Urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in the body, resulting in more than 8 million visits to healthcare providers each year. With a shorter urethra that allows bacteria easier access to the bladder, if you’re a female, odds are you’ve had to deal with the symptoms of a urinary tract infection or UTI, at least once.
If you’d like to avoid those terrible symptoms that include a burning sensation and the feeling that you’ve always got to go, urinating after sex is a must. That’s because sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra, and it’s believed to be one of the main factors that women who are sexually active are also more prone to these nasty infections.
Urinating as soon as possible after sex helps to flush out any bacteria that may have been introduced to the body. Certain types of contraceptives can also increase the risk of an infection such as a diaphragm, which compresses the urethra, making it more difficult to empty the bladder, resulting in an abundance of bacteria developing. The use of spermicides can also trigger the growth of bacteria by disturbing the natural balance of the vagina.
In addition to peeing right after sex, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day as it helps to flush out infection-causing bacteria. Fluids work to dilute the urine and force you to go to the bathroom more often, getting rid of those bacteria before infection begins.
As soon as you feel the urge to urinate, it’s important to listen to your body and go, or you’ll risk bacteria growth. If you’re prone to developing UTIs, in addition to drinking at least eight glasses of water each day, limit caffeine and alcohol intake which are known to irritate the bladder.
Also, keep in mind that wearing more breathable fabrics and looser fitting clothing will allow your vaginal area to stay drier and deter bacteria growth. Avoid skin-tight jeans, wear natural fiber underwear and avoid wearing a wet swimsuit for too long.
Chemical-filled products such as bath oils, bubble baths, and other perfumed products used on or near the genitals like deodorant sprays, powders or douches, also raise the risk of developing a urinary tract infection.
Additionally, healthcare experts recommend switching from tampons to sanitary pads as tampons allow more bacteria to enter the body and irritate the urethra.
While it may cut into cuddle time a bit, going to the bathroom as soon as possible after sex as well as taking other preventative measures, is likely to be well worth it with the reward of avoiding a potentially painful UTI.
-The Alternative Daily