How Can I Prevent Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

Do you drink plenty of water (about 8 glasses of water a day)?

Do you urinate often?

Have you reduced your intake of fluids and food that can irritate you bladder, such as alcohol, lemon juice, caffeinated beverages and spicy food?

Do you maintain good personal hygiene by wiping from front to back after bowel movements?

Do you practice washing your genital area with warm water and soap before sex?

Do you practice urinating just before and after sex?

If you are a woman, do you avoid douching and using scented feminine hygiene products (deodorant sprays, scented powders, scented pads or tampons)?

If you are a woman, do you often change pads and tampons during your menstrual cycle?

If you are a woman, have you tried to change your birth control and use water-based lubricants during sex?

Based on your answers, there are several other ways that can help you prevent urinary tract infection. You should drink plenty of fluids to promote urination and eliminate bacteria from your urinary tract. It is recommended to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, but be sure to reduce your intake of fluids that could irritate the bladder, such as alcohol, and caffeinated beverages. Practicing good personal hygiene is very important. Bacteria can often be found around your anus, so it is important to wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. Also, women should change their pads and tampons frequently during the menstrual cycle.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about how to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI). You can wash your genital area with warm water and soap before sex to prevent bacteria from entering the urethra. Also, urinating after sex will eliminate all the bacteria that you have entered during intercourse. Women should avoid douching, and using scented feminine hygiene products. You could change your birth control because sometimes a diaphragm or spermicide can contribute to the growth of bacteria and frequent UTI. You can try using water-based lubricants during sex. In post-menopausal women, the doctor may suggest a vaginal cream that contains estrogen.