Prevent UTIs with these 7 life-saving tips

You’re probably drinking less than 6-8 glasses a day. It’s time to improve that. When your body is hydrated enough, it helps flush bacteria out of your urinary tract. This simple habit also helps make your urine less concentrated. Try drinking water throughout the day and always when you start feeling thirsty.

Whenever nature calls, it’s best to relieve yourself. By doing so regularly, it prevents the stagnation of urine in the bladder which avoids any risk of bacterial infection.

Always wipe from front to back to avoid spreading pathogens from the anus to the urethra. Change sanitary napkins often, as the blood on sanitary napkins is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

Genital friction during intercourse increases the presence of germs in the urethra. If possible, it’s recommended for you to urinate after you’ve had intercourse. This helps prevent bacteria from entering the bladder.

Bubble baths and strongly perfumed soaps can irritate the urethra. Try your best to avoid them including douches, deodorant sprays, scented powders, and other potentially irritating feminine products.

Unfortunately, a diaphragm, spermicide, or spermicide-lubricated condom contributes to bacterial growth. It’s more likely for you to get a UTI. Instead, you can use a condom with plain lubricant.

Research suggests that drinking or consuming cranberry products, including dried cranberries can help prevent UTIs from recurring. Cranberries contain compounds that may stop certain bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract wall.

If you experience a frequent and urgent need to urinate, persistent discomfort in the lower abdomen, a burning sensation when urinating, or smelly urine, you may be suffering from a urinary tract infection.

Usually, your doctor will order a urine analysis to confirm if you’ve been infected, before prescribing a course of antibiotics. If not treated promptly, the infection can travel up to the kidneys and cause more harmful health problems.

In cases of repeated urinary tract infections (more than 3 years), you should consider getting yourself checked by a specialist and discuss a long-term solution.