Your Guide to Preventing UTIs

If you’ve never heard of a UTI (i.e. a Urinary Tract Infection)- this blog post is for you. And for those who are familiar with this persistent and annoying infection- this blog post is definitely for you! Before we dive into some tried and tested methods to prevent getting a UTI, let’s find out a little about what UTIs are. 

• A Urinary Tract Infection is a bacterial infection that occurs in your urinary system. Specifically, the urethra (the opening for urine). In some cases, this infection can even spread to the kidney. 
• UTIs are more common in women than in men. This is, for the most part, because of our anatomy. The urethra in females is close to the vaginal opening, as well as the anus- both of which house potentially harmful bacteria.
• Women are also more susceptible to get multiple UTIs, one after another. 
• The symptoms of UTIs can be painful and disruptive to our daily lives. Some of the most common ones include: 
• Frequent urination, accompanied by a burning sensation when peeing
• Urine appears cloudy, reddish, or has a strong smell
• Pain in the lower pelvic area
  

While UTIs are common and sometimes persistent, there are things you can do that can help you prevent them. These are small lifestyle changes that can go a long way in helping you keep your bladder and urinary system happy and healthy.

1. Hydrate yourself!

If you’re reading this, go grab a glass of water now! In all seriousness, a small action as drinking more water can go a long way in protecting you from UTIs. The idea here is that more water will lead to frequent urination, which flushes out the bad bacteria from your system.

2. Urinate often (And especially after Intercourse!)

Holding your pee for a long amount of time leads to more growth of bacteria down there- a thing we need to avoid at all costs. Similarly, intercourse or any other sexual acts also introduce new bacteria to your system. It is best to urinate right after so that you can prevent the bacteria from developing into an infection.

3. Don’t Use Harsh Soaps!

If you don’t already know, the vagina hosts a variety of bacteria that maintains a healthy pH level in your system. Using harsh, scented soaps to “clean” your genitals is something you should definitely avoid!

4. Consume More Probiotics! (And some yummy Cranberries too!)

Probiotics are known to help the aforementioned vaginal bacteria bloom so that your pH level stays balanced. Having some healthy probiotic yogurt is a great addition to your daily life! Also, a well-known home remedy to prevent UTIs are none other than cranberries. While not all scientific data supports this theory, having some yummy cranberries can surely do no harm :)