7 Important Strategies for Preventing UTIs

X Important Strategies for Preventing UTIs

Urinary tract infections range from uncomfortable to painful, so it’s best to avoid them at all costs. The good news is, most UTIs are easily preventable with the help of a few important strategies.

What Is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of your urinary tract, which is a system of interrelated organs including your kidneys, your bladder, your urethra, and your ureters. UTIs can be caused by a wide range of different culprits; most are the result of a bacterial infection, but there are also UTIs caused by viruses and fungi.

The majority of UTIs remain relegated to the urethra and bladder, but in rarer cases, UTIs extend to the ureters and kidneys. These further-reaching infections also tend to be more severe.

Risk Factors for UTIs

Some people are simply more at risk for developing a UTI than others, and some risk factors are totally unpreventable. For example, women are much more susceptible to getting UTI’s than men, in part because women have a shorter urethra, making it easier for bacteria to infect the urethra and bladder.

You’ll also be at higher risk of UTI if you engage in frequent sexual activity, if you have many new sexual partners, if you’re currently undergoing menopause, or if you take certain types of birth control. You may also be more susceptible to UTI’s if you have urinary tract abnormalities or deformations, immune system issues, or recent urinary issues that required a catheter or urinary surgery.

How to Prevent UTIs

These are some of your best strategies for avoiding UTIs altogether:

·       Use a bidet (or be smart about wiping).

Using a bidet may decrease your risk of developing a UTI. Wiping with toilet paper doesn’t get you especially clean, and could facilitate the spread of E. coli bacteria. By contrast, a bidet uses a jet of water to get you clean after using the bathroom, allowing for a more thorough clean and reducing the possibility of spreading bacteria from one area of your body to another. If you do insist on continuing to wipe with toilet paper, make sure you wipe front to back.

·       Drink lots of water.

One of the best things you can do to prevent a UTI is drink lots of water (and by extension, other healthy fluids). Drinking water is good for you for many reasons, but here it’s important because it allows you to clear out your urinary tract on a more frequent basis, helping you flush out any bad bacteria that may otherwise cause an infection.

·       Urinate when you feel the need.

Holding in your pee isn’t good for you. There are situations that demand this, and there are times when holding your urine is practically a requirement, but if you feel the need to urinate and you have the opportunity to urinate, you shouldn’t hold it unnecessarily. Holding in your urine could increase your risk of developing an infection and in extreme cases, cause permanent bladder damage.

·       Clean well before and after sex.

Having sex can expose your urinary tract to bad bacteria, so it’s important to maintain good hygiene before and after sex. That means washing yourself before and after sexual activity – and urinating after sex as well, to flush out any bad bacteria that may have accumulated in your urethra.

·       Avoid scented products.

Scented products close to your urethra, such as scented pads, tampons, powders, or sprays, can disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in your body, ultimately allowing unhealthy bacteria to grow and prosper. It’s best to avoid these products altogether.

·       Switch your birth control.

Certain forms of birth control, such as spermicides, diaphragms, and non-lubricated condoms, can all increase the risk of developing a UTI. Talk to your doctor about other forms of birth control that may be appropriate for you.

·       Enjoy cranberries.

You may have heard cranberries or cranberry juice suggested as a home remedy for UTIs – and there’s some solid reasoning behind its recommendation. Cranberries contain specific compounds called proanthocyanidins, which have the potential to reduce the spread of E. coli bacteria to the urinary tract. There’s also some research to suggest that the vitamin C content of cranberry products could increase the acidity of your urine, reducing the growth and spread of bad bacteria.

Treating a UTI

If these prevention strategies fail you, and you do end up with a UTI, you’ll want to treat it as quickly and efficiently as possible. For mild symptoms, you may be able to eliminate the infection completely on your own with the help of cranberry juice, lots of water, and frequent urination.

If you don’t notice the symptoms improving after a few days, it’s important to talk to your doctor; they may recommend antibiotics to clear the infection or provide you with alternative treatment options.