Bladder infections

So it seems like every time I have sex I get a bladder (UTI) infection.  I have had 4 in the last couple months and they are a pain!  Is there something I'm doing wrong?  How can I prevent this?

Hygiene isn't a bad start...  It's not all that romantic but you should go to the bathroom and empty your bladder after you've had sex.   When you 'wipe' go from front to back rather than the other way.  Avoid using strong-smelling soaps, perfumes or deodorants in the gential area as they can cause irritation.   Drink plenty of fluids as a matter of course.  And always have some Cystitis sachets handy so that if you get a 'twinge' you can treat it before it becomes a problem.

Finally, if it happens again, go to see your doctor.   Repeated infections can be symptomatic of other medical problems and could mean you need a course of antibiotics. 

Also, make sure whoever it sticking it to you has good hygiene too.

I always got bladder infections when I used the sponge. They recommend you leave it for a few hours after intercourse and up to 24 hours, I think. I would just sleep it in and voila...bladder infection everytime.

Definitely go tinkle after sex and clean up. And yes, I believe they say if you get more than 3 infections in a year, you really should see your doc.

• Drink more water.
• Buy some dried cranberry pills (available in most stores in the health supplements section) the acidity makes the bladder less hospitable to buggies.
• Keep some cranberry juice in your fridge - the higher the actual % of cranberry the better.
• Ask your healthcare provider for an advanced supply of antibiotics. If youve had this many UTIs you know all the signs and symptoms, so some providers will trust you with antibiotics to keep at home.
• Post-sex hygiene: shower and pee.

When I got a UTI I cured it with cranberry pills and acidophilus capsules, you could try supplementing with those.

If you really do get a bladder infection EVERY time and you're sleeping with the same person and not four different guys, they could be a reservoir of infection even if they don't have any symptoms - so take THEM along to the doctor and get some antibiotics. Sex is very intimate body-to-body contact and the ideal opportunity for transfer of germies. DH's personal throat bacteria colony doesn't cause him any particular problems, but I still get a sore throat every time we're intimate after four years of marriage (and no, we're not doing it wrong! lol)

I haven't had a UTI or yeast infection in close to 24 years and I rarely pee after sex but I also never wear undies at night sleep in the nude and if you do wear undies as un sexy as they may be cotton is the best also just plain white cotton is preferable.- also don't wear tight slacks and such. 

I used to get UTI's and yeast infections when I was young due to the tight pants and undies but its best to be "comfortable" then always getting these inconviences.  I don't even get yeast infections when I take antibiotics.

Original Post by court2335:

So it seems like every time I have sex I get a bladder (UTI) infection.  I have had 4 in the last couple months and they are a pain!  Is there something I'm doing wrong?  How can I prevent this?

 This is actually called Honeymoon Cystitis.  If this is the only partner you have trouble with it might be him (there was reseach done at U of M about 9 years ago looking into partner transmitted UTI).  Otherwise you can try what everyone else suggested.  The research best supports cranberry juice as a preventative.  It seems to stop the adherance of the bacteria to the bladder lining but does not seem to work as well as a curative.  If you give up on natural remedies you can go on preventative antibiotics or you can take antibiotics only on the nights you have sex.   An Ob/Gyn would be your best bet, avoid non specialists for recurrent UTI's.

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Original Post by obrules15:

 This is actually called Honeymoon Cystitis.  If this is the only partner you have trouble with it might be him (there was reseach done at U of M about 9 years ago looking into partner transmitted UTI).  Otherwise you can try what everyone else suggested.  The research best supports cranberry juice as a preventative.  It seems to stop the adherance of the bacteria to the bladder lining but does not seem to work as well as a curative.  If you give up on natural remedies you can go on preventative antibiotics or you can take antibiotics only on the nights you have sex.   An Ob/Gyn would be your best bet, avoid non specialists for recurrent UTI's.

 Everyone has given great advice, but I want to caution you against using "preventative antibiotics" or taking them only when you are having sex.  Even if you never get another UTI again from taking them this way, you are more likely to put yourself in danger of getting other infections; ones that will be harder to get rid of.

When you take only a few antibiotics, and not a whole course of them, or when you aren't sick, you are killing off the good bacteria in your body (poor digestion and yeast infections could be in your future ) and you are killing only the weak bacteria that would be considered "bad".  You are leaving behind the strongest bacteria to breed and produce more strong bacteria.  You don't want to have only strong bacteria that is bad in your body.  They are very hard to get rid of and tend to mutate to become antibiotic resistant in generations  to come.  This is partly what has caused MRSA.

Good luck.  I have personally had success with a little cranberry juice (I use Cran-apple) each morning as a preventative. 

Original Post by jessicarm:

Original Post by obrules15:

 This is actually called Honeymoon Cystitis.  If this is the only partner you have trouble with it might be him (there was reseach done at U of M about 9 years ago looking into partner transmitted UTI).  Otherwise you can try what everyone else suggested.  The research best supports cranberry juice as a preventative.  It seems to stop the adherance of the bacteria to the bladder lining but does not seem to work as well as a curative.  If you give up on natural remedies you can go on preventative antibiotics or you can take antibiotics only on the nights you have sex.   An Ob/Gyn would be your best bet, avoid non specialists for recurrent UTI's.

 Everyone has given great advice, but I want to caution you against using "preventative antibiotics" or taking them only when you are having sex.  Even if you never get another UTI again from taking them this way, you are more likely to put yourself in danger of getting other infections; ones that will be harder to get rid of.

When you take only a few antibiotics, and not a whole course of them, or when you aren't sick, you are killing off the good bacteria in your body (poor digestion and yeast infections could be in your future ) and you are killing only the weak bacteria that would be considered "bad".  You are leaving behind the strongest bacteria to breed and produce more strong bacteria.  You don't want to have only strong bacteria that is bad in your body.  They are very hard to get rid of and tend to mutate to become antibiotic resistant in generations  to come.  This is partly what has caused MRSA.

Good luck.  I have personally had success with a little cranberry juice (I use Cran-apple) each morning as a preventative. 

 That is why the preferred antiobiotic that we use in these cases is macrodantin or macrobid.  It has very little systemic absorbtion and only works in cases of urinary tract infections.  Doesn't cause or work against MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureaus).  Really the all of these things are the reason to see your Ob/Gyn physician about this and only use forum advice to augment info.

It happens to lots of people, particularly with a new partner. You should definitely visit your doctor if you haven't already--UTIs, if left untreated, can easily become kidney infections or more serious infections. Home remedies often eliminate symptoms without ending the infection, so it's important to visit your doctor whenever you get a UTI. Also, it definitely helps to pee right after sex!