5 Tips that Can Prevent a UTI

Life is never fun when you have a Urinary Tract Infection because let’s face it, it can be extremely painful. While you might be familiar with what the symptoms of a UTI are, what exactly is a UTI? Well, a UTI, also known as a urinary tract infection, “is an infection in any part of your urinary system-your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.” [1] Although antibiotics are needed to help clear up a UTI, and it generally takes just a few days to do so, you probably are wondering what you can be doing to help prevent another one from occurring. And if you have never had one and simply want to avoid the frustration altogether, then consider implementing these tips provided below.

1. Drink plenty of water and relieve yourself as often as possible. If your consuming a lot of water then you’re likely using the restroom a lot. Aside from getting all the health benefits that you when drunk a lot of water, this helps to flush bacteria out of the bladder and urinary tract before it can set in.
2. Wipe from front to back. It’s important to do this, especially after a bowel movement, because bacteria will try and make it to the urethra. If you wipe front to back, the chance of this happening declines. 

3. Wash up before sex and urinate after it. Before intercourse, wash up using soap and water as this helps keep bacteria away from the urethra. Afterward, you are going to want to urinate so that you push out any bacteria that may have entered the urinary tract.
4. Avoid irritating feminine products. Douches, deodorant sprays, scented powders, and other feminine products that are potentially irritating should be avoided.
5. Rethink your birth control. A diaphragm, which is a type of birth control that is inserted into the vagina, spermicide, or spermicide-lubricated condom all make your more likely to get a UTI as they each contribute to bacterial growth. If you are someone who gets UTI’s often, consider trying a water-based lubricant or an alternate birth control method if the one you are using appears to be causing your UTI’s to keep coming back. [2]

Although these aren’t a guarantee that you won’t get a UTI, they have been known to help prevent them.

Aside from implementing these tips, some doctors also recommend that women who get UTI’s often wear cotton underwear, take showers rather than baths, and avoid wearing tight clothing. Drinking cranberry juice has also been known to help prevent UTI’s as well.

What if I continue to get UTI’s?

If you have implemented the tips discussed above and find that you are still getting UTI’s frequently, it would be best for you to schedule a visit with board-certified URO-GYN Dr. Khashayer Shakiba at the Women’s Pelvic Surgery. Sometimes, when a woman experiences several UTI’s over the course of a year, they may need a treatment plan devised to help stop these infections from occurring.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or have a question that is in need of being answered, call us at (201) 301-2772.