If you have a vulva and are sexually active, you probably know the drill: pee after sex or risk getting a UTI. But peeing after sex is not a magic bullet. Sometimes, you can follow the rule and still get a UTI.
Despite our best efforts to prevent UTIs, sometimes you just can’t stop them from coming. Due to the nature of the urinary tract, and its shortness in length, persons with vulvas are unfortunately quite prone to UTIs. At least 50% of individuals with vulvas will experience a UTI, often more than one. Some individuals even suffer from chronic UTIs, experiencing 3+ UTIs a year.
So let’s break down how to prevent UTIs—because sometimes peeing after sex isn’t enough.
1. Don’t just pee after sex. Pee before sex. And pee regularly.
Like you, bacteria are hot and horny: they want to multiply. If you have urine in your bladder, bacteria such as E.coli have an environment to reproduce in. Starting sex with an emptied bladder can reduce your chances of developing UTI because you are stripping bacteria of this environment. There is some disagreement within the medical community regarding this tip, however. Some experts worry that urinating before sex limits the body’s ability to flush out bacteria after sex. Because of this, it is crucial to stay hydrated both before and after sex. This helps keep urine pressure consistent, which aids the body in pushing out bacteria.
Likewise, frequently peeing (at least every 2-3 hours) after sex allows the body to continue flushing out bacteria and weakens the hospitality of your bladder as an environment for breeding bacteria.
2. Constipation isn’t your friend.
Surprisingly, the urinary system isn’t the only waste removal system involved in preventing UTIs— the digestive system is too. If you suffer from constipation and peeing after sex doesn’t stop your UTIs, constipation could be the culprit.
Constipation can inhibit the bladder from entirely relieving itself. The compression of stool in the colon or rectum during constipation applies pressure onto the lower urinary tract, decreasing the functional capacity of the urinary bladder. This, in turn, constricts the urethra, causing the bladder to retain some urine after urination. When the bladder isn’t completely emptied, bacteria isn’t thoroughly flushed out, increasing the chances of UTI development.
3. Showering is your friend!
Sometimes, even after urinating, bacteria linger on the vulva and can reach the urethral opening. Because of this, it is crucial to cleanse the area around the urethra not only before sex but also after. And if you don’t have time to shower, a perineal bottle can do the trick. Obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh recommends this hack, as it washes away bacteria with an added pressurized component.
4. D-Mannose and Plant-Based Supplements
This one’s a game-changer. You probably know about cranberry pills, but have you heard of D-Mannose? D-Mannose is like cranberry’s hotter older sister. Cranberry just can’t compete with it. It’s ten times more active than the sugar in cranberry juice in dislodging bacteria from the urinary tract. Chemically speaking, D-Mannose works by binding itself to E. coli in the urinary tract. This makes it difficult for bacteria to adhere to human urinary tract cells. The human body then flushes the bacteria out when urinating, preventing it from causing infection.
For enhanced protection against urinary tract infections, consider a supplement like D-Mannose Natural Defense +, which leverages D-Mannose for its powerful effects. Other plant-based remedies work similarly, inhibiting bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall. These supplements can include berberine and oregon grape, as well as blueberry (a complete list of UTI-prevention supplements can be found here.
5. Vitamin C and PH Lowering Foods
Vitamin C supplements can also make the bladder a less hospitable environment to bacteria. The optimal PH level for E. coli to grow is neutral. Thankfully, studies have indicated that Vitamin C can lower the PH of urine, making it difficult for the bacteria to survive and replicate. This occurs as vitamin C decreases the production of ammonia (which has a higher PH).
Of course, vitamin C isn’t the only way to lower the PH of your urine. Many foods, such as milk and dairy products, as well as protein-heavy foods, are proven to lower urine PH. And likewise, some foods raise the PH of your urine and should be avoided. Soft drinks, for example, increase urine PH, facilitating bacterial growth. Other foods include certain fruits and root vegetables. In addition, certain medications are recommended to treat UTI and lower urine PH, such as streptomycin, neomycin, and kanamycin.
UTIs are not your fault. They are a common and treatable condition that can affect anyone, especially those with vulvas. But you do not have to suffer in silence. With all of the available prevention strategies, you have the power to overcome them, even if they are chronic. This article highlights only some of the many available remedies and strategies for avoiding UTIs; an additional, more summative list of researched methods can be found here.
Written by Nicole Smith-Vaniz.