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5 Simple Ways To Prevent A UTI

Peeing flames? We have good news... - by Lucy Bode
  • 18 May 2018
5 Simple Ways To Prevent A UTI
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Unfortunately, thanks to the way our bits are designed, women are way more likely than men to get urinary tract infections on the reg (cheers, evolution!) And as those who’ve experienced one would agree - it’s not at all pleasant experience. Think: burning pain when you pee, back aches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness…the list of unsavoury symptoms goes on and on.

UTI’s occur when bacteria on the outside of the body (from the butt or vaja) finds its way into the urethra OR when bacteria that’s already in the bladder multiplies to unhealthy levels. The majority of us will contract a UTI multiple times during our lifetime (yay!), with sexual activity, certain types of birth control and menopause all increasing the risk.

That said, it doesn’t have to be an inevitability. Here are five simple steps you can take to help prevent a UTI:

RELATED: You’ve Probably Been Doing Your Pre-Sex Prep Wrong This Whole Time

1. Keep the fluids up

Water not only helps dilute your urine, it makes us pee more often, allowing any bacteria to be flushed from the system before an infection can take hold.

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2. Think twice about baths

Unless you are getting in and out of the tub quickly, you’re pretty much swimming in a sea of bath product and bacteria that’s been washed off your body.

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3. Change your toilet tactics

Wiping from to back (especially after a #2) helps stop rectal bacteria from spreading to places it shouldn’t be (aka, your urethra).

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4. Shower after a workout

Sweaty active wear (and wet swimsuits, for that matter) double as a breeding ground for bacteria, which means showering and changing your clothes should be priority.

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5. Pee after sex

Even if you don’t need to go, taking a wiz after sex is always a good idea. During the act, bacteria (from both you and your partner) can migrate to the urethra and then up to the bladder.

RELATED: What You Need To Know About Vitamin B12 Deficiency 

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6. Load up on probiotics

Fermented foods (like sauerkraut and yogurt) do more than aid digestion – they can also help populate good vaginal bacteria.

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7. Skip the synthetics

If your undies are super tight and not 100 per cent cotton, it can make things pretty moist downstairs, which is the perfect environment for bad bacteria to thrive.

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RELATED: 5 Unexpected Signs You're Not Getting Enough Vitamin D

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Lucy Bode
Lucy Bode
Lucy is Women Health’s digital editor, social media specialist and the go-to girl for all things holistic wellness. Her background as a journalist and passion for food, fitness and integrative medicine has led her to write for some of Australia’s leading publications over the course of her career.

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