.
For recurrent UTIs, there are several antibiotic options for prevention:
- A shorter course of antibiotics at the first sign of UTI symptoms a prescription may be given to you to keep at home.
- A longer course of low-dose antibiotic therapy.
- Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual intercourse.
The choice of antibiotic is based on previous UTIs, effectiveness, and patient-specific factors such as allergies and cost. Antibiotics commonly used for recurrent UTIs can include sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, cefaclor, or cephalexin.
In postmenopausal women with vaginal dryness that may be leading to recurrent UTIs, vaginal estrogen may be an effective treatment. Treatment options your doctor might recommend include: Estring, Vagifem , or vaginal estrogen creams .
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What Is A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection in any part of your urinary tract. Your urinary tract is the interconnected system of organs that make and store urine. The sections of the urinary tract include:
- Kidneys: The organs that filter waste from your blood and convert the waste and water into urine.
- Bladder: A sac-like organ that stores urine before it leaves your body.
- Ureters: Thin tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder.
- Urethra: A tube that allows urine to leave your body. â
You can get an infection in any part of the urinary tract. The most common type of UTI is called cystitis, and it is an infection in the bladder. You can also have an infection in the urethra known as urethritis. An infection in the kidneys is known as pyelonephritis and it is the most severe type of UTI.
Can Utis Be Prevented
A few things can help prevent UTIs. After peeing, girls should wipe from front to back with toilet paper. After BMs, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.
Also, go to the bathroom when needed and dont hold the pee in. Pee that stays in the bladder gives bacteria a good place to grow.
Keep the genital area clean and dry. Girls should change their tampons and pads regularly during their periods. Bubble baths can irritate the vaginal area, so girls should take showers or plain baths. Avoid long exposure to moisture in the genital area by not wearing nylon underwear or wet swimsuits. Wearing underwear with cotton crotches is also helpful. Skip using feminine hygiene sprays or douches, as these can irritate the urethra.
If you are sexually active, go to the bathroom both before and within 15 minutes after sex. After sex, gently wash the genital area to remove any bacteria. Avoid sexual positions that irritate or hurt the urethra or bladder. Couples who use lubrication during sex should use a water-soluble lubricant such as K-Y Jelly.
Finally, drinking lots of water each day keeps the bladder active and bacteria-free.
UTIs are uncomfortable and often painful, but theyre common and easily treated. The sooner you contact your doctor, the sooner youll be able to get rid of the problem.
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Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Products At Walgreens
Urinary tract infections are infections that occur when bacteria enter a persons urethra and infect the urinary tract. UTIs can be painful and uncomfortable and may require medical care. Most UTIs can be treated at home with antibiotics from your healthcare provider, and symptoms may be eased with certain pain-relief products. Walgreens offers options to detect infections and prevent or ease symptoms, such as UTI test strips, urinary pain relief tablets and chewable cranberry tablets.
Symptoms And Treatment For Urinary Tract Infections
Most people who get UTIs notice symptoms and discomfort. For an infection in your lower urinary tract, you may experience some or all of the following:
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Feeling a need to urinate even when your bladder is empty
- Aches or cramps in your lower abdomen
If the infection is in your kidneys, you may also notice fever and chills, backache, and nausea and vomiting.
If you think you have a UTI, call your doctor to discuss your symptoms. You will likely need to give a urine sample, which may help confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. They might also suggest medicine that will help with the discomfort.
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Cranberry Juice And Tablets
Cranberry juice and tablets have been shown to reduce RUTIs as they contain a compound called tannin, or proanthocyanidin, which reduces E. coli vaginal colonisation., Although earlier, smaller studies have shown that consuming cranberry juice or tablets can prevent RUTIs, an updated Cochrane review showed that evidence for its benefit in preventing UTIs is small therefore, cranberry juice cannot be recommended any longer for UTI prevention.,
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.
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