Risk Factors and Prevention Tips

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• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

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Having sex is a common cause behind this type of infection, especially for women. Following certain steps, like peeing after sex and drinking lots of water, may help prevent it.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects your urinary system, including your urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Although a UTI can affect any part of your urinary system, it most often causes an infection in your bladder. This is known as cystitis.

Although urine doesn’t contain bacteria, sometimes bacteria in your genital area can get into your urinary tract. This can lead to infection and inflammation, which is known as a UTI.

Many factors can increase your risk for getting a UTI, including having sex.

According to a 2013 review, UTIs will likely affect at least 50 to 60 percent of women in their lifetime. Although men have a lower risk for getting a UTI, especially after sex, it can still happen.

In this article, we’ll look at what you can do to lower your risk for getting a UTI from sex, other possible risk factors, and the most effective treatment.

Yes, you can get a UTI from having sex, especially if you’re a woman.

“During sexual intercourse, thrusting can introduce bacteria up the urethra and into the bladder, increasing the risk of a UTI,” explains Dr. Lakeisha Richardson, MD, OB-GYN.

The reason that women are more prone to getting a UTI from sex is due to female anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra than men, which means it’s easier for bacteria to get into the bladder.

Also, the urethra is closer to the anus in women. This makes it easier for bacteria, like E. coli, to get into the urethra.

It’s important to keep in mind that you can also get a UTI from oral sex, not just penetrative sex. With oral sex, bacteria can still get introduced into the urethra, which can lead to an infection.

Although anyone is susceptible to getting a UTI from having sex, Richardson says women with a history of recurrent UTIs or urinary abnormalities have an increased risk for these infections.

Although it might not be possible to come up with a completely foolproof plan to prevent a UTI, you can certainly take steps to reduce your risk for getting a UTI after sex.

Here are some tips:

• One helpful tip, says Richardson, is to always urinate after sex. “Eliminating any bacteria in the bladder after sex decreases the risk of a UTI,” she explains.
• Some doctors also recommend urinating before sex to lower the risk of a UTI.
• Washing your genital area with warm water before sex may reduce the risk of bacteria getting into the urethra, especially for women.
• Some contraceptives, such as diaphragms or spermicides, may increase your risk for a UTI. If you think either of these may be contributing to your UTI, consider other forms of contraception.

Richardson also says women who have recurrent UTIs may benefit from taking a prescribed antibiotic after sex. This is typically one dose taken immediately after having sexual intercourse.

If you’re prone to getting UTIs, you may want to talk with your doctor about an antibiotic prescription for this purpose.

While anyone can get a UTI, research shows that women are about eight times more likely to get one than men.

“Also, menopausal women with dry or atrophic tissue have a higher risk of getting a UTI,” Richardson explains.

Other factors that can put you at a higher risk for a UTI include:

• frequent, intense sexual intercourse
• sex with a new partner
• a previous UTI
• multiple pregnancies
• obesity
• diabetes
• a weakened immune system
• urinary or genital abnormalities

Another factor is family history. According to Harvard Health, having a mother or sister who has frequent UTIs may increase your risk for getting one, too.

The symptoms that accompany a UTI can cause discomfort. If severe enough, this discomfort can put a serious kink in your day-to-day life.

Some of the more common symptoms of a UTI include:

• an urge to urinate frequently but passing less urine
• a burning sensation when urinating
• pain or pressure in the abdomen or pelvic area
• blood in urine
• abnormal urine that may smell or appear cloudy
• rectal pain (in men)

Depending on the location, you may also experience pain in your upper back and abdominal sides. This may be a sign that the infection has spread to your kidneys. Alongside pain, you may also experience:

• nausea
• vomiting
• chills
• fever

Sex is a common cause of a UTI, but it’s not the only cause.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), there are many factors that can cause a UTI. Besides having sex, some of the most common causes include:

• problems with completely emptying your bladder when you urinate
• blockages or obstructions in your urinary tract, like kidney stones or an enlarged prostate
• the use of urinary catheters
• frequent use of antibiotics, which can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your urinary tract

If you have symptoms of a UTI, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. They’ll be able to diagnose and treat your infection with the right kind of medication.

Most UTIs can be successfully treated with antibiotics. According to the ACOG, most antibiotic treatments are very effective and last only a few days.

There are also other medications available for treatment that are not antibiotic based.

To help ease symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort while urinating, your doctor may also prescribe pain medication.

If a UTI is more complicated or has progressed to a more severe infection, your doctor may prescribe additional medications or consider hospitalization.

If you’re prone to recurring UTIs (defined as three or more UTIs a year), your doctor may consider additional treatments, such as:

• a low-dose antibiotic that’s taken for 6 months
• a single dose of antibiotics to be taken immediately after sex
• vaginal estrogen therapy for postmenopausal women

At home, while you’re waiting to see your doctor, try to:

• drink plenty of water
• avoid liquids that may irritate your bladder, including:
  • coffee
  • soda
  • citrus juice
  • alcohol
• apply a heating pad to your back if you have pelvic or abdominal pain

In addition to any treatment plan your doctor may prescribe, consider the following tips to prevent a UTI from coming back:

• Drink plenty of fluids, at least six to eight glasses of water a day.
• Frequently empty your bladder and as soon as you feel the urge. This is especially important immediately after sex.
• For women, after urinating, wipe from front to back to avoid introducing any bacteria into the urethra.
• Keep your genital area clean by gently washing with warm water every day, as well as before sex.
• Use contraception that doesn’t include a spermicide.
• Avoid douching or using vaginal deodorants or scented tampons or pads.
• Avoid wearing jeans and underwear that are too tight.

Richardson also suggests taking a vaginal probiotic. These probiotic capsules might prevent recurring UTIs by helping to maintain a healthy vaginal flora on a daily basis.

One popular tip you may have heard about is drinking cranberry juice to prevent UTIs. However, studies on the effectiveness of cranberry juice to prevent a UTI aren’t conclusive.

So, for now, don’t rely on cranberry juice as a prevention method.

UTI Supplement Options

Read our full review of Uqora, a company that focuses on developing natural supplements for UTI prevention.

Was this helpful?

Sexual intercourse can increase your risk for getting a UTI, but there are simple steps you can take to reduce your chance of getting one. Pee right after sex and keep your genital area clean. Consider possibly using a different form of contraception.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about how to prevent a UTI. Also, be sure to get medical attention if you have a burning sensation when you pee, blood in your urine, or pain in your abdomen or abdominal sides.

Risk Factors and Prevention Tips

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

Having sex is a common cause behind this type of infection, especially for women. Following certain steps, like peeing after sex and drinking lots of water, may help prevent it.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects your urinary system, including your urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Although a UTI can affect any part of your urinary system, it most often causes an infection in your bladder. This is known as cystitis.

Although urine doesn’t contain bacteria, sometimes bacteria in your genital area can get into your urinary tract. This can lead to infection and inflammation, which is known as a UTI.

Many factors can increase your risk for getting a UTI, including having sex.

According to a 2013 review, UTIs will likely affect at least 50 to 60 percent of women in their lifetime. Although men have a lower risk for getting a UTI, especially after sex, it can still happen.

In this article, we’ll look at what you can do to lower your risk for getting a UTI from sex, other possible risk factors, and the most effective treatment.

Yes, you can get a UTI from having sex, especially if you’re a woman.

“During sexual intercourse, thrusting can introduce bacteria up the urethra and into the bladder, increasing the risk of a UTI,” explains Dr. Lakeisha Richardson, MD, OB-GYN.

The reason that women are more prone to getting a UTI from sex is due to female anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra than men, which means it’s easier for bacteria to get into the bladder.

Also, the urethra is closer to the anus in women. This makes it easier for bacteria, like E. coli, to get into the urethra.

It’s important to keep in mind that you can also get a UTI from oral sex, not just penetrative sex. With oral sex, bacteria can still get introduced into the urethra, which can lead to an infection.

Although anyone is susceptible to getting a UTI from having sex, Richardson says women with a history of recurrent UTIs or urinary abnormalities have an increased risk for these infections.

Although it might not be possible to come up with a completely foolproof plan to prevent a UTI, you can certainly take steps to reduce your risk for getting a UTI after sex.

Here are some tips:

• One helpful tip, says Richardson, is to always urinate after sex. “Eliminating any bacteria in the bladder after sex decreases the risk of a UTI,” she explains.
• Some doctors also recommend urinating before sex to lower the risk of a UTI.
• Washing your genital area with warm water before sex may reduce the risk of bacteria getting into the urethra, especially for women.
• Some contraceptives, such as diaphragms or spermicides, may increase your risk for a UTI. If you think either of these may be contributing to your UTI, consider other forms of contraception.

Richardson also says women who have recurrent UTIs may benefit from taking a prescribed antibiotic after sex. This is typically one dose taken immediately after having sexual intercourse.

If you’re prone to getting UTIs, you may want to talk with your doctor about an antibiotic prescription for this purpose.

While anyone can get a UTI, research shows that women are about eight times more likely to get one than men.

“Also, menopausal women with dry or atrophic tissue have a higher risk of getting a UTI,” Richardson explains.

Other factors that can put you at a higher risk for a UTI include:

• frequent, intense sexual intercourse
• sex with a new partner
• a previous UTI
• multiple pregnancies
• obesity
• diabetes
• a weakened immune system
• urinary or genital abnormalities

Another factor is family history. According to Harvard Health, having a mother or sister who has frequent UTIs may increase your risk for getting one, too.

The symptoms that accompany a UTI can cause discomfort. If severe enough, this discomfort can put a serious kink in your day-to-day life.

Some of the more common symptoms of a UTI include:

• an urge to urinate frequently but passing less urine
• a burning sensation when urinating
• pain or pressure in the abdomen or pelvic area
• blood in urine
• abnormal urine that may smell or appear cloudy
• rectal pain (in men)

Depending on the location, you may also experience pain in your upper back and abdominal sides. This may be a sign that the infection has spread to your kidneys. Alongside pain, you may also experience:

• nausea
• vomiting
• chills
• fever

Sex is a common cause of a UTI, but it’s not the only cause.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), there are many factors that can cause a UTI. Besides having sex, some of the most common causes include:

• problems with completely emptying your bladder when you urinate
• blockages or obstructions in your urinary tract, like kidney stones or an enlarged prostate
• the use of urinary catheters
• frequent use of antibiotics, which can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your urinary tract

If you have symptoms of a UTI, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. They’ll be able to diagnose and treat your infection with the right kind of medication.

Most UTIs can be successfully treated with antibiotics. According to the ACOG, most antibiotic treatments are very effective and last only a few days.

There are also other medications available for treatment that are not antibiotic based.

To help ease symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort while urinating, your doctor may also prescribe pain medication.

If a UTI is more complicated or has progressed to a more severe infection, your doctor may prescribe additional medications or consider hospitalization.

If you’re prone to recurring UTIs (defined as three or more UTIs a year), your doctor may consider additional treatments, such as:

• a low-dose antibiotic that’s taken for 6 months
• a single dose of antibiotics to be taken immediately after sex
• vaginal estrogen therapy for postmenopausal women

At home, while you’re waiting to see your doctor, try to:

• drink plenty of water
• avoid liquids that may irritate your bladder, including:
  • coffee
  • soda
  • citrus juice
  • alcohol
• apply a heating pad to your back if you have pelvic or abdominal pain

In addition to any treatment plan your doctor may prescribe, consider the following tips to prevent a UTI from coming back:

• Drink plenty of fluids, at least six to eight glasses of water a day.
• Frequently empty your bladder and as soon as you feel the urge. This is especially important immediately after sex.
• For women, after urinating, wipe from front to back to avoid introducing any bacteria into the urethra.
• Keep your genital area clean by gently washing with warm water every day, as well as before sex.
• Use contraception that doesn’t include a spermicide.
• Avoid douching or using vaginal deodorants or scented tampons or pads.
• Avoid wearing jeans and underwear that are too tight.

Richardson also suggests taking a vaginal probiotic. These probiotic capsules might prevent recurring UTIs by helping to maintain a healthy vaginal flora on a daily basis.

One popular tip you may have heard about is drinking cranberry juice to prevent UTIs. However, studies on the effectiveness of cranberry juice to prevent a UTI aren’t conclusive.

So, for now, don’t rely on cranberry juice as a prevention method.

UTI Supplement Options

Read our full review of Uqora, a company that focuses on developing natural supplements for UTI prevention.

Was this helpful?

Sexual intercourse can increase your risk for getting a UTI, but there are simple steps you can take to reduce your chance of getting one. Pee right after sex and keep your genital area clean. Consider possibly using a different form of contraception.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about how to prevent a UTI. Also, be sure to get medical attention if you have a burning sensation when you pee, blood in your urine, or pain in your abdomen or abdominal sides.

Prevention after casual relationships – Arnika Family Clinic, Krasnoyarsk

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Virtual tour. Clinic “ARNIKA”

Alas, statistics show that every second case of unprotected sexual contact entails infection with a urogenital infection. And not always in a man the first signs of the disease appear immediately (after 2-3 days). It happens that 2-3 weeks pass, and even after such a long period of time, complaints may be minimal or absent . .. (And the disease continues to progress …) What should I do if there was unprotected sexual contact with a casual partner?

In this case, four options are possible:

1. Within a few days after such sexual contact, prophylaxis (prophylactic treatment) is possible. It will prevent the development of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, syphilis, trichomoniasis). Prevention (prophylactic treatment) is carried out within a few days after sexual contact. Prophylactic treatment regimens correspond to treatment regimens for fresh, uncomplicated infection.

2. You can skip prophylaxis, wait 3-4 weeks, and then get tested for STDs by making an appointment with a venereologist. Before 3-4 weeks, it makes no sense to be examined, since during the incubation period there are no symptoms of the disease, and laboratory tests during this period are not informative.

3. There is another option (in most cases, difficult to implement). You can convince your casual sexual partner to come to an appointment with a venereologist and be examined for sexually transmitted infections.

4. Use the so-called “home” ways to prevent STDs after casual sex. Without visiting a doctor, the effectiveness of these methods is low. These methods are methods of prevention at home, but for many reasons, they do not give any guarantee that after their use the occurrence and development of STDs is impossible. That is why you can use them, but you should not rely on them 100%.

How is prophylaxis of casual sex tolerated? Isn’t it dangerous for health?

Most of the drugs prescribed for the prevention of casual relationships are given once (that is, they are taken by mouth or injected intramuscularly only once). Therefore, in most cases, the side effects of antibiotic therapy (intestinal dysbacteriosis, candidiasis / thrush) do not have time to manifest themselves.

Side effects of antibiotic therapy usually occur with longer antibiotic use. The only thing to be wary of when preventing casual relationships is drug allergies. Therefore, if you are allergic to drugs, be sure to tell your doctor!

How often can prophylaxis of casual sex be carried out?

Prophylaxis after casual sex is a last resort (backup) method of preventing sexually transmitted diseases. It cannot be done frequently and therefore cannot be considered as an alternative to the condom (as many would like).

In addition, prophylaxis after casual sex does not prevent the development of viral infections (genital herpes, human papillomavirus/genital warts infections, HIV infection).

How effective is the prevention of venereal diseases with chlorhexidine (Gibitan, Miramistin, etc.)?

Chlorhexidine prophylaxis is very unreliable. It does not give any guarantees (despite the promises of manufacturers). Moreover, in some cases, prophylaxis with chlorhexidine can do more harm than good.

For example, a person, relying completely on this method, lives a promiscuous sex life without a condom. At the same time, he does not consider it necessary to be checked by a venereologist, make an appointment with a venereologist, even if the symptoms of STDs are obvious. As a result, he risks acquiring a whole “bouquet” of venereal diseases.

In addition, in women, chlorhexidine can cause vaginal dysbacteriosis, the so-called bacterial vaginosis.

That is why the most reliable method of preventing STDs after casual relationships is the drug method (under the supervision of a venereologist).

At present, almost all infections are curable (with the rare exception of the viral type), and the arsenal of drugs is so large that it allows effective treatment even in the most difficult cases. If necessary, it is possible to include physiotherapeutic procedures in the course of treatment, which enhance the effectiveness of medicines and allow you to cure the disease as quickly as possible and restore the body.

Our advice: be sure to take laboratory tests to be sure of your health!

emergency prevention of venereal diseases (sexually transmitted diseases)

The cost of prevention is 1200 hryvnias.

If there was sexual contact with a random partner, and there is no certainty that the person is “clean”, there is cause for concern and quite serious. Even if the relationship took place in a condom, there is absolutely no guarantee that you cannot catch any venereal disease. Condoms are not always reliable. Their use should not be comforting. For example, there is evidence that they do not always protect against papillomaviruses and viral hepatitis B and C. Not everyone knows how to use a condom correctly. Ideally, a condom should be put on immediately after the clothes are removed, since it is very easy to transfer the infection from the partner’s genitals during foreplay. Bacteria do not care what serves as a carrier – genitals or hands.

If there was no condom at all, it is clear that everything is bad. In addition to the risk of falling ill with incurable diseases (or diseases that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to treat, such as hepatitis C), it is possible to infect a wife or long-term partner. To prevent the risk of infection of permanent partners will have to wait 2 months. It is after this period that you can get a reliable analysis for AIDS and syphilis. Other diseases can be diagnosed earlier – within 14-21 days after exposure. All this time, you will have to be nervous, invent reasons to evade marital duties and prepare a decent amount for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Naturally, in the face of such a problem, humanity was looking for a way out. What to do if sexual intercourse without a condom (or even with a condom, but with a random partner) took place?

Significantly reduce the likelihood of problems in a simple way (for men): urinate immediately after contact. Then wash the external genitalia well with soap. Also wash the entire body from the navel to the knees. Even better if within 2 hours FROM START! sexual intercourse, after the procedures described above, apply a solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin. These solutions are available in special packaging with a spout, so that it is convenient to pour the substance into the urethra. The technique is very simple: after urination, insert the spout of the bottle into the opening of the urethra, clamp the mouth of the canal with one hand so that it tightly covers the tip, and squeeze out the contents of the bottle. As soon as the liquid begins to pour back and you feel fullness in the urethra, you can stop the infusion. Now you need to clamp the mouth of the channel for a few minutes (usually 5-10 minutes). This will be the exposure time of the drug. Theoretically, this is enough to kill the causative agents of STDs (venereal diseases). In practice, this method does not have absolute reliability, although in most cases it helps to stay healthy. The disadvantage of the method is that it requires the correct execution technique and the medicine is not always at hand. Time for preventive maintenance is limited.

What if more than two hours have passed? Prophylactic antibiotics are a good half measure. They are given briefly and are effective against bacterial infections (eg gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis). Antibiotics do not work against viruses and the risk of getting hepatitis C, AIDS or papillomavirus infection remains.

Fortunately, there is a method that does not have these shortcomings. It has been used in our practice for over 16 years. Effective up to 72 hours after sexual contact. Works on both bacteria and viruses. For for the prevention of STDs, deep instillations of the drug , an ointment-based antiseptic, are used. Technically, this is done as follows: a Nelaton catheter 18 cm long is inserted into the urethra. The procedure itself is absolutely painless. After the introduction of the catheter, the urethra is filled all over – from the bladder to the outer mouth – with medicine. The antiseptic drug, being made on an ointment basis, remains in the urethra even after urination, as it lubricates the walls of the urethra. Try to wash something greasy off the surface without soap. It won’t work. Similarly, the medicine remains on the walls of the urethra. This technique achieves several goals:

• First: the entire length of the urethra is treated.
• Second: the drug exposure time is increased to several hours. This is critically important: the longer the medicine is on the surface of the mucosa, the more effectively it disinfects.
• Thirdly: the composition of the drug is effective against bacterial and viral infections and at the same time spares the canal mucosa.
• Fourth: the most important advantage is the effectiveness of prophylaxis up to 3 days. There is probably no need to describe why this is convenient.

Why is this method so effective?

The fact is that washing with chlorhexidine or miramistin can only disinfect the urethra to a depth of 5 centimeters. If more than 2 hours have passed after contact, the causative agent of a venereal disease penetrates higher and is no longer “reachable” by conventional means. We use a long catheter with which you can process the entire length of the urethra. Another point: the action of chlorhexidine or miramistin lasts exactly as long as a person keeps the channel clamped, that is, 5-10 minutes. Such exposure is not enough to destroy many of the pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases. We use a medicine that has an ointment base, that is, it can remain on the surface for a long time and even be absorbed. The therapeutic concentration of such a drug can be detected even several hours after the prophylaxis procedure. All of the above advantages of our method have led to the fact that it can be used within a few days from the moment of infection.

Why it’s possible : Every sexually transmitted disease has an incubation period. This is the period of time from the entry of the pathogen into the body until the onset of symptoms of the disease. During this period, the bacterium or virus adapts to new conditions and multiplies to such an extent that it can cause manifestations of the disease. You can compare the incubation period with the germination of grain planted in the soil. For some time, the grain lies unchanged, then swells, sprouts and roots. The most vulnerable period is precisely this interval between the entry of grain into the soil and the rooting of the plant. The same principle applies to sexually transmitted pathogens. If you act with an antiseptic on the pathogen at a time when it has not yet adapted to new conditions, you can eliminate it quite easily.

When should prophylaxis be done?

Whenever there was contact with a stranger. Even if it was in a condom.

Is prophylaxis beneficial?

The cost of prevention is less than the cost of testing for sexually transmitted diseases. If we compare the cost of prevention with the cost of treatment, the difference is simply huge. If we talk about intangible aspects, then the preserved relationships and the situation in the family are worth doing prevention after unprotected sexual contact. The most valuable thing is that you keep your health.

Can prophylaxis hurt?

All components used in the composition of the antiseptic can be easily purchased at the pharmacy and they are, of course, approved for use in medical practice. The catheter with which the drug is administered is designed in such a way that it cannot damage anything.