How Can We Reduce Our Risk
Whilst UTIs are common and relatively treatable, Dr Lakhani warns: UTIs can make you feel very poorly very quickly. If you have a fever, experience shaking or chills or are sick or have blood in your urine, you need to see a GP immediately as it could mean you have a kidney infection.
Sandhu suggests a multi-pronged approach to reduce the risk of developing a UTI, including not using when youre suffering and weeing as soon you can after sex. And definitely no sex if you have a UTI.
Dr Lakhani agrees, adding: UTIs do respond well to antibiotics, but it can take a few days for symptoms to ease. I advise patients to drink plenty of water to wash the infection out and staying hydrated is key. Dont hold your urine in as it can make the infection worse. Its always good idea to improve your immune system and take a vitamin C supplement.
And not a single mention of cranberry juice.
Uti Tests And Diagnosis
If you suspect that you have a urinary tract infection, go to the doctor. Youll give a urine sample to test for UTI-causing bacteria.
If you get frequent UTIs and your doctor suspects a problem in your urinary tract, they might take a closer look with an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI scan. They might also use a long, flexible tube called a cystoscope to look inside your urethra and bladder.
Are There Any Benefits To Having Sex On Your Period
Having sex on your period actually has lots of benefits. Firstly, menstrual blood acts as a lubricant, and there are a myriad of health benefits linked to sex on your period. Having period sex can actually help with period cramps, migraine relief, increase sex drive, and even potentially shorten your period. Given these benefits, isnât it a shame that society has raised women to think that period sex isnât the norm?
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Other Risk Factors Of Uti After Sex
For men, anyone who has not been circumcised may be at greater risk of urinary tract infections as bacteria has a greater chance of building up. It is rare for men younger than 50 years old to contract a UTI, the chance of UTI in men goes up as men get older.
Other risk factors specific to women that could make them more susceptible to developing a UTI after sex include:
What Are The Possible Side Effects
The biggest downside to having sex during your period is the mess. Blood can get on you, your partner, and the sheets, especially if you have a heavy flow. Aside from dirtying the bed, bleeding may make you feel self-conscious. Anxiety over making a mess can take some or all of the fun out of sex.
Another worry about having sex during your period is the risk of passing on a sexually transmitted infection like HIV or hepatitis. These viruses live in blood, and they can spread through contact with infected menstrual blood. Using condoms every time you have sex can reduce your risk of spreading or catching an STI.
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Can Sex Make A Uti Worse
If you already have a UTI, having sex can make the infection feel worse, exacerbating the symptoms. Using spermicides can increase discomfort because it can cause irritation. Using non-lubricated latex condoms can also increase friction leading to irritation. Using a water-based lubricant or lubricated condoms will help avoid making your UTI feel more irritated. After and before sex, be sure to urinate immediately to flush out the bacteria.
Urinary Tract Infection Signs
Nothing can guarantee you wont get a bladder infection after sex, but the above along with staying hydrated all the time can help. If you suspect you have a UTI, get medical help right away. This prevents the UTI from getting too severe and making its way up to your kidneys. Signs of a UTI include
- Burning urination
A general feeling of illness can also accompany a UTI, especially if you have a severe bladder infection. In severe cases and as we said above, the infection can travel up the urethra into the bladder and then up into your kidneys. In this case, you may also experience back pain and disorientation or confusion.
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Youve Got Cramps But No Pms
Abdominal cramping and pain are other symptoms of a UTI. However, a lot of women mistake them for PMS cramps, low-back issues, or even muscle soreness from overdoing deadlifts at the gym, Ross says.
Dont fall for it! This is one symptom you should definitely pay attention to, especially if the pain increases over time, is sharp and localized to your lower back, or is accompanied by a fever, she says. This may indicate that the infection has moved up into your kidneys, a potentially serious complication that can land you in the hospital.
You might describe this type of pain might be described as pressure down there, Conway notes. Like Ross, Conway says its important to seek treatment immediately if this type of pain migrates to your back or you spike a fever.
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When To See A Doctor
If left untreated, a UTI could lead to a bladder infection or kidney infection. Its important to speak to a healthcare provider for professional medical advice if you think you have a UTI. Symptoms such as a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination or urge to urinate, or cramps in your lower abdomen could indicate an infection.
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All You Need To Know About Having Sex During Your Period
If you do plan on giving it a try, or are even a little bit curious, let us tell you its really not so hard and can actually be a lot of fun.
Firstly, lets establish that sex during periods isnt everyones cup of tea. There are all kinds of women out there some who enjoy it even more than regular sex, others whove never tried it and dont even want to, and some whove tried and decided they never want a repeat performance. Its the same way with men some of them arent bothered by period blood while others dont like the idea of it. All of these are individual preferences and theyre all completely normal. So while sex during periods is possible, if you dont want to do it then you should refuse to partake even if your partner wants to try it.
If you do plan on giving it a try, or are even a little bit curious, let us tell you its really not so hard and can actually be a lot of fun. It can help to be prepared for the first time, though, and not just do it spontaneously. Heres all you need to know about having sex during periods:
Can Pms Make You Pee A Lot
Peer Answer: I havent run into the issue of peeing more than normal when I have PMS. Unfortunately, I have experienced the symptoms of a bladder infection. Im not sure whether or not your peeing a lot is related
This is not intended to be medical advice. Everybody is different so please make sure to consult your physician if youre having issues. Do not delay or refrain from seeking professional medical advice from your physician because of something you have read on this site.
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Yeou Can Still Get Pregnant
People with regular 28-day cycles are less likely to ovulate around their period , but you’re not made invincible by a bit of blood. There are many reported cases of ovulation happening close to menstruation and, because sperm can live up to seven days, it is actually possible to get pregnant during your period. So if you’re having sex with men or people with penises, bear that in mind.
Can You Test For A Uti On Your Period
Unfortunately, at-home UTI tests such as Utiva’s UTI Diagnostic Test Strips are not recommended for use due to traces of menses within the urine can produce a false positive WBC result. If you believe that you are suffering from a UTI during your period, please contact your doctor.
To find out more about UTIs, visit www.utivahealth.com. Utiva Cranberry PACs supplementsare clinically proven and medically recommended to be part of a safe, natural, drug-free daily regime to maintain a healthy urinary tract and protect against UTIs.
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You Have No Symptoms At All
Sometimes a UTI may show very minor symptoms or no symptoms at all, Ross says. This is one reason why she advises women to still have regular checkups with their gynecologists even if theyre not in need of a Pap smear.
Regular pelvic exams can help diagnose urinary tract infections before they cause detectable issues, she says. Ideally, you should have one per year.
What Is Honeymoon Cystitis
Honeymoon cystitis is a type of urinary tract infection. Cystitis is the medical term for an infection in the bladder that can cause pressure and cramping in the lower abdomen and burning urination, as well as difficulty urinating and no fever. Usually, the lining of the urethra and bladder becomes inflamed and irritated.
This can make someone more susceptible to an infection, as irritated tissues help create an environment where bacteria can linger and thrive. The term was coined because couples can have frequent sex in a short span of time during their honeymoon or women had their first intercourse in their life or after longer abstinence.
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Gross Things Women Have To Deal With During Our Periods
Why Am I Bleeding After Sex
Youâve just finished having sex with your partner, when you look down and see blood on the sheets. You donât have your period and arenât supposed to get it anytime soon, so what gives?
While vaginal bleeding after sex can be scary, itâs also fairly common. It affects up to 9% of menstruating women. Thereâs probably no cause for concern. But it can also result from an infection. In rare cases, it’s a sign of cervical cancer.
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Can You Get Pregnant
If you arent actively trying to conceive, using protection is a good idea, no matter what part of your menstrual cycle youre in. Your odds of conceiving are lower during your period, but its still possible to become pregnant at this time.
Youre most likely to get pregnant during ovulation, which happens about 14 days before your period starts. Yet every womans cycle length is different, and your cycle length can change monthly. If you have a short menstrual cycle, your risk of getting pregnant during your period is higher.
Also consider that sperm can stay alive in your body for up to seven days. So, if you have a 22-day cycle and you ovulate soon after getting your period, theres a chance youll be releasing an egg while sperm are still in your reproductive tract.
Can A Uti Affect Your Period
According to some estimates, 50-60% of women will develop at least one urinary tract infection within their lifetime, making it one of the most common medical conditions in the country.
A UTI develops when bacteria, usually E. coli, travels from the skin or rectum into your urethra.
Under normal circumstances, your immune system can fend off invaders like this, but when those defenses fail, the bacteria multiply, becoming an infection that adversely impacts one or more parts of your urinary tract.
When left untreated, a UTI can develop into a bladder infection or impact your ureters. In rarer, more severe cases, it can become a kidney infection or travel into your bloodstream.
Because women have urinary tracts separate from their reproductive organs, a urinary tract infection will never adversely affect menstruation or ovulation.
There is a relationship between UTIs and sexual health, but a UTI will never directly cause you to develop irregular periods, experience a late period, or miss a period all together.
UTIs can be dangerous if they are left untreated. If you believe you have a urinary tract infection or have questions about your menstrual cycle, seek medical advice from a gynecologist or another health care provider.
They can take a urine sample, discuss your symptoms, and recommend treatment options that will help address your discomfort and improve your health and wellbeing.
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Can You Mistake Ovarian Cysts For A Uti
A urinary tract infection, more often shortened to UTI, is an infection that can involve any single element of the urinary tract, or all of it. While it is known that almost all women have a urinary tract infection almost once in their lives, many are plagued by recurrent infections that have a significant impact on their quality of life. It is especially frustrating when you receive treatment for a UTI, only for the symptoms to return soon after. In these cases, you may wonder if you have an ovarian cyst instead, especially after searching the web for possible causes of your symptoms.
The urinary tract is composed of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and also the kidneys. A simple UTI is an infection that only affects the urethra and bladder, while a complex urinary tract infection has reached the kidneys. Once the kidneys are subject to an infection, the pain and severity become more urgent. If left untreated, the infection may spread to the blood. That condition is called sepsis and is a full-blown medical emergency.
How E Coli Can Travel To Your Urethra
Its pretty natural for E.coli to ascend toward your urethra, but some habits may promote infection with the pathogenic bacteria.
- Wiping from back to front: The more you expose your genitals to fecal matter the higher the chances to infect yourself. Wipe front to back instead.
- Toilet water backsplash. Stay away from it.
- Using a bidet that sprays water from back to front. Use the one with a de-attachable handle instead.
- Lastly, UTIs can also be caused by sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea or chlamydia. When a UTI is caused by an STD, the infection is most often only in the urethra, not the bladder. However, the symptoms are often similar and difficult to distinguish. If you dont have a UTI and think it may be an STD, get tested.
In closing, remember:
- E. coli is a part of normal bacterial flora in the intestines, rectum, and human poop.
- It is easy for E. coli to travel to your vaginal opening. From there, especially during sex-play, E.coli can travel toward your urethra.
- You can use special probiotics to help keep your vaginal flora in balance.
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But If You Do Your Baby Won’t Have Red Hair Just Because You Conceived During Your Period
FFS. We don’t even know how this is still a myth, but let’s clear it up anyway – while a red-headed sproglet is still a possibility if you conceive during your period, it’s deffo no more likely than if you conceived when you were period free. Rumours of this started in the Middle Ages, when it was a widely believed notion that ginger children were a result of copulation during menstruation, but it’s total nonsense, in case you were wondering.
How To Treat Utis
If you think you have a UTI, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your OBGYN or primary care physician. Many women will try to self-treat it, or worse, just hope it goes away on its own. And while some minor UTIs do go away on their own, its best to see a doctor and have them diagnose and treat it as the infection can spread to other parts of your body and be dangerous.
Your doctor will take a urine sample which will allow them to diagnose it right then and there, meaning youll leave the office with an answer and a solution! Well choose an antibiotic based on the type of bacteria you have, taking into account other factors like pregnancy, allergies, other medications, and medical history. Now all you have to do is take the full cycle of treatment to make sure the infection is completely gone.
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