Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can knock even the strongest woman off her game. The pain and discomfort don’t resolve themselves, and putting off treatment can make symptoms and long-term consequences worse. If not dealt with, a UTI can lead to permanent kidney damage or other irreversible ailments.
Whether you’ve experienced the fiery pain of a UTI or simply want to avoid it, you can reduce your risks. And if a UTI does strike, getting treatment and managing recurring infections is more manageable than you might expect.
1. Commit to Good Hydration
Coffee is practically essential for any breakfast menu, but counting it as part of your daily hydration is a no-no. Good hydration is key for every human body, and it’s recommended that most adults drink eight or more glasses daily. However, many people’s daily hydration habits differ greatly from this advice. And if you’re susceptible to UTIs, you may be increasing the likelihood of infection just by sipping a latte.
Before an infection strikes, aim for consuming eight cups of water each day. Add sliced fruit to keep it interesting, but don’t count carbonated water toward your goal. If you drink coffee, soda, or tea, add one cup of water for each to counterbalance their dehydrating effects. Caffeine and aspartame decrease your body’s water storage, so limit them regularly and eliminate them if you have an infection.
For people in the midst of UTI treatment, hydration matters even more. Popular culture often recommends those suffering from a UTI drink cranberry juice, but the research is unclear. While cranberry juice can add to your hydration efforts, it’s not a replacement for professional treatment. Make sure to purchase 100% cranberry juice, not sugar-laden cranberry juice cocktail, as excess sugar can aggravate infections.
If a bathroom visit that has you screaming isn’t enough encouragement to drink more water, get creative. Coordinate your water bottle with your outfit or use one with hydration goals marked on the side. Learn if you’re an ice-water fan or if room temperature is more palatable. Good hydration is a healthy best practice, and you may find the rest of your body performs better too.
2. Practice Good Hygiene
Good hygiene is always supportive of a healthy body, but sometimes best practices go by the wayside. A sweaty gym session followed by a few errands may help you save time. However, the bacteria generated at the gym has ample time to multiply as you stroll the produce aisle.
Think about your habits and make sure you’re keeping things clean. Make certain that your bathroom visits aren’t so rushed that your cleanup has you wiping in reverse. Even one accidental swipe of fecal matter in the urethra can allow bacteria to develop into an infection.
After intimacy, your post-coitus glow may have you ready to drift off into dreamland. But succumbing to oxytocin may result in less-than-desirable situations. Instead, make one last bathroom visit to urinate and clean up. This may be a departure from your habits, but removing bacteria from your urethra can greatly reduce your UTI risk.
Your required bathroom visit isn’t only limited to penetrative sex — whenever new bacteria is introduced, you should urinate afterward. This includes and is not limited to masturbation, oral sex, manual stimulation, or using toys. Always protect your unique pH by flushing out bacteria that isn’t your own.
3. Avoid Products Known to Irritate Sensitive Areas
Marketing mavens know exactly what they’re doing. That’s why the idea that pelvic regions require fragrance-laden products is so prolific. In reality, the pH balance of your pelvic region is delicate and should be considered with care. Be willing to reconsider what the magazines have told you about vaginal and vaginal-adjacent care and listen to the experts.
In fact, the Office on Women’s Health recommends that women do not use douches. Introducing foreign bacteria or formulations can lead to increased infections. And if you’re especially sensitive to fragrances and other products elsewhere on your body, ignoring this advice can be problematic. Instead, allow your body’s natural cleansing process of vaginal discharge and regular urination do the trick.
Review the other products that interact with your pelvic region, not just those for insertion. Laundry detergents, body cleaners and lotions, and even dry cleaning chemicals can irritate sensitive skin.
For vaginal-related products, choose period care that’s more natural, avoiding fragrances altogether. Use regular absorbency tampons if you can, as larger sizes may encourage users to replace tampons less frequently. Keep your vaginal and urinary health at their best by managing what goes in and near this sensitive area.
Managing Recurring UTIs
Once you’ve spent a week sprinting to the bathroom, it’s likely you’d like to avoid joining the UTI race again. However, some women are more susceptible to UTIs than others, making recurring infections an unfortunate possibility.
If you’re staying hydrated, managing hygiene risks, avoiding irritating products, and have ensured your medications don’t irritate, have hope. Work with your health care provider to devise a plan to manage your UTI factors, treat infections, and identify solutions. As with any health-related topic, advocating for your needs is the best way to ensure you feel your best.
