5 Tips for Preventing a UTI

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, disrupts your daily life and may require urgent care if your symptoms are severe. 

Our medical team at Mederi Urgent Care in Los Angeles, California, can promptly diagnose and treat your UTI so you can return to your daily activities. We also provide comprehensive primary care for your other health care needs. 

The following are common reasons for UTIs and steps to prevent them. 

Why did you get a UTI? 

Bacteria cause UTIs. Your urethra, the tube through which you pass urine, is in the same general area as your anus. It’s a warm, moist environment where bacteria easily grow. 

Hygiene

Bacteria can enter a woman’s urethra from the anus when she wipes herself after going to the bathroom. Always wipe from front to back to help avoid UTIs. 

Sexual intercourse 

The friction from sexual intercourse can allow bacteria from your genital and anal area to enter your urethra. Even if you’re tempted to go to sleep after intimate time with your partner, as a woman, wash the area gently with soap and water after sex. 

Anatomy

Women can get UTIs even if they’re careful. The female anatomy differs from that of a man in that the urethra is closer to the anus. 

Advancing age 

Men and women are at greater risk with age. A man’s risk might be higher if he has an enlarged prostate that interferes with emptying the bladder. A woman’s risk increases since menopause causes estrogen levels to drop and vaginal tissue to thin. It’s easier for bacteria to enter. 

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions place you at higher risk of a UTI. Women and men with conditions such as diabetes, kidney stones, and immune disorders are more likely to contract UTIs. 

Symptoms of a UTI

UTIs cause discomfort. You’re likely to experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
• Passing small amounts of urine
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Persistent urge to urinate
• Feeling as if you didn’t empty your bladder

UTIs occasionally resolve on their own, but antibiotics are needed in most cases to clear up the infection. 

Preventing UTIs

Here are five tips to lower your risk of a UTI: 

1. Hydrate

Drinking water throughout the day flushes bacteria out of your body. Staying hydrated is a simple yet powerful way to combat recurrent UTIs. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate your bladder.

2. Don’t hold your bladder

Don’t wait if you need to urinate. Waiting encourages bacteria growth. 

3. Use natural hygiene products

Washing your genital area with mild soap and water is all you need to keep yourself fresh. Avoid feminine hygiene products made with chemicals and scents. You don’t need them. 

4. Learn which contraceptive options may increase your risk

Do you use a diaphragm for birth control? It can increase your risk of a UTI. If you use barrier contraceptives and have recurrent UTIs, talk to your Mederi Urgent Care physician about other options to lower the chances of a UTI. You may need to change your birth control method. 

5. Use good hygiene

Choose cotton underwear instead of synthetic underwear, which can hold in heat. Avoid tight pants, which can cause bacteria to move into the area of your urethra. 

Call Mederi Urgent Care if you have UTI symptoms or book online for nonurgent primary care.