5 Tips For Preventing Recurring UTIs

If you have frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), you may do almost anything to prevent that burning sensation and the constant urge to go. Genetics may be partly responsible for your recurring UTIs, but there are a few things you can do that may help prevent the frequency of your infections.

At Chicago Center for Women’s Health, based in Oak Lawn, IL, and serving Chicago and the Chicagoland area, including Chicago Ridge, Burbank, Blue Island, Palos Hills, and Palos Heights, Dr. Denise Molina Furlong and our team provide expert medical care for recurrent UTIs. 

We know how disruptive recurring UTIs are to your daily life, so we make it as easy as possible for you to get prompt and attentive treatment. Here, we want to share some tips that may help prevent future UTIs.

Stay well hydrated

UTIs are most often caused by bacteria that enter the urinary system through the urethra, the tube that carries urine from your bladder outside the body. UTIs are more common in women than men because women have a much shorter urethra.

Staying well-hydrated dilutes your urine and assists in flushing out bacteria before they might have a chance to grow. Fluid needs vary, but you should try to drink 12-16 cups of water a day. 

Remember when increasing water to add electrolytes to avoid a condition called hyponatremia. This is when your sodium decreases and confusion, dizziness, and loss of balance can occur.

Don’t hold in your urine

We know it’s not always convenient to go to the bathroom, but you don’t want to hold in your urine for too long if you’re trying to prevent UTIs. You want to flush out the bacteria so it doesn’t have a chance to turn into a serious infection.

Urinating every two hours is normal. Up to eight times a day or once at night are also normal.

Empty your bladder after sex

Sexual intercourse is one of the most common causes of recurring UTIs in women. Emptying your bladder after having sex is a good practice as it might prevent infection. 

Wipe from front to back

Some of the bacteria from your bowel live around the skin of the anus. In order to avoid transferring the bacteria from the anus to the urethra, we recommend wiping from front to back. This is especially important after a bowel movement. 

Limit use of genital products

Genital deodorizers, douches, and scented powders cause more problems than they solve. These products tend to irritate the delicate skin, increasing your risk of irritation, inflammation, and infection. It’s best to avoid, or at least limit, their use if you want to prevent UTIs.

Soap and water are the best ways to keep this part of your body clean. 

When you have a UTI, antibiotics can quickly clear up the infection. If you have frequent UTIs, we may recommend a course of low-dose antibiotics to reduce your risk of recurrence. Following the steps mentioned above can help, too.

Don’t ignore your UTI symptoms. If you suffer from recurrent UTIs, we can help. If you experience bleeding with (or without) an infection it could be a sign of an underlying issue and should always be evaluated by a medical doctor. Call or request an appointment online today.