5 Ways to Prevent UTIs

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of (no great surprise) your urinary system. It can affect the urethra, ureters, kidneys, or bladder.

Urine is a byproduct of the kidneys’ blood-filtering system. The kidneys produce urine when they remove waste products and excess water from your blood. 

Normally, urine moves through your urinary system without any contamination. However, sometimes bacteria can get into the system, leading to a UTI.

At Mercy Medical Urgent Care, Dr. Bilal Khoder and our staff treat urinary tract infections in people of all genders, although the condition is more common in women.

Fortunately, you can prevent UTIs from developing in the first place. We’d like to highlight five tips here.

What causes UTIs, and how common are they?

Microorganisms — usually bacteria — cause UTIs. They typically enter the body through the urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) and may infect the bladder. 

The infection can also travel up from the bladder through the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and infect your kidneys.

1. coli causes more than 90% of bladder infections. This type of bacteria normally resides in your large intestine.

UTIs are common, especially if you have a vagina. That’s because the urethra in people assigned female at birth is shorter and closer to the anus (where the intestines empty) than in people assigned male at birth, making it easier for the E.coli to spread. 

All told, healthcare providers treat 8-10 million people each year for UTIs.

The best thing to do for a UTI is to seek medical attention. You will most likely need antibiotics to treat the infection. Our team selects an antibiotic that works best against the type of bacteria responsible for your infection.

If you get an antibiotic prescription, it’s important to follow the directions for taking it. Take the full course, even if your symptoms diminish and you start feeling better. If you don’t finish it all, the infection can return and be more challenging to treat.

5 ways to prevent UTIs

The following lifestyle changes can help prevent urinary tract infections:

1. Practice good hygiene

Practicing good hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent UTIs, especially if you have a vagina. The urethra is much shorter in those assigned female at birth, making it easier for E. coli to move from the rectum back into your body. Always wiping from front to back after a bowel movement helps you avoid this.

During your menstrual cycle, it’s important to regularly change your period products, including pads and tampons, so they don’t become infected. Avoid using any deodorants on your vagina.

2. Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking lots of fluids — especially water — helps flush bacteria from your urinary tract. Healthcare providers generally recommend 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water daily.

3. Change your peeing habits

Peeing plays a significant role in eliminating bacteria from your body. Every time you empty your bladder, you help remove the waste products contained in your urine from your body so the bacteria have nothing to feed on. Peeing frequently reduces the risk of infection, especially if you often get UTIs.

Also, try to pee right before and right after having sex. Intercourse can introduce bacteria to your urethra. Peeing before and after helps flush them out. If you can’t pee, wash the genitals with warm water.

4. Change your birth control

If you use a diaphragm for birth control, it may increase your risk of developing a UTI. Talk to Dr. Khoder about other birth control options.

5. Change your clothing

Tight-fitting clothing creates a moist environment because it promotes sweating, and the moisture supports bacterial growth. Loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear will help you prevent moisture from accumulating around your urethra.

Bonus tip: Use vaginal creams

If you’re postmenopausal, we may suggest a vaginal cream containing estrogen to help with lubrication and sensation during sex. However, these creams can also help reduce your risk of developing a UTI by changing the pH of your vagina. Talk to us about a cream if you’re postmenopausal and get a lot of UTIs.

Some people find that over-the-counter supplements such as cranberry extract and probiotics help prevent UTIs. Always speak with our team before starting any supplement.

Think you may have a UTI? Mercy Medical Urgent Care can do a rapid test to find out. We’re open seven days a week. Walk in, or give us a call at 386-758-2944 to schedule.