While there is no certain way to prevent UTI, there are some precautions that you can take to keep yourself from developing the condition.
Although urinary tract infections (UTI) are often unpleasant, there are ways to prevent them from affecting you. If left untreated, these infections can spread to the bladder, kidneys, or bloodstream.
In severe cases, they can be life-threatening. The good news is that preventing urinary tract infections is relatively simple.
Staying well-hydrated is important, as is not holding in urine. You should also avoid touching your urethra duct with fecal matter.
How Do You Know If You Have a UTI?
When you suspect you may have a UTI, you should see a doctor immediately. Early treatment will reduce the discomfort caused by the infection.
Urinary tract infections can be treated at urgent care centers and hospital emergency rooms. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis using a sterile urine specimen.
This will require that you wash your genital area and pee into a sterile cup.
What Are the Main Causes of UTI?
UTIs can be caused by a variety of conditions, including structural abnormalities in the urinary tract. These abnormalities can harbor bacteria and create blockages.
An enlarged bladder can also contribute to UTIs by preventing the bladder from emptying completely. Diabetes may also increase the risk of UTIs because it lowers the body’s ability to fight off germs.
Is it Normal to Keep Getting UTIs?
Women are more likely to have recurring UTIs than men. The reason may be related to the way their bodies work. Women’s diaphragms are pushed up during sex, making it harder for the bladder to empty completely.
This makes the urine more likely to contain bacteria. Men’s bladders are also less likely to empty completely during sex, but men can get UTIs from an enlarged prostate.
How to Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI). Not only does it help you eliminate fecal matter, but it also helps keep the urinary tract clean.
Typically, you should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water every day. However, if you tend to suffer from UTIs regularly, you may need to drink even more.
According to Harvard University researchers, drinking more water can significantly reduce your risk of a recurrence of urinary tract infections.
Study participants who drank 1.5 liters of water per day had about 50% fewer episodes. Drinking more water can also help you avoid painful UTIs.
You can set reminders in your phone to remind yourself to drink water. Additionally, keep a bottle of water nearby to drink when you feel the need to.
Avoid holding in urine
If you want to prevent or avoid a urinary tract infection (UTI), you need to drink plenty of water. Holding in urine can cause more bacteria to grow. Also, pregnant women should never hold in urine for more than 4 hours.
Additionally, you should always clean your genitals with a sterile swab. This will prevent bacteria from traveling from your anus to your urethra.
Most women will not experience any harmful effects by holding in urine, but this practice has been linked to a slight increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
When urine is left in the bladder too long, it tends to increase bacteria growth. If this bacteria growth leads to an infection, it will cause further discomfort.
Avoid wiping fecal matter in the bathroom
The first step to preventing a UTI is to stop wiping fecal matter in the toilet. The problem with this is that it spreads bacteria throughout the perianal area, including the urethra, which is the most vulnerable part of the urinary tract.
Wiping fecal matter with the front of the hand is a better option and can reduce the spread of bacteria.
A UTI is a common condition, especially in women. This infection is caused by bacteria called E. coli, which normally lives in the intestines. These bacteria can travel to the bladder through the urethra and cause an infection.
The infection often includes fever and nausea. In severe cases, it can spread to the kidneys.
Avoid wiping the urethra
Wiping the urethra is not a very effective way to prevent urinary tract infections. This is because bacteria tend to stay near the anus.
Using a front-to-back wipe will lessen the chances of bacteria reaching the urethra. Women should also avoid the use of feminine products that irritate their vagina.
In women, the urethra is shorter than in men, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. The opening of the urethra is also closer to the anus, where most E.coli bacteria reside. If you want to prevent a UTI, wash your hands before and after urinating.
Avoid wiping the vulva
Vaginal hygiene is essential for women, and it is especially crucial to avoid wiping the vulva. As you may already know, bacteria from the vagina can enter the urethra and cause a UTI.
It is important to rinse thoroughly after sex, but do not wipe the vulva. If you must, try to use a soap that is specially designed for the vulva.
You can also try WipeGel, which is acidifying and contains prebiotics. However, be careful not to over-wipe because this will cause skin irritation and damage to the perineal area.
Another risk factor for UTI is using feminine hygiene products. The ingredients in these products can disrupt the vagina’s natural balance of bacteria, leading to increased risk of UTIs.
Furthermore, they alter the pH level in the vagina, which is a good environment for infection-causing organisms. In addition, the use of lubricants can increase the risk of a UTI, as they can introduce bacteria that can lead to an infection.
Avoid smoking
Smoking can increase your risk of developing interstitial cystitis, which is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the bladder.
The inflammation of the bladder can mimic urinary tract infections without the presence of the actual infection. The longer the urine stays in the bladder, the more time it has to breed infection-causing bacteria. The only effective way to prevent this painful condition is to stop smoking.
Cigarette smoke contains toxins that damage the lining of the bladder and increases the risk of bladder cancer. In addition, smoking also affects sperm production. Sperm produced by smokers are less capable of fertilizing egg cells and are less likely to implant properly.
Studies have also shown that the effects of tobacco during a woman’s pregnancy can be felt as low sperm count as an adult. Tobacco consumption can also worsen the symptoms of Interstitial cystitis, which is more common in smokers.
The Mayo Clinic describes interstitial cystitis as a chronic condition that causes symptoms such as bladder pain, bladder pressure, and sometimes pelvic pain.
