Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect nearly 50% of all women. Anywhere from 12-20% of men get one at some point. These infections are prevalent and can be very painful.

Unfortunately, sexual intercourse can cause UTIs. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to prevent UTIs from occurring. This article will explore the link between sex and UTIs. It will also detail ways to prevent infections and treat them quickly.

Can I Get a UTI From Sex?

Sexual activity is a common cause of UTIs, especially in young men and women. UTIs are not sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are bacterial infections usually caused by the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium.

There are several reasons why sexual activity can result in a urinary tract infection.

Sex-related risk factors for a UTI include:

1. Sexual intercourse: The thrusting motion of sexual intercourse can push bacteria that live around the rectum toward the urethra. This can increase the risk of bacteria entering the body and causing an infection. Intercourse can also lead to chafing of the genital area. This irritation can increase the risk of infection. It’s important to note that penetrative sex is not the only cause of UTIs. Oral and manual sex can also introduce harmful bacteria to the opening of the urethra, leading to infection.

2. Birth control: Certain contraceptives, like diaphragms and lubricants with spermicide, increase the risk of UTIs. Diaphragms push against the urethra, causing urine to become trapped in the bladder. When this occurs, bacteria can populate, leading to an infection. Spermicides (often found in lubricants and on condoms) can change the bacterial balance of the genital area, making it open to infection.

3. Anal sex: Anal sex can introduce bacteria from the anus to the genital area. This can lead to urinary tract infections. Men who have anal sex are at greater risk for developing UTIs (even though these infections are rare in men) for this reason.

4. Sexually transmitted infections: Urinary tract infections are NOT sexually transmitted infections. However, STIs can increase your risk of developing UTIs. Diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can affect your urinary system while weakening your immune system. These side effects can increase your risk for UTIs and other infections.

A UTI is not a sexually transmitted infection. While sexual activity can cause bacteria to enter the body and infect the urinary tract, sex itself won’t lead to transmission.

Other UTI Risk Factors

Aside from sex, common risk factors for UTIs include:

1. Gender: Women are more likely to develop a UTI than men due to their anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra, making it easier for bacteria to enter the body and the bladder. The opening of the urethra is also closer to the anus in women. This increases the risk that bacteria move from the anus into the urethra (especially during sex).

2. Age: Older adults are at greater risk of developing UTIs. A decline in estrogen in women after menopause can cause changes in the urinary tract, which can increase the risk of developing UTIs. In men, an enlarged prostate can lead to bacterial build-up and infection. Kidney stones also cause blockage problems in urinary flow and increase the risk of UTIs.

3. A weakened immune system: Individuals with a weakened immune system are at greater risk for developing recurrent UTIs. The body cannot defend itself against germs, making it vulnerable to infection.
   
   

UTI Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a UTI vary depending on how bad the infection is and where it occurs in the body. Different types of infections may cause various symptoms, and symptoms may also vary for men and women.

The most common types of UTIs are:

• Urethral infections (urethritis)
  
• Ureter infections (ureteritis)
  
• Bladder infections (cystitis)
  
• Kidney infections (pyelonephritis)
  
  

While symptoms vary, there are a few common signs that you may have a UTI.

Common symptoms of a UTI in both men and women include:

• A strong and persistent urge to urinate
  
• A burning sensation while urinating
  
• Frequent urination with little volume
  
• Cloudy or hazy urine
  
• If your urine is scarlet, bright pink, or cola-colored, this is an indication that there is blood in it
  
• Strong smelling urine
  
• Pressure or cramping in the groin, lower abdomen, or lower belly (common with a bladder infection)
  
• Lower back pain (common with kidney infection)
  
  

How to Prevent UTIs After Sex

Not all UTIs are preventable, nor does all sexual activity cause a urinary tract infection.

Use these UTI prevention tips to protect yourself against infection:

• Drink plenty of water
  
• Go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to do so, and be sure to empty your bladder completely
  
• Use a condom with a water-based lubricant while having sex (this can also help protect against STIs)
  
• Practice safe sex (especially with a new partner)
  
• Men and women should be sure to urinate shortly after having sex
• Maintain good genital hygiene (for women, avoid douching and perfumed sprays as these can irritate the area)
  
• Women should wipe from front to back, away from the urethra and vaginal opening, and towards the anus
  
• Men should wash under the foreskin when taking a bath or shower (if uncircumcised)
  
  

These preventative measures are not guaranteed to prevent a UTI but will reduce your risk of infection. If you have recurrent urinary tract infections (2 or more UTIs in 6 months), seek medical advice from a healthcare provider. They can offer additional prevention methods or treatment options to protect you against infection.

How to Treat a UTI

If you have been diagnosed with a UTI, you must treat the infection with a course of antibiotic medication. Prescription medication is required to completely neutralize the bacteria while preventing its spread to other organs. A prescription for UTI medication can be written by a primary care provider or a doctor of Urology (urologist).

Standard antibiotic treatment options for UTIs include:

• Ciprofloxacin (generic Cipro)
  
• Levofloxacin (generic Levaquin)
  
• Nitrofurantoin (generic Macrobid)
  
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (generic Bactrim)
  
  

These drugs reduce the symptoms caused by the infection and help you get rid of a UTI fast. Most people start feeling better within a day or two after starting treatment. Even if you begin feeling better, take the full course of medication. Recurrent urinary tract infections can occur when the first infection is not completely treated.

Be sure to drink lots of water while taking antibiotics for a UTI. Fluids help flush the infection from your system, which can make your symptoms go away even faster.

There are no over-the-counter or home remedies that can adequately treat a UTI. However, there are over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can relieve pain and discomfort from a UTI.

There is little to no evidence that non-prescription treatment options like cranberry products (like cranberry juice) or probiotic supplements can adequately treat a urinary tract infection.

When to See a Doctor

Talk to a primary care provider or a urologist when you notice the early signs of a UTI.

These include:

• Painful urination
  
• Strong smelling urine
  
• Cloudy urine
  
• Back or side pain
  
  

Healthcare providers will test you for a UTI and prescribe treatment if necessary. Early treatment will help symptoms go away quickly while preventing the infection from getting worse.

How Sesame Can Help

If you think you might have a UTI, book an online doctor appointment on Sesame to discuss your concerns with a licensed healthcare provider. Video visits on Sesame offer the opportunity to get same-day care without going to an office or clinic. If appropriate, providers can prescribe antibiotics to be picked up at your local pharmacy. Don’t wait to treat a UTI. Book a visit on Sesame and start feeling better right away.

Sources:

• Aggarwal N, Leslie SW, Lotfollahzadeh S. (2024). Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. NIH.
  
• Colgan, R., et al. (2011). Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis. Am Fam Physician.
  
• Foxman, B., & Chi, J. W. (1990). Health behavior and urinary tract infection in college-aged women. Journal of clinical epidemiology.
  
• Moore, E. E., Hawes, S. E., Scholes, D., Boyko, E. J., Hughes, J. P., & Fihn, S. D. (2008). Sexual intercourse and risk of symptomatic urinary tract infection in postmenopausal women. Journal of general internal medicine.
  
• Pujades-Rodriguez, M., West, R. M., Wilcox, M. H., & Sandoe, J. (2019). Lower Urinary Tract Infections: Management, Outcomes and Risk Factors for Antibiotic Re-prescription in Primary Care. EClinicalMedicine.
  
• Scholes, D., et al. (2000). Risk Factors for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Young Women . The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
  
• Storme, O., Tirán Saucedo, J., Garcia-Mora, A., Dehesa-Dávila, M., & Naber, K. G. (2019). Risk factors and predisposing conditions for urinary tract infection. Therapeutic advances in urology.