Utis After Sex When It Really Kicked In
Years later all was forgotten, including my shift working boyfriend, and I found myself in another relationship with a man who could literally go for hours.
Were brought up to believe this is the ultimate quality in a lover but apparently excessive friction coupled with a short and narrow urethra does not equate to the best sex of your life to the contrary this was arguably the worst year of my life.
I began to realise that every time I had sex, I would get another UTI. UTIs after sex had officially become my modus operandi and post coital intimacy had been replaced by me sitting on a toilet trying to force a decent stream of urine from my body.
I couldnt help but wonder why it was happening in this relationship and not others? Id been in long term relationships and had never had this ongoing problem.
Was my boyfriend carrying bacteria that was reinfecting me each time we had sex? Was something happening in my own body that was causing some kind of imbalance in my urinary tract?
You Can Get A Uti From Having Sex
There is a clear link between UTIs and sex. For many people, having sex causes UTIs to occur over and over again. Data shows that UTI symptoms most often begin about 2 days after having sexual intercourse.
Sex can cause a UTI. This is because the friction involved in sexual activity pushes bacteria toward the urethra. Anything that allows or encourages bacteria to enter the urinary tract increases the risk of UTI.
UTIs should be treated to keep them from getting worse. This usually requires a prescription for antibiotics. Since going to see your healthcare provider every time you have sex isnt a reasonable option for many people, its helpful to think ahead. There are things you can do to prevent a UTI before it starts.
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.65,66 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.21,6769
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Can Birth Control Cause Utis
Some types of birth control may increase the risk of developing UTIs. Multiple studies have shown that the use of diaphragms can make UTIs more likely, and the risk increases when spermicide is used with a diaphragm. In addition, personal lubricants and condoms that contain spermicide can also increase the risk for infection.
Are Utis Sexually Transmitted
It is no secret that sex and urinary tract infections are linked, particularly in women. Frequency of sexual activity and exposure to spermicides are, in the words of Welk and Hickling , the only behavioural factors significantly associated with repeated UTIs.
A link between sex and UTIs makes sense, of course, as vaginal sex places the female urethra in contact with bacteria from the genital area. The use of a diaphragm for birth control increases the risk of contracting a UTI further, as not only does the diaphragm itself limit the bladder’s ability to flush out bacteria, but the spermicides diaphragms are treated with can promote the growth of E. coli, the bacterium behind 85-90% of UTI cases.
With such an established link between sexual intercourse and urinary tract infections, it begs the question what are the first UTI symptoms after sex? What are the earliest signs of the development of a UTI?
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How Are Utis Treated
Your doctor will typically prescribe an oral antibiotic to rid you of the UTI.
Yavagal says if you come down with a UTI frequently, ask your doctor to do a culture one time to be sure this is actually what you have. A chronic bladder condition known as interstitial cystitis is sometimes mistaken for a UTI, she says. You should be especially suspicious if the antibiotics you have taken for your UTIs in the past have not sufficiently helped.
Things You Can Do Yourself
To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection :
- takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
- rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
- avoid having sex
Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.
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So How Can We Manage Sex Related Cystitis
- Take prophylactic dose of D-Mannose one hour before sexual activity.
- Immediately after sex, urinate and take another dose of D-Mannose.
- The following morning, take another dose and then another every 4 6 hours.
- Maintain a urine pH of 7 or higher, to inhibit bacterial growth.
- Both partners should practise strict hygiene standards.
- Gradually you should be able to return to a normal sex life.
See our article titled How much D-Mannose should you take, for detailed instructions on how to effectively use D-Mannose for Urinary Tract Infections.
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Recognizing Uti Symptoms In Men
Can males get UTI from females? No, men usually get UTIs from other factors. And when you have a urinary tract infection,you do not always notice symptoms. However, whenever there are symptoms, they are usually the same in both men and women. Some of the most common symptoms include the following:
- You may pass cloudy, bloody, or bad-smelling urine.
- You may pass a small amount of urine at a time.
- You have abdominal pain.
- You may experience pain in your lower back.
- You may experience a burning sensation when passing urine.
- You may have a strong urge to urinate.
- You may have a low-grade fever.
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Clinical Presentation And Diagnosis
Common symptoms of a UTI are dysuria, urinary frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain and possible haematuria. Systemic symptoms are usually slight or absent. The urine may have an unpleasant odour and appear cloudy.23 Diagnosis of RUTI depends on the characteristic of clinical features, past history, three positive urinary cultures within the previous 12-month period in symptomatic patients and the presence of neutrophils in the urine .7,8,21 Irritative voiding symptoms are present in 2530 % of women with RUTIs.25 The probability of finding a positive culture in the presence of the above symptoms and the absence of vaginal discharge is around 81%.26 In a complicated UTI, such as pyelonephritis, the symptoms of a lower UTI will persist for more than a week with systemic symptoms of persistent fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.25
Women with RUTIs should have an initial evaluation including a history-taking and a physical and pelvic examination the latter is important to detect pelvic organ prolapse and to assess the status of the vaginal epithelium.28 Urinalysis and urine culture with sensitivity are also valuable investigations. Women with a positive family history of DM, obesity or RUTI must be screened for DM.28,29 Women with suspected urine retention need to be evaluated for high post-void residual urine volume.
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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How I Avoid Utis After Sex
Ive found that using certain products consistently has helped me avoid further UTIs after sex. For me, the most important have been:
Specific products arent usually covered on this site because its about UTI science. But because UTIs after sex is such a widespread issue, and because these products are about prevention, I was allowed to share the links.
You can also provide your name and email address in the green box at the end of my story, for more information about my top picks.
Ascertainment Of Outcome: Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infection
We defined the presence of a UTI on the basis of a midstream, clean-catch, urine specimen yielding 105 CFU/mL of a uropathogen as confirmed by culture, plus at least 2 acute urinary symptoms: dysuria, urgency, or urinary frequency. The presence of symptoms was determined by interview. Asymptomatic bacteriuria was not evaluated as an outcome. We identified UTIs in 2 ways. First, participants were asked to report new UTI symptoms to study personnel, at which time they were interviewed and asked to promptly mail a urine specimen for laboratory verification. Urine specimens were collected using a Dipslide® home testing kit, supplied to the participants at enrollment. In day-to-day use, the sensitivity and specificity of this method to detect 105 CFU is 73% and 94%, respectively. Second, we systematically reviewed computerized clinical records for codes identifying a diagnosis of acute cystitis with laboratory culture results. Identification of culture-confirmed, acute cystitis in the computerized database was verified for the presence of at least 2 symptoms via telephone interview.
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Recurrent Episodes Of Cystitis
It is now generally more accepted amongst the medical community that sex related cystitis is not always caused by an outside source of bacteria, for example, a new partner. Recurrent infections may also be caused by the agitation of dormant bacteria already deeply embedded in the bladder wall, migrating to the bladder lining where they proliferate, causing the same infection to flare up again when conditions become favorable.
Doctors are becoming increasingly reluctant to prescribe antibiotics until the infection has progressed into the kidneys. Antibiotics destroy pathogenic bacteria causing the infection, however they also destroy beneficial bacteria living in the gastrointestinal tract. If enough beneficial bacteria are destroyed, side effects such as an overgrowth of yeast may give rise to Thrush. Many women suffering from recurrent cystitis often report a cycle of infection, course of antibiotics, case of thrush, period of well-being, then reinfection.
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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.
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How Are Urinary Tract Infections Treated
You will need to treat a urinary tract infection. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and fight an infection. Antibiotics are typically used to treat urinary tract infections. Your healthcare provider will pick a drug that best treats the particular bacteria thats causing your infection. Some commonly used antibiotics can include:
- Nitrofurantoin.
Its very important that you follow your healthcare providers directions for taking the medicine. Dont stop taking the antibiotic because your symptoms go away and you start feeling better. If the infection is not treated completely with the full course of antibiotics, it can return.
If you have a history of frequent urinary tract infections, you may be given a prescription for antibiotics that you would take at the first onset of symptoms. Other patients may be given antibiotics to take every day, every other day, or after sexual intercourse to prevent the infection. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment option for you if you have a history of frequent UTIs.
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What Ive Learned About Utis After Sex
Fortunately for me, I now know a lot more about UTIs after sex, thanks to the diligent and constant study and questioning of this website.
The last time it happened I immediately recognised what was happening. I was uncomfortable but I managed to flush it out before it developed into the splatter fest, recurring carnage of my previous experiences.
My Tips For Avoiding UTIs After Sex:
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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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Does This Mean My Partner Has A Yeast Infection
If you have a yeast infection, its possible that you contracted it from your partner.
On the flipside, if youve engaged in sexual activity since you discovered your yeast infection, its possible you passed the infection to your partner.
About of people who have penises and engage in unprotected vaginal intercourse with someone who has a vaginal yeast infection go on to develop a penile yeast infection.
If you believe you have a yeast infection, tell any active or recent sexual partners so they can seek treatment.
You may also consider taking a break from sex until you and any active sexual partners are symptom-free. This will prevent you from transmitting the same infection back and forth.
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How Forward Can Help You Manage Recurring Utis
By providing one-on-one, personalized care, Forward can prescribe medications to treat an existing UTI and put you on the path to fewer infections in the future. As your primary care provider, we focus on prevention and will explore all of your risk factors for urinary tract infections. We will work with you to help you implement lifestyle changes and adopt new habits that may make UTIs less likely to occur in the future.
Advocate For Yourself You Know Your Body Best
If there was one other thing Id pass on to other sufferers of UTIs after sex, or recurrent UTIs in general, its this: Dont accept it when youre told its just the way you are, or when youre offered remedies you dont believe have validity.
Do your own research and keep track of your symptoms. Consider whether your partner may be contributing to the issue. And think about whether it makes sense for both of you to be tested.
Start with some of the resources on this website:
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Antibiotic Prevention Is Another Option
This means taking a low dose of an antibiotic regularly. One dose each night will usually reduce the number of bouts of cystitis. A six-month course of antibiotics is usually given.
You may still have bouts of cystitis if you take antibiotics regularly but the episodes should be much less often. If a bout does occur, it is usually caused by a germ which is resistant to the antibiotic you are taking regularly. A urine sample is needed to check on which bacterium is causing any bout of cystitis. You may then need a temporary change to a different antibiotic.