Any Other Mom's Get UTI After Sexual Intercourse?

Updated on October 06, 2008
A.C. asks from Truckee, CA
41 answers

I need help. I was hoping for some advice on getting urinary tract infections after intercourse with my husband. I have had this problem for a long time. I was put on an antibiotic that I am supposed to take right after intercourse to prevent the infection. It is now no longer working and I am back to getting uti's again. Any advice would be appreciated.

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Are you using any lubricants? The last time I had a UTI it was after using some odd substance as a lubricant. Maybe hubby needs to wash more?? (Sorry.) Maybe you guys should both scrub thoroughly before sex. It might take a little of the spontaneity out of the act but...

Not good to regularly take preventative antibiotics. That's how superbugs are created.

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A.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Andrean Hi,

My advice if I was you, is to visit a very high level Holistic doctor.

I think to deal with Antibiotics is a temporary thing but does not touch the core issue of the problem.

Years ago I went through hell about and issue a little simillar to the one you are experiencing.
Spend a lot of money and energy with conventional medicine, it did not work. For Five years.

This doctor save my life.
Doctor Dickey Nyerongsha five generations of Tibetan Doctors.
She comes to S. Francisco and Berkeley area twice a months and she also has a clinic in LA. WEB site www.clavan.net.
I recommend her 100%.
Good luck.

A.

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M.K.

answers from Chico on

my sis had this problem for a few years. They started showering with antibacterial soap (like dial) before every time. I don't know if they still do, but it stopped the infections for her.

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

A.,

I completely understand~ What has helped me tremendously is always pee before you have sex and after you have sex. I always drink a glass of water after sex too to make sure that I am flushing out anything bad. It has helped alot. Also I take a daily cranberry tablet to help keep the urinary tract clean. I try not to take the antibiotics because for me they tend to give me another infection (YEAST) which is no fun either. So, hope this helps and you get to feeling better soon.

Molly

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M.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi A.,

You'd be surprised how very common this is!

I have treated many women w/ UTI's (& myself) in my ayurvedic practice with a great herb. It's from Banyan Botanicals and is called Gokshuradi Guggulu. Goksura is an herb that is cleansing and calming for the urinary tract and Guggul is cleansing for all the channels of the body. I would recommend you get a bottle and take 2, 2x/day (am & pm) until the bottle is out. This will help greatly to rid existing infections and help strengthen your system to prevent future infections. This link should get you right to the herb:
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/prodinfo.asp?number=2011&...

Also, make sure you go pee after intercourse...every single time. It may seem like a pain at first but this alone can work miracles to prevent infections.
Lastly, drink at least 6 glasses of water or herb tea through the day to keep your urinary system clear.

Should you have any questions about the herb, etc. please feel free to email me:
____@____.com
www.solacehealth.com

Best of luck & feel better,
M.

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E.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I've heard that drinking cranberry juice is a good preventative tactic for UTI's - something to do with how it affects the pH of your urine and makes it less condusive to infections.

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W.E.

answers from Sacramento on

always go pee as soon as you can after sex, use toilet paper with no colors or scents or lots of fibers, pat dry. not to be to graphic, but try and take a long pee, not a short one, as there is lots of stuff that has to be flushed out. hope that helps!!

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P.M.

answers from San Francisco on

This happened to me after my second child was born and my mother experienced it after going into menopause. Both scenarios have to do with hormones. Your estrogen levels may be low. Ask your OB about this. I was breastfeeding at the time and I couldnt take estrogen-containing birth control pills so my doc gave my estrogen vaginal cream. My mom and I both use it and it works very well.

If your doc hasnt mentioned this already or is unwilling to give you the cream, get a second opinion. UTIs are very unpleasant as you well know.

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G.G.

answers from San Francisco on

I have some ideas, and apologize if I'm not understanding all the facts from your post. I have gotten UTIs throughout my life, but not from sex. Anyway, you should consider taking a probiotic (along w/ your antibiotic). Last year (in the midst of planning my wedding), I kept getting sick and taking antibiotics. As a reslt from taking antibiotics, I got a yeast infection and then a UTI. I asked the doctor what I could do to keep from getting yeast infections. He told me to take Acidophilis (sp?) which is a probiotic you can find at any drugstore -- you can find it in the vitamin section. But you have to be careful on when to take it. I believe you should take it after two hours of taking the antibiotic -- but TALK TO YOU DOCTOR FIRST. Seriously, it totally helped me from further infections. I hope this helps.

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V.G.

answers from San Francisco on

H A.,
I used to get UTIs frequently (sometimes after intercourse with my hubby as well). Back then always drank cranberry juice and tried to always use the bathroom (urinate) after intercourse to attempt to clear the urinary tract. That is what the doctor had advised me to do.

I do want to give you a link:
http://www.insidemangosteen.com/powerx/index-1.html
This site easy to use - alphabetical order of diagnosis - and when I looked urinary tract infections, there were two testimonials from women who feel that drinking mangosteen juice helped them. I have a website myself (mom-owned biz here on mamasource), www.referralco-op.com that features lots of information on XanGo, mangosteen whole fruit juice supplement. In additional to whole mangosteen puree, XanGo does also contain a blend of juices including cranberry and cherry, both of which I have heard are good for preventing UTIs. FYI - I have a drawing that ends today for a FREE case of XanGo (four bottles) and a box of 3SIXTY5, whole fruit nutrition vitamin & mineral daily dietary supplement which contains a proprietary whole food blend (12 fruit, 12 vege), and has mangosteen, cranberry, blueberry, strawberry concentrates as part of the 24 whole food concentrates.

I believe you will get control over these UTIs and prevent them, instead of getting them and having to remain on antibiotics for prolonged periods of time. May you and your family be blessed! V. G. :o)

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E.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi A.

Check out www.DrinkSupplements.com it is very high in antioxidants per serving, it is also made with Mangosteen (Queen of Fruits), Organic Green Tea and Aloe Vera and lots of vitamins and minerals your body needs daily, at that website you can see how it compares to the other products others recommended to you, there is a comparison chart you can view.

Also try the Probacillus Plus (probiotics) at www.Youngevityonline.com/boitano or www.Suzanne24.com/E..

These companies are set up so if you want to order as a customer you can or if you signed up as a member at no extra charge you can bring in a secondary income working from your own home.

Hope this helps!

Good Luck!

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J.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Go pee before and immediately after intercourse. That usually helps and cranberry pills. That always helped me.

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D.T.

answers from Sacramento on

I had this problem too - it was pretty severe. After five or six infections in one year - my gyno sent me to a urologist. I'd recommend seeing one too. He determined that I'd had so many infections that the antibiotics were not clearing them up completely - which caused my urethra to have strictures (thus it was very small) which caused more infections because I couldnt eliminate all my urine properly. Anyway - long story - I had a quick procedure done by the uro to fix it three years ago and I haven't had one since. See a urologist, they will send you through a battery of tests to find out your problem...........

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K.B.

answers from Yuba City on

I have heard from other women with this problem that you should drink a glass of water before and after sex. Also, pee before and after sex. And wash up after sex. And only cotton WHITE panties, and only white unscented toilet paper.

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L.M.

answers from Sacramento on

Hee is some info on Interstitial Cystitis. Some people who get recurrent bladder infections often have this condition, Check out this article and then do a little more research on your own.
http://www.drroby.com/treatments/interstitial_cystitis_tr...
If antibiotics aren't working, you could have this problem. My sis-in-law cut out sugar and it made a huge difference for her!!!
Also, be sure you are taking probiotics. All the antibiotics you are taking are killing off your "good bacteria" and that will cause problems in your intestines. It could let too much yeast grow in the gut and that will cause a new set of problems for you that will not be easy for a dcotor to dignose.

The importance of probiotics: http://www.nuvobody.com/store/pg/67-Probiotics.aspx

Good luck!!!

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N.K.

answers from San Francisco on

Some standard info that I'm sure you've gotten is to drink cranberry juice and water. Also urinate before and after sex. Wear cotton underwear. Tight jeans can also create favorable conditions for UTI's.

Using antibiotics all the time can decrease their efficiency. Good luck to you! I know it's not pleasant.

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M.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Inconvenient as it may sound, you must get up and pee right after intercourse. Add vitamin C and cranberry juice (or cranberry supplements) to your diet. Keep hydrated (lots and lots of water, cut back on caffeine (maybe that's for yeast infection). Make sure you are lubricated so no chaffing is occurring (you might be sore, which can burn during urination). Try to back off the antibiotics. Your body is building an immunity to them (perhaps why they are not working for you anymore. Going with stronger is only a short term answer). Make sure darling husband is clean, too. Good luck. I was in your position at one time, but my body got over it. Not sure how or why.

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D.C.

answers from Sacramento on

You really need to talk some more with your OBY-GYN. I just had to have a hysterectomy because I was constantly have infections (painful bladder infections) after intercourse because my bladder had fallen and was sitting on top of my uterus. I'm older so a hysterectomy was not too much of a shock, but that may not be what you need. The most important reconsructive surgery was that he built a sling for my bladder to hold it up. You may need some reinforcement for your bladder to keep it away from your uterus. Talk with you doctor. It's not worth suffering.
D.

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A.A.

answers from San Francisco on

You've gotten some really great advice already. The one part I really want to impress is my concern with taking antibiotics repeatedly. For so many reasons it is not a good idea to take antibiotics over and over again. If I were in your position, I would be bulking up on probiotics to replenish the balance in my system.

Cranberry and lots of water as many others have said. I didn't notice anyone mention acupuncture for stimulating the kidneys and restoring balance in the body.

I would also highly advise AGAINST using anything to wash with other than water. As some comedianne put it, it is a "self-cleaning oven." I used to get UTIs a lot when I was a kid and soap of any kind irritates it, including douches. However, I always urinate before and after to "clean the pipes" so to speak and washing with water is good as well.

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E.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Although I have not tried this, a girl friend of mine had the same problem when she started dating her boyfriend/now husband. She began taking large doses (4 pills a day I believe) of cranberry pills. She bought them at GNC but I think you can get it in any herbal section of a drug store. She tapered off of the dosage and only takes them now periodically, but she kept the dosage high for months. Now she rarely gets the UTIs. I hope this is helpful. I know your pain!

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A.J.

answers from Sacramento on

My doctor told me a long time ago, that i need to get up right after intercourse and go urinate. try it, it worked for me

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M.W.

answers from Fresno on

Dear A.,

Urinary tract infections can be very painful; they interfere with additional intimacy until you get it under control; and they deplete the energy you need to run your household, be a loving wife and mom. I know this because it was a problem for me. Here is advice I followed which eliminated the problem for me.

1) Be very certain that your own body is clean. Shower and cleanse the outer vaginal area every day. Use clean underwear everyday. My husband was very hygienic and did the same.
We had a pretty good schedule and knew when we could make love, so it was not a problem to be sure that we both had washed our hands before touching each other, as well. If you and your husband play with sex toys, be sure they are cleaned each time, too. This "cleanliness" emphasis may seem a bit over reacting; but when you are sensitive it is a good idea to do these simple things. Do not use perfumes or douches. Keep yourself natural, but clean.

2) Be aware of how full your bladder is before making love. Being able to urinate after intercourse is a good way to flush out any extraneous substances from the tract. If you know you will be making love in the evening drink a full glass of water or keep a good supply of cranberry juice on hand. Cranberry juice seems to be a natural help for urinary tract problems.I drink it regularly. If you are morning people your bladder may be too full for comfort. Try getting up to empty your bladder an hour or two before your normal wake up time. Then drink a full glass of water before going back to bed. This should leave your bladder with a comfortable amount of urine for the flushing. Experiment with what works for you.

3) Do not douche. My GYN told me that douching introduces more problems than eliminates them. However, after making love, it is a good idea to rinse the vaginal area off.
I keep 2 one quart containers in my bathroom. After love making I fill them with plain warm water and rinse off. Pat dry with a towel. If you ever plan to remodel your bathroom, plan a bidet. I think one would be a good investment. On my budget the 2 one quart containers work for me.

Using this routine I was able to drop the antibiotics. Hope this will work for you, too

Merylyn (aka Mommie Salami)

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L.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi A., I feel your pain sister. I get UTI's and yeast infections from having sex with my hubby too, especially when we increase the frequency. You have gotten great advice, these are the several things I do that keep them at bay: 1. drink lots of water - at least 64 ounces per day, that helps keep you well hydrated and flushed out. 2. Take cranberry extract pills or I prefer the liquid form of unsweetened cranberry juice every day. 3. Take a pro-biotic capsule or liquid once or twice per day (twice if you also get yeast). 4. Do not wear underwear to bed and only wear cotton underwear during the day - avoid tight and binding undies and pants. Change your underwear immediately after working out or sweating (i.e. keep dry!) 5. Try to minimize the heavy friction during sex - ask him to use a lighter touch during foreplay and intercourse. 6. Pee before and immediately after sex. 7. Do not wash with soap on your p****** p****, only use tea tree cleanser - regular soap strips the natural balance. 8. Finally, and this is a bummer, but oral sex is just asking for it. I am sure your doctor has told you but the friction during foreplay and sex literally pushes bacteria up into the urinary tract and if you are prone to infections, you will develop one. I hope this helps!

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D.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi,

I have had experience with this too. I have take antiobiotics, but I always try to get rid of them before they get too bad by taking lots of water with cranberry supplements,two to three pills every couple hours with loads of water. I have had them so many times that I know exactly when I am getting one. It beats drinking the juice and taking in all the calories. You can buy them at any drug store or health food store. Also, I found that my body because of its acidity level was partly to blame. I started taking coral calcium, aloe and cod liver pills to balance out my bodies ph. It worked! I have not had them since.

Good luck!
D.
###-###-####

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A.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Dear A., most likely your immune sistem is weak, using antibiotic you killed bad and good bacteria which a important fighter in our body. Call me I will tel you what I did.
916 944 46 75. A.

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L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

You've got some great advice. I used to get frequent UTI's also. I do know that taking a daily antibiotic can actually weaken the immune system. Here are some additional things: cut out sugar for a while, take
d-mannose (you can find it at a health food store), always wash before and after intercourse. Good luck!

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A.O.

answers from San Francisco on

I've been getting it a lot, and my OB-GYN advised to empty my bladder before and after intercourse. The situation is much better since then! Good luck! :)

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T.W.

answers from Fresno on

Yes i had UTI's back 2 back found out my husband had gave me a sexual transmitted disease so when i have sex with him i use a condom no more bear back for me.

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R.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I feel almost silly asking you this because I'm sure you already know and do this...but just in case...when I was first married I had the same problem...no one had told me that I was suppose to pee after sex. It cleans out the tract. I've never had a problem since. Good luck I hope one of these suggestions help!

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Z.M.

answers from San Francisco on

The biggest thing that helped me was getting up and peeing RIGHT after intercourse. (cranberry capsules didn't hurt either). It's horribly un-romantic, but it flushes your urinary tract out of stray bacteria before it has time to start causing trouble.
It works so well, my husband now shoos me out of bed because we have found even 10 minutes of cuddling, and I will find the next day I feel a little "itchy" and have to take a LOT of cranberry capsules.

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T.W.

answers from San Francisco on

About 12 years ago after a very bad UTI that sent me to the E.R. the Dr. told me some things to not only get better but keep me from getting them in the future and one thing was to always make sure and urinate after sex to clean your system however in the event you are trying to get pregnant then you need to wait 15min. If you are pron to UTI's then drink cranberry juice on a regular basis and if you don't like the juice you can get it in pill form at a health food store like Whole Foods. Good Luck!

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K.L.

answers from Fresno on

My advice is similar to other moms... always pee directly after, drink lots of water daily (at least 8-10 glasses of liquid; limit caffeine), drink cranberry juice or take cranberry pills on a regular basis and THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT take a probiotic daily like acidophilus. This will help to keep a handle on any bad bacteria in the urinary tract by keeping the good bacteria up. Probiotics also help to prevent yeast, especially if you do end up having to take a regular antibiotic. Hope this helps... I used to get 6-10 UTI's per year and this regime has really helped me out... Haven't had one on several years!!! Good Luck

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V.W.

answers from San Francisco on

I had that problem with my fiancee and it turned out he had a bacterial infection in his inguinal canal. It had been misdiagnosed several times by different doctors and the symptoms were so mild (slight pain during ejaculation). That he didn't even know he was sick.

Might want to have your hubby thoroughly examined.

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E.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Great info from everyone. I used to have the same problem as a teenager. The doc told me he sees it all the time in millitary families especially. Called it Home for Shore leave Syndrome. (just him being funny) But along with all the info on here, he also said to make sure that your partners hands and nails are very clean. All the digital manipulations (hopefully) beforehand really push the bacteria around and irritate a lot of tissues.

Good luck.

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K.B.

answers from San Francisco on

You probably tried the pee before & after, and drinking cranberry juice regularly. You might want to be checked by the Dr. I am a pediatric RN in a Hospital. We would do a ultrasound of kidney and/or VCUG (where they would check for kidney reflux)it is a type of x-ray.
It must be fustrating & painful. Best of luck to you!

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Dear A.,
I don't mean to sound like this has to be so unspontaneous, but, you and your husband should both shower before bed. You definitely should pee first and empty your bladder, but washing after and before sex can help. It might be fun for you both to be completely clean and a little wet in bed. Falling asleep right afterwards is wonderful, but get up and pee and rinse off again.
UTI's are nothing to goof around with. I had infections that went to my kidneys and I was bleeding when I peed. I couldn't even stand up straight.
There was zero fiddling around at that point.
Cranberry juice. Pee, pee, pee, rinse, rinse, rinse.

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M.C.

answers from Bakersfield on

Make sure that your husband has showered before hand. Immediately after intercourse you need to shower or clean yourself with a warm washcloth.That area of your body holds a fine balance that is easily put out of whack. Not drinking enough fluids or sexual intercourse are perfect methods for UTI's. You also need to make sure that your UTI is truly healed and not just a little better. Have your doctor test you when you don't feel like you have one and make sure.GOOD LUCK!

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E.B.

answers from San Francisco on

The only thing I dislike about sex with my husband is that it gives me yeast infections. Is that the same as bladder infections? - I can never remember! Anyway, I control them with AZO Yeast - a homeopathic that is available from Target or drug stores. AZO brand has other homeopathic stuff so you might check it out.

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M.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi A.,

I am sorry you have this problem.

Having cistitis (UTI) after intercoures is rather freqeunt complaint.

It is very important to urinate just after intercourse because it flashes all the bacteria out.

You may also consider taking a homeopathic remedy called Staphisagria 30C 3 times a day for a few days after you have UTI. Staphisagria is a remedy for UTIs that come after intercourse. You can buy this remedy in a health food store.

You may benefit from a professional homeopathic treatment to get rid of your succeptability to UTIs.

Best wishes,
M.

M. Rosen, CHom
Certified Homeopath
www.MashaRosen.com
###-###-####
840 Hinckley Road, Suite 110
Burlingame, CA 94010

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N.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Have you tried Cranberry extract pills every day?

Also, I like the advice given by the mom who has treated UTIs with herbal remedies. I would opt for something natural first.

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C.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I was told to always urinate after, drink tons of water, and cranberry juice.

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