Urinary tract infections are an unfortunate part of being a vagina owner. The bacterial infection occurs anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes your urethra, kidneys, bladder and ureters, and it seriously sucks. While there are many things that can cause these pesky things, there are also things you can do to avoid getting them in the first place.
- Go pee before and after sex. Certain positions make it easier for bacteria to find its way into and get stuck in your urethra. If you pee before you start and after you finish the deed, you can flush out all the microscopic losers and stop a potential UTI before it even starts. Walking to the bathroom after a particularly satisfying and exhausting encounter might seem like the worst thing in the world, but a UTI and its burning, stinging aftermath aren’t worth it. Just drag your ass out of bed and go tinkle.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body needs water — make sure you’re well hydrated. Water helps to get rid of bacteria inside your bladder and keeps things running smoothly. Dehydration is a problem in and of itself and can cause kidney stones, which are another cause of UTIs. Put down the sugary drinks and hydrate with water.
- Practice good hygiene. Wipe from front to back when you use the bathroom, not back to front. Wiping from your butt towards your vagina can force back door bacteria into your urethra. While “back door bacteria” sounds like the name of an awesome metal band, it’s not so awesome for your urinary tract. These areas are inconveniently close together, but bacteria from bowel movements should be kept as far away from your lady parts as possible.
- Avoid wearing really tight pants. Skinny jeans that constrict your lower body like arthritic snakes can trap moisture down in your crotch. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacterial growth, and when you wear tight pants all day, that bacteria-ridden moisture is being forced up against your urethra. With no ventilation down there, that bacteria can make its way into your urinary tract. Your wardrobe choices may seem like an unlikely cause of UTIs, but the potential is there.
- When you have to go pee, go pee. Don’t hold it. Keeping the golden brew backed up can trap bacteria in your urinary tract and cause those unpleasant side effects we all hate so much. Don’t even let yourself get to the point of desperately doing the potty dance. Just go. Squat down in an alleyway if you have to, and let ‘er rip.
- Don’t use feminine “hygiene” products. These products are often advertised as being a necessity for your lady parts, but for a lot of people, they do far more harm than good. The ingredients can actually mess with your vagina’s natural state and put you at a bigger risk for bacterial infections. Your vagina knows what its doing. Just leave it be. Avoiding spermicides is a good idea, as well. While they might have no negative side effects on one woman, the next woman will get fire-breathing UTIs from using them. The chemicals inside them can be highly irritating to your fertile lady valley. Don’t be afraid to explore other birth control options if spermicides don’t work for you.
- Go see a doctor. If you think you’re doing all the right things but you’re still getting UTIs, it’s time for a trip to the doctor. Antibiotics will clear up most urinary tract infections, but if they’re being caused by something more serious, you need to know right away. Untreated UTIs can cause all kinds of nasty problems with your kidneys and other essential body parts. Sitting around and waiting for a raging UTI to go away won’t do you any good. To the doctor!
