How to Keep UTIs From Zapping Your Mojo

Have you ever had a UTI (urinary tract infection)? If so, you’re probably cringing right now, tempted to cross your legs and hold your pee-pee in with both hands like a little girl who really has to go. Anyone who has experienced it knows that UTIs totally zap your mojo, and since they affect about 8-10 million Pinkies per year, chances are we’ve all been there. Here is the skinny from this end of the stirrups on that sinister, mojo-burgling coochie invader.

How do I know if I have a UTI?

The most common UTI symptoms include urinary frequency (you feel like you have to go, even when you just emptied your bladder), dysuria (burning when you urinate), and hematuria (blood in the urine). UTIs that ascend to the kidney to cause pyelonephritis can cause fever, back pain, and sometimes nausea/vomiting.

What causes UTIs?

A UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, which is normally sterile. The most common bug to cause a UTI is Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria that normally lives in the bowel. A variety of things can cause this bowel bacteria to climb up the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside world, where the pee comes out). If E. coli or other bowel bacteria gets into your bladder, it can grow and wreak havoc.

I get UTIs all the time. Why does that happen?

Most people get UTIs rarely, if at all. If you get them frequently, see your doctor to make sure there are no anatomical defects or health conditions, such congenital defects in the urinary tract or diabetes, that predispose you to UTIs. If that’s ruled out, it may be that your sex life is the culprit. Most often, UTIs are precipitated by bouts of frequent intercourse (we docs call it honeymoon cystitis.) Certain sexual positions and behaviors can increase the risk of bacteria from the bowel making its way into the urinary tract. Do you notice that you only get UTIs when you’re in a relationship and having sex frequently? Do certain positions always result in UTIs? If so, you may want to take preventative measures to keep you from running to the potty all the time.

Next: What can I do to prevent frequent UTIs?

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Read more: General Health, Gynecology, Love, Sex, Women's Health, dysuria, e. coli, escherichia coli, gynecologist, hematuria, interstitial cystitis, ob/gyn, pretty pink pussy tour, pyelonephritis, urethra, urinary frequency, urinary tract infection, UTI, uti symptoms, women's health

Alicia N.

9:34PM PDT on Jul 31, 2010

Very interesting tips my dear, thanks for sharing. I'll be buying cranberry tablets, just in case.

send a green star

Deb S.

8:53AM PDT on Jul 30, 2010

Condoms! My partner and I stopped using condoms and began using an alternate form of birth control and haven't had a UTI since.

Linda J.

4:34PM PDT on Jul 27, 2010

I use to suffer alot from UTIs before I was camping out for long periods of time. Then I realized after going back home/to work, I was getting them from drinking alot of coffee. Occasionally I got one after sex w/ a new guy. Antibiotics could end up making you more prone to the infections, as it destroys the immune system.
It is possible to get sugar free cranberry juice. Watermelon, just watermelon, is good for the kidneys too.
Once my UTI went into my kidneys, I was treated w/ aduki/azuki beans and miso soup. It was the sickest I ever was in my life but after that soup I felt all better. Now I do limit my coffee intake and try to drink plenty of water as well.

Alex R.

12:20PM PDT on Jul 26, 2010

E.Coli is the cause of UTI's and bladder infections in 90% of cases. Ditch the antibiotics as they will also kill off beneficial bugs that are busy fighting against infection already!

D-MANNOSE is the best choice for treating this condition. It's a type of natural sugar already present in the urinary tract although not in enough of a concentration to eliminate the infection causing bacteria. It's really a neat process that virtually flushes it out of your system...SAFELY! Good Luck.

Mike and Janis B.

6:42AM PDT on Jul 26, 2010

A cup of Black River cranberry juice has very little sugar in it about 13g or .5oz. Keep UTIs away with a tablespoon of the neat juice 2-3 times a week. Admittedly it tastes a bit tart but, by golly, it does you good.

Chantellerenee V.

7:28PM PDT on Jul 25, 2010

Kay..
Not only soap, but bubble bath. I use to buy Mr Bubble for my Daughter and it lead to such misery for her. The first questin the Doctor asked was if the soap she used had a fragrance. At the time we were using Dove but we had been for over 3 years, so that couldn't be it. He then hit the nail right on the head when he said two words( bubble bath). Her Doctor said hundreds of children, mostly girls, but some boys too got uti's. Something Mommys innocently bought so their kids could have fun in a tub full of bubbles and it lead to their pain instead. So everyone who uses bubble bath products, keep a sharp eye out for what you splash about in, it could give you the dreaded UTI!!! Or better yet, shower. If this help just one child, it would be stupendous!!!!!

Edwin K.

5:45AM PDT on Jul 25, 2010

Practicing good personal hygiene is a positive step in preventing urinary tract infections.

Margaret D.

5:40AM PDT on Jul 25, 2010

Cranberry tablets are actually better than the juice, because they are a higher concentrate. I have had kidney problems since I was a kid and now get occasional stones, which often lead to a UTI. I swear by the cranberry juice. It has a lot to do with the acids in it.

Pamela H.

8:22PM PDT on Jul 24, 2010

Just a quick note on that other invader, thrush (fungal infection). Men can be carriers of this without being aware they have it. He may only have a few small red itchy patches on his thighs, groin or torso; or he may have an itchy bottom not realising what the cause is. If you find that you're contracting thrush every time you have intercourse with your partner then it's time to get him along to the drs for a checkup.

8:03PM PDT on Jul 24, 2010

Even though there's nothing funny about having a UTI, I can't help but see the funny side. If you don't know your (new) partner very well it could take the shine off the romance when you say "let's go wash our bottoms with soap first". :D