{"id":5946,"date":"2020-11-27T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5946"},"modified":"2020-11-26T09:52:40","modified_gmt":"2020-11-26T09:52:40","slug":"is-a-uti-caused-by-sex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/is-a-uti-caused-by-sex\/","title":{"rendered":"Is a UTI caused by sex?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>We often associate\nthe abbreviation \u2018UTI\u2019 with feeling uncomfortable down below and needing to\nurinate, a lot. But what actually is a UTI? What causes it, and how can it be\nprevented? Here, we answer some commonly asked questions about UTIs.<\/strong> <strong>It\u2019s time to get clued up.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>First thing\u2019s first. A urinary tract infection, also known as\na UTI, occurs when bacteria passes through the urethra and enters the bladder.\nThe urethra is the tube in which urine passes out of the body during urination.\nThis infection can cause inflammation of the bladder, also known as \u2018cystitis\u2019.\nHowever, most UTIs are not a serious cause for concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the urethra in women is short in length, the bacteria can easily access and travel up the tube. Therefore, UTIs are much more common in women than in men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/toilet-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5947\" width=\"463\" height=\"308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/toilet-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/toilet-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/toilet-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/toilet-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/toilet.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2>How do I know if I have a UTI?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Signs and symptoms of a UTI include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Needing to urinate frequently<\/li><li>Pain or burning during urination<\/li><li>Pressure or pain in the lower abdomen<\/li><li>Unable to pass much urine<\/li><li>Cloudy, strong-smelling urine<\/li><li>Red or pink-coloured urine (a sign of blood).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Why do I have a UTI?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>UTIs occur due to bacteria entering the urethra, causing an\ninfection. There are several ways in which this can happen, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>During sex<\/li><li>Unhygienic toilet practices which transfer bacteria\nfrom the anus to the urethra<\/li><li>Due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>How can I prevent a UTI?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is impossible to avoid UTIs completely, but there are various\nways you can reduce your chances of getting one in the first place. Better2Know\u2019s\nTop 3 Tips on preventing UTIs are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Always urinate before and after sex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make it a habit to use the toilet before and after you have\nsex. This helps to remove bacteria which may have entered the urethra during\nsex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Stay hydrated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Drinking water frequently, flushes out bacteria which may be\nlurking in the urinary tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Wipe from front to back when using the toilet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This helps to stop any bacteria from the anal area transferring\nto the urethra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Will a UTI go away on its own?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Frequent urination should help to clear up mild cases within\na few days. Sometimes, UTIs are treated with a course of antibiotics to\neliminate the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Can I get tested for a UTI?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/shop\/products\/home-testing-kits\/urine-for-microscopy-and-culture\">Urine for Microscopy\nand Culture home sample collection kit<\/a> can detect the presence of harmful\nbacteria. Simply order your test online and send your urine sample to our\nlaboratory by post. With results ready within two days, this test will get you\nthe answers you need quickly and conveniently. Alternatively, you can book an\nappointment at one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/clinics\/search\">nationwide clinics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What should I do if my symptoms are persistent?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If the UTI does not clear up or re-occurs frequently, you\nshould speak to your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are concerned that you may have been at risk of a\nsexually transmitted infection (STI), you should get tested for STIs. Better2Know\u2019s\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/page\/comfort-screen\">Comfort\nScreen<\/a> provides the ideal combination of tests if you are\nexperiencing genital discomfort, such as burning or itching. This urine-only\nscreen will test you for the STIs which most commonly cause this: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/chlamydia\">Chlamydia<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/gonorrhoea\">Gonorrhoea<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/page\/herpes\">Herpes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/mycoplasma\">Mycoplasma<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/ureaplasma\">Ureaplasma<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/page\/gardnerella\">Gardnerella<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/trichomonas\">Trichomonas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Sources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>[1] Mayo Clinic: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/urinary-tract-infection\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20353447\">Urinary\nTract Infection (UTI)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[2] Everyday Health: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/uti\/guide\/\">What is a Urinary Tract Infection\n(UTI)?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[3] Everyday Health: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/urinary-tract-infections\/the-link-between-utis-and-sex.aspx\">The Link\nBetween UTIs and Sex<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[4] NHS: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/cystitis\/\">Cystitis<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We often associate the abbreviation \u2018UTI\u2019 with feeling uncomfortable down below and needing to urinate, a lot. But what actually is a UTI? What causes it, and how can it be prevented? Here, we answer some commonly asked questions about UTIs. It\u2019s time to get clued up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[20,16,19],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[1619,3158,608,3157,637,560,869,3153,3159,3156,1564,3155,3149,3143,2277,3154,3160,3141,3148,3144],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5946"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5946"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5950,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5946\/revisions\/5950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5946"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=5946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}