How to Prevent (Another) Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections can be disruptive, painful, and even pose a threat of complications. If you’re experiencing recurring UTIs, you need to find out why. Antibiotics can become less effective over time, which is why it’s important to determine the root cause of your UTIs and cut down on risk factors as much as possible. 

At NY Midtown OB/GYN in Manhattan and Westchester, New York, our team of experts can help you figure out why you keep getting UTIs, and help you avoid having more in the future. 

Diagnosing recurring UTIs 

Infections are never pleasant, but urinary tract infections are a special kind of torment. The pain disrupts every hour of the day, bathroom breaks become more and more frequent, and there’s always the risk that the infection could spread to your bladder or kidneys. 

Most of the time, the solution is a trip to the doctor and a round of antibiotics. For your first or second UTI, this might be sufficient. However, recurring infections can indicate a deeper problem.

To prevent future infections, you need to identify what puts you at risk and limit these things as much as possible.

Preventing future infections

Generally speaking, there are three golden rules to help prevent UTIs. 

1. Always wipe front to back

Women are more prone to UTIs due to their anatomy. The urethra is placed close to the anus, making it easy for opportunistic bacteria like E. coli to infect the urinary tract. To prevent the spread of bacteria, always wipe front to back after going to the restroom. 

2. Make sure your sexual partner and/or toys are clean

It’s not unusual for women to experience UTIs after becoming sexually active with a new partner. You can reduce risk by showering before sex and asking your partner to do the same. If you use toys, make sure they’re freshly washed and disinfected before every use. 

3. Try to pee after sex 

You’ve likely heard this before, but you might not know why. Urination immediately after sex clears the urinary tract, flushing out germs that would otherwise sit in the urethra, irritating the sensitive tissue and eventually causing infection.  

Most run-of-the-mill UTIs can be prevented by following these tips. If you are undergoing menopause or use a catheter, you might need to consult a specialist about how to best avoid urinary tract infections. 

If you’re experiencing recurring or chronic UTIs, preventative antibiotic therapy might be necessary. These are antibiotics taken during periods of high stress or after sex, preventing an infection. This route should only be taken on the advice of your gynecologist, as overuse of antibiotics can make recurring infections less susceptible to medication.

To learn more about urinary tract infections and how to prevent them, schedule a consultation with the team at NY Midtown OB/GYN by calling 646-292-3030, or book an appointment online.