Bathroom Habits and UTIs
Bathroom Habits and UTIs
It’s not the sexiest conversation. No one wants to begin date night by discussing their toileting routine, any more than you’d want to bring up a sexually transmitted infection (STI) at the dinner table. But for your best sexual health while maintaining hygiene, it’s important to consider how to balance your sexual activity with a trip to the loo. Let’s dive into how you can avoid urinary tract infections (UTI).
How to Avoid UTIs After Sex
Although there is no clinical evidence to support urinating before and/or after sex will prevent a UTI, health care providers may recommend such particularly for women prone to UTIs. Women have a shorter urethra than men. During intercourse bacteria may enter the female urthera, and the close proximity of the urethra to the anus can make it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder and cause a UTI. The rationale for peeing after intercourse is to flush bacteria out of the urethra and makes more intuitive sense than peeing before sex. There is no recommended time to pee after having sex, although some sources suggest peeing within 30 minutes after sexual intercourse. Finally, If your bladder is full after sex, don't hold it in, go and pee!
- Scenario 1: You experience UTIs frequently. The best course in this situation is to pee before and after sex.
- Scenario 2: You infrequently or never experience UTIs, but your bladder is full. Please don’t hold it: pee before sex, and again within an hour of sex.
- Scenario 3: You infrequently or never experience UTIs and your bladder is not full. Feel free to skip peeing before sex but give it a go afterwards.
Remember that just because you want to avoid UTIs (for good reason) doesn’t mean you need to sprint to the toilet without even so much as a cuddle. If you don’t have the urge to go immediately, within the hour is a good general guideline, as the sooner you pee the sooner you are flushing out bacteria.
Freshen Up Your Intimate Areas with Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes
An additional reason you might want to head to the bathroom before sex? It will give you that all important moment to freshen up. Our top tip for feeling like your best self? Try slipping a pack of Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes into your bag alongside your safety method of choice. These intimate Flushable Wipes are infused with the gentle cleaning power of water and unique CleaningRipples™ to leave you feeling your most confident. Made with plant based fibers, Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes are made for a worry-free flush, because we know you don’t need anything else to worry about! What’s more, they’re also plastic free wipes, are free of parabens, alcohol, and harsh chemicals so you can safely get a freshness boost wherever you are.
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