How to Prevent a UTI?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are relatively common among women compared to men. Because of the shorter distance between the urethral opening and the bladder, they are more prone to get UTIs. Their urethra and the anus are also in close proximity, raising the risk of UTI further.

Certain lifestyle modifications help prevent urinary tract infections in both men and women, while some prevent UTIs, especially in females.

Drinking water

Drink an adequate amount of liquids daily. If your urine appears darker than a very light yellow, it means you are not drinking enough liquids. Therefore, you should increase your fluid intake. Drinking plenty of water helps produce enough urine, which flushes pathogenic bacteria from the urinary tract before they begin an infection.

Hygiene

You should keep up your hygiene to prevent UTIs. Following urination or a bowel movement, wipe front to back. It helps avoid bacteria in your anal region from entering the urethra and the vagina. Don’t attempt to reach from behind as bacteria from the anus may be transferred to your hand and the tissue. Do not wipe twice using the same tissue.

It is better to take showers instead of baths. If you prefer baths, try to avoid prolonged baths. Bath water usually becomes contaminated by your own skin flora. If you sit in a tub for a long period, bacteria can easily reach the urethra. When you clean your genital region, always wash front to back.

Use tampons for your menstrual periods rather than using pads or sanitary napkins. They keep the urethral region drier, limiting pathogenic bacterial growth.

Stay away from using irritating female products such as douches, deodorant sprays, and powders in your genital region, because the irritation promotes you to scratch and damage the healthy tissues.

It is better to avoid longer intervals between the passages of urine. Empty your bladder at least four hourly during the daytime while you’re awake even if the urge to urinate is absent. When you feel the need to pass urine, don’t attempt to hold it for a long period until you find a convenient place or time.

Clothes

Wear clean, dry clothes. Avoid wearing tight underwear, which consists nonbreathing materials. Such undergarments allow accumulation of moisture in the genital region. Therefore, they can cause maceration of your skin, which helps grow bacteria. Use cotton underwear as much as possible.

Physical activities

When you exercise or engage in any other physical activities, don’t forget to drink plenty of liquids and empty your bladder frequently.

Because the sexual intercourse increases the risk for UTI, you should pass urine just after sexual activity. Drink a glass of water after your sexual activity. If you get UTIs following sexual intercourse, your doctor may ask you to take a single dose of an antibiotic or urinary antiseptic after each intercourse. Avoid using spermicidal jelly, because it kills commensal flora in the vagina, which helps prevents pathogenic bacterial growth.

Medications

If you get urinary tract infections following your menopause, your doctor may prescribe a vaginal cream, which contains oestrogen. Oestrogen increases the integrity of the lining (epithelium) of your urinary tract and helps secrete antimicrobial proteins within your bladder. Therefore, oestrogen helps you prevent UTIs.

Take antimicrobial medications only according to your doctor’s prescription. Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent UTIs and allow the urinary tract to heal. Follow the instructions, especially regarding the dose and the duration carefully.



Related Links:

How to Recognise a Urinary Tract Infection?
Urinary Tract Infection: Causes
Who Is at Risk of UTI?
UTI: Complications and Diagnosis
UTI: Treatments
How to Manage Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Children?