UTIs suck. It hurts like hell to urinate, feels like you need to urinate when you don’t even have to go, and you just generally feel like crap. Let’s not forget that UTIs can hurt your bank account because now you have to seek an appointment with a doctor so that you can receive antibiotics for your UTI; thanks to our wonderfully affordable American healthcare (not). If you’re not in America, then you may or may not have better health coverage than me.
We should first talk about what a UTI actually is, since that’s the topic of our conversation today. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a pretty common and uncomfortable experience for women, especially those who are sexually active. The pain and discomfort that come along with having a UTI can make your daily life pretty miserable nor will y’all be able to get freaky in the sheets any time soon.
You have to know how to stop these annoying infections before they happen or some problems might crop up in your relationship. You may even have the infected person (sounds like I’m talking about COD zombies) begin to resent you if they receive multiple UTIs in a short period of time. You know, maybe saying that you’re unclean down there or whatnot; which may be true. The key to most problems in a relationship is communication, so when your sex life disappears due to a UTI you have to make sure that you communicate your concerns. Don’t let things fester in your mind by yourself because that’s how relationship problems arise.
We will explore the different causes of UTIs in a woman and different lifestyle choices you can make to help prevent UTIs, and the importance of communication with your partner when it comes to UTIs.
Understanding UTI Risk Factors
To effectively prevent UTIs, we have to know what causes them in the first place. A UTI happens when bacteria, often times from the colon, enter the urinary tract and multiply. Women are more prone to UTIs than men due to their anatomical differences; the female urethra is shorter, which allows bacteria easier access to the bladder. As you may already know, sexual activity can introduce bacteria into your urinary tract, which heightens the risk of infection. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, nearly half of all women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives.
One of the very best things that you can do to prevent a UTI is to create a post-sex routine for yourself. After doing the dirty, you will want to take a pee ASAP. You can still cuddle and do your aftercare, of course, but just try to hit up the toilet afterward. Doing this helps flush out any bacteria that may have been introduced during sex, greatly reducing your likelihood of an infection. It is also imperative to clean your parts before and after sex, hygiene is a very important step for you to prevent a UTI. Washing your parts with mild soap and water before and after sex can help get rid of harmful bacteria that might lead to a UTI.
Hydration plays a huge role in UTI prevention as well. If your girlfriend is allergic to water like mine seems to be then just give her regular reminders to drink water. Helping your girlfriend develop water-drinking habits is honestly a whole separate article in and of itself. Just know that drinking lots of water helps dilute urine and causes you to pee a lot, which is beneficial in flushing out bacteria from the urinary tract. Get your girlfriend one of those cute water bottles with the straw off Amazon if it’ll help her drink water. My girlfriend consumes a much larger amount of water per day when her water is inside a cute water bottle (lol).
Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and even more than that if you’re an active person. Some studies suggest that cranberry juice may also help reduce UTI occurrences because it prevents bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls. While cranberry juice can be a great thing to drink to prevent a UTI, it should not replace proper hydration with water.
Lifestyle Choices and Their Impact
The choices you make on the daily will influence your susceptibility to UTIs. For example, the type of contraceptive you use can play a role in your risk. Some methods, like spermicides and diaphragms, have been linked to a higher risk of urinary tract infections. If you find that you are prone to UTIs, you should talk with your doctor about different methods of contraceptives that y’all can use. Barrier methods, such as condoms, can be a safer choice because they don’t change the natural flora of the vaginal area and can help you reduce bacterial transfer during sex.
Your clothing choices also matter when desiring to prevent a UTI; believe it or not. Opting for breathable underwear made from natural fibers such as cotton allows for better air circulation, which can help you prevent moisture buildup. You want to do what you can to prevent it from becoming a musty, dark, damp cave down there that turns your vaginal area its own prime moist habitat for bacteria. Tight-fitting pants can trap moisture and create a good environment for unwanted bacteria for flourish. You might have to sacrifice some of your precious style points to prevent UTIs; especially when you’ve been sexually active recently.
What you eat plays a significant role in preventing UTIs as well. Consuming a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains not only supports your general health but can also strengthen your immune system, helping your body fight off infections. Including probiotics in your diet, found in yogurt and fermented foods, may promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the body, reducing the risk of UTIs. Ever heard of kombucha tea? It tastes pretty disgusting at first, but it’s an acquired taste that is packed with beneficial probiotics. Research shows that probiotics can help maintain the flora of the urogenital tract, thus preventing infections.
In addition to dietary considerations, being aware of your body and recognizing early symptoms of a UTI will help you save yourself a lot of annoying burning and worrying. Symptoms such as a burning sensation during urination, frequent urges to urinate, and lower abdominal discomfort should have you calling up the nearest doctor or scheduling a telehealth appointment. Catching your UTI early can prevent a mild infection from escalating into a much more serious one. Many women find that their experiences with UTIs are linked to specific triggers—whether it’s a new partner, a change in hygiene routine, or even stress. Knowing how to recognize your symptoms for a UTI and knowing how your body reacts to those triggers will reduce the chance that you continue to get infections in the future.
Communication and Emotional Well-being
The importance of communication in your relationship cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to the topic of UTIs. Talking about your susceptibility to UTIs and any worries you may have about intimacy with your partner is going to be paramount for your relationship to remain healthy. And it helps to have a supportive partner who will understand your needs and help you out if you do end up getting an infection. Your partner should also learn with you about what triggers you to get an infection and work on fixing the problems. If you’re a boyfriend and are unable to provide the necessities when your partner is going through it then maybe you should refer to another one of my articles. Anyways, that’s about all from me on this topic of preventing UTIs today, I hope that y’all learned at least one thing.
Thank you for reading the Setoftwo dating news outlet today, Cross out.
