Urinary Tract Infections: What Sex Ed Should Have Taught You

Many people are familiar with the pain of urinary tract infections (UTIs), there is nothing worse than having that moment of realization on the toilet that you have contracted a UTI. They are uncomfortable, painful, and honestly just suck. Unfortunately, there is limited acknowledgment of UTIs in the sex education system, and due to the taboo nature of it, UTIs aren’t something encouraged to talk about publicly and openly. This article will go into detail about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of UTIs—covering what you should have been taught in sex education. 

The first thing to note is that UTIs are not limited to vagina owners, those with a penis can just as easily contract a UTI in the urethra. UTIs are mostly caused by bacteria generating an infection in your urinary tract, though fungi and other viruses can also cause UTIs. In the vast majority of cases, UTIs only affect the urethra and bladder, known as the lower tract. In more rare and severe cases, UTIs can affect the ureters and kidneys, otherwise known as the upper tract. UTIs do have the ability to spread, so it is essential you have a UTI treated as soon as possible. If left untreated, a lower tract infection can spread to the kidneys. 

Lower tract UTI symptoms

The symptoms for vagina-owners and penis-owners are the same. 

• Burning with urination 

• Increased frequency of urination without passing much urine 

• Increased urgency of urination 

• Bloody or cloudy urine 

• Urine may have a strong odor 

• Pelvic pain in vagina owners 

• Rectal pain in penis owners 
  

Upper tract UTI symptoms 

• Pain and tenderness in the upper back and sides 

• Chills 

• Fever 

• Nausea 

• Vomiting 

What causes a UTI? 

In short, anything that reduces your bladder emptying or irritates the urinary tract can lead to a UTI. Some factors can put you at a greater risk of getting a UTI, such as your age, any history of kidney stones, previous UTIs, enlarged prostate, certain forms of cancer, diabetes, pregnancy, and a weakened immune system. To reinstate, there are, unfortunately, many factors involved when it comes to contracting a UTI–this explains why UTIs are the most frequent infection in humans! It is estimated that 1 out of 5 women experience UTIs in their lifetime. It is further estimated that one to two percent of children can develop UTIs.

For those with vulvas, there are other factors and causes of UTIs that may specifically affect you such as: 

• Urethra Placement: 

  • The urethra is shorter and close to both the vagina and the anus. Because of this short proximity, naturally occurring bacteria can lead to an infection and cause a UTI 

• Cunnilingus: 

  • Oral sex can also introduce bacteria from the mouth/face into the urethra, increasing the risk of infection and UTIs 

• External Materials and Substances:

  • Using spermicides, a form of contraception can also increase the risk of UTIs as they disrupt the vaginal microbiome (bacteria that keep the vagina healthy and free of infections) 

  • Not-lubricated latex condoms can also cause UTIs in the way they increase friction and irritate the skin during penetrative sexual intercourse. Make sure to use enough water-based lubricant during sex with condoms. 

  • Diaphragms can also increase your chance of having a UTI because they put pressure on the urethra and in turn, decrease bladder emptying 

• Menopause and Aging: 

  • After menopause, a decreased level of estrogen can change the normal bacteria in the vagina, which results in an increased risk of a UTI

For those with a penis, causes and risk factors include:

• Prostate Problems and Aging:

  • One example is the enlarged prostate, which is common in older men. This enlargement can block the flow of urine, hence increasing bacteria build-up. 

For everyone with genitals: 

• Penetrative Intercourse: 

  • Sex is the most commonly mentioned cause of UTIs. Sex can cause UTIs through the act of penetrative sex in the way it puts pressure on the urinary tract. Sex can also move bacteria from the anus and into the bladder and cause a UTI. The best way to reduce the risk of infection after penetrative sex is to pee as soon as possible

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases:

  • Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two STDs that can cause a UTI in the urethra. Wearing a condom during sex will protect you from STDs, and in turn, lower your risk of a UTI.

Treatment 

UTIs are most commonly treated with antibiotics taken orally. The severity of the UTI can impact the length of the antibiotic course. For a lower urinary tract infection, antibiotics may only be needed for a week or less. An upper-tract infection, however, may result in a two-week antibiotic course. 

Unfortunately, there are no home remedies that can cure a UTI Hence, it is urgent to visit your doctor as soon as you suspect you have a UTI. There are, thankfully, things you can do to help soothe pain, plus make the medication work better. The main advice given is to drink plenty of water—the more you drink, the more you will urinate which helps flush the harmful bacteria from the urinary tract. Although urinating is painful when you have a UTI, it is important to not hold your urine or ignore the urge to urinate. Though this may mean multiple bathroom visits in a short period of time, going to the bathroom when you feel the urge prevents bacteria from multiplying in your urinary tract.

Though cranberries or cranberry juice are often touted as the best cure for a UTI. However, they offer no help once a UTI has started. While research on the effects of cranberries on UTIs is mixed, however, it is thought that there is a chemical in cranberries that may help to prevent a certain type of bacteria that causes UTIs from attaching to the lining of your bladder. Please note: If you are taking Warfarin, a medication to prevent blood clots, you should avoid cranberry products. 

UTIs are a frustratingly common problem, but can thankfully be easily resolved. Though there are physiological aspects that can increase your chances of contracting a UTI, there are ways to prevent it from happening or returning. Make sure to keep the genital area clean and dry, this means not using scented soap and wiping from front to back when going to the toilet. When you do clean your genitals, warm water and clean hands will do the trick, especially if you have a vulva. It is critical to drink plenty of fluids in order to urinate regularly. Dehydration can lead to cystitis, an inflammation of the bladder that causes similar symptoms to UTIs. Due to the way UTIs can worsen over time, it is imperative to visit your local health clinic as soon as you suspect you have a UTI in order to prevent it from spreading to your upper urinary tract.

If you’re interested in learning more about common sexual education myths and to better prepare yourself for a career in sexual education, be sure to check out our Sexual Educator Certificate Program to become a certified sex educator.

By Stephanie McCartney