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How Women can reduce Urinary Tract Infections
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As women, we are susceptible to a fairly common annoyance, urinary tract infections. As nurses, we all know our anatomy and why this is a problem.
Women are more prone to these infections during pregnancy and during our sexually active years. During pregnancy, we have the increased weight from the growing fetus that causes urine to be trapped thus increasing our chance of infection. Many people think drinking plenty of water will prevent you from getting UTI's. Obviously, drinking water is good for our bodies and good for our kidneys. But, does this increased water intake really help us avoid urinary tract infections altogether? The answer is, no. Don't get me wrong, drinking extra water helps your urinary tract stay well flushed, but bacteria can still live in a hydrated environment.
Having 7 children, I was one of those women who would get a UTI with each pregnancy and several more. One of these infections became pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization. Early in my career, I studied and became certified in childbirth education. I began researching this topic and others to help women live healthier, antibiotic free lives. What I learned through my studies was so simple, I could not believe I had not thought of it before. The secret is this; go potty immediately after any sexual relations, even if intercourse is not involved. If you think about it, a women's urethra is located very close to the vaginal opening. During sexual activity of any kind in which your partner is touching your genital area, as in foreplay, bacteria are left behind. During intercourse bacteria is basically forced into the urethra.
When you urinate, your urine being acid, kills and flushes the bacteria hanging around the urethra into the toilet. Like magic, no more bacteria! This only works if you urinate immediately after sex. I know what your thinking, you want to snuggle, have a cigarette, go to sleep or talk. It is your choice. How much do you enjoy those infections? It only takes a minute, run, potty and return to your partner. The longer you waut, the more time bacteria has to migrate and cause an infection.
I tried this many years ago myself, and I am happy to report I have not had a UTI in over 20 years. I have given this tip to thousands over the years. When I get letters back from patients this is one tip I get the most kudos for sharing. It works, try it yourself and see. With so many people facing different strains of bacteria and resistance becoming a huge problem, this tip can help you and your patients. One of my girlfriends is a Urologist, she told me years ago, she thought everyone knew this. Now she makes a point of telling her patients this tip as well.
