Very Easy and Effective tips to Prevent UTI’s
Last updated on April 14, 2021 Reviewed by Dr. Sandeep Sahwney, M.D., Board Certified Urologist
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Prevention and healthy maintenance are the keys!
First, a few simple bathroom and bedroom habits can prevent harmful bacteria from getting into the urinary tract!
Second, we discuss ongoing strategies to maintain your urinary tract health and make it far less vulnerable to infection that are fast, easy, and inexpensive!
Did you know women are four times more likely to get a urinary tract infection than men!?
Let’s talk about some simple but effective bedroom habits to help prevent UTI’s.
● It makes a world of difference to cleanse your genitals before and after sex. Warm water and a plain, mild soap will generally do the trick.
● Avoid harsh cleansers or scented soaps, which can cause inflammation of the urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body).
● Urinate immediately after sex! I cannot emphasize this enough. Doing so helps flush bacteria and other microbes out of the urinary tract.
● Wash your rectum daily. This is advice my patients are often surprised to hear. Regular washing prevents bacteria from spreading from residual fecal matter, often trapped in skin folds. Fecal matter contains e.coli, which causes 90% of UTI’s!
● Drinks LOTS of water. By regularly flushing the urinary tract, bacteria will have a harder time establishing an infection. Aim to drink several glasses of water per day - an easy way to make this into a habit is to drink 8 oz (1 Cup) of water every 2 hours which will adequately hydrate your body and keep the urinary tract flushed out and clean.
● Don't hold your urine! This allows any bacteria circulating in the bladder to establish an infection. Go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the need and be sure to empty your bladder completely.
Now let’s talk about simple and effective strategies to maintain a healthy bladder and urethra which will make it easier for the body to fight off potential UTI’s.
The risk of UTI in women is greater due, in part, to the influences of the natural bacteria in the vagina. The "good" Lactobacillus bacteria found in the vaginal flora help maintain the ideal acidity (pH 3.8 to 4.5) to keep harmful bacteria at bay. Disrupting this balance can promote infection and make a UTI all the more likely.
Among the most effective ways to prevent a UTI:
Try Probiotics
● Try probiotics. Probiotics, found in foods like yogurt and over-the-counter nutritional supplements, not only help maintain healthy digestive flora but can promote the same in the vagina. We recommend UTRx boost which contains 11 strains of healthy probiotic strains that support immune function, gut health, and a healthy and balanced vagina.
Take a UTI Supplement with 36mg PAC's
● Take a UTI supplement that contains American Urological Association approved 36 mg Type-1 PAC’s (proanthocyanidins) from cranberry extract. Some companies claim to have PAC’s in their product but most use cheap sources like peanut skins. Naturex is the only certified supplier of clinically verified Type-1 PAC’s from cranberry extract and UTRx is the only supplement we could find 3rd party laboratory proof that it contains these PAC’s. Check out the certificates of analysis here.
○ We recommend 36 mg PAC’s for maintenance and 72 mg PAC’s if you are experiencing a UTI.
Take D-Mannose
● Take D-Mannose. D-mannose is one of the most effective supplements for both treatment and prevention of UTIs. D-mannose is effective because it attaches to E. coli bacteria, causing them to stick to each other and preventing them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. The bacteria can then easily be eliminated from the body during urination. We recommend 250 mg for maintenance and 500 mg if you get a UTI. Luckily, you can find Type-1 PAC’s and D-mannose properly dosed in UTRx!
○ D-mannose, even in large quantities, is safe for almost anyone! It does not cause any adverse effects, and cannot be metabolized the way other sugars can, meaning this supplement is safe for people with diabetes and others who are avoiding sugar for any reason. This treatment is also safe for children and the elderly.
○ At a dose of 500 mg, symptom relief can be seen as quickly as the following day, and most symptoms of UTI are generally resolved after 48 hours of treatment.
Avoid Douching
● Avoid douching. Douching only strips away the vaginal flora and creates the ideal environment for a bacterial infection.
Showers not Baths
● Choose showers over baths. Bathing can alter vaginal pH and introduce soap residue and other chemicals into the vagina. If using a washcloth, clean the genital area first and the anus after. If using a hand shower, point it in a downward direction over the vagina rather than into the vagina directly.
Avoid Scented Soaps
● Avoid harsh or scented soaps. Instead, go for milder soaps like Dove Sensitive or Cetaphil. Scented products of any sort can irritate vaginal tissues, including feminine hygiene sprays, bubble bath, perfumed bath oils, scented powders, scented tampons, and scented pads.
Wipe Front To Back
● Wipe from front to back. After urinating, tilt your body forward and, reaching between your buttocks, starting wiping from the front of the vagina to the back. When you are finished, take a separate piece of paper to clean the anus, starting at the perineum (the space between the vagina and anus) and wiping back between your buttocks. Doing so prevents introducing bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
Use Condoms
● Use condoms. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, condoms can prevent the transmission of bacteria during vaginal intercourse:
○ Avoid unlubricated condoms, which can stress vaginal tissues, and spermicidal lubricants (like nonoxynol-9), which can trigger vaginal inflammation.
○ Flavored condoms and lubricants are also a no-no as they are infused with sugars that promote bacterial growth and flavorings that cause irritation.
Avoid Using A Diaphragm
● Avoid using a diaphragm, especially if you are prone to urinary tract infections. A diaphragm can promote the growth of coliform bacteria like E. coli.
○ Consider switching to alternate forms of contraception, such as the Pill or condoms.
Wear Cotton Underwear
● Wear breathable cotton underwear. Synthetic fabrics, by contrast, trap in moisture and create the perfect breeding ground for infection. If you are prone to UTIs, wear loose-fitting bottoms that allow air to circulate around the vagina. At night, you can either sleep without underwear or wear loose-fitting boxers or shorts.
Our Top, Most Recommended UTI Supplement To Both Prevent & Treat UTIs Naturally
UTRx is the only formulation available that contains 36 mg A-2 type PAC’s–Proanthocyanidins, D-Mannose, and Vitamin C.
Prevent UTI’s by tripling up your defense!
UTRx was formulated by Board-Certified Urologists to be the most effective UTI prevention blend available without a prescription.
UTRx is a proven urinary tract supplement that begins working with the very first dose – and effectively protects you from harmful bacteria that leads to painful UTIs.