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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common outpatient infections in the U.S. They affect about 10% of women every year.
We understand it’s a frequent and frustrating experience for many.
And it brings up a key question: can you get a UTI from sex?
TL;DR: yes.
While urinary tract infections are not classified as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are not considered contagious in the traditional sense, sexual activity can be a contributing factor.
A recent study found that people who recently had sex were nearly 7 times more likely to develop a UTI. And this risk increased nine times in those who reported having sex more than three times a week.
So while UTIs are not STIs, there’s definitely a link between the two. Let’s take a deeper look.
Key takeaways
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are not sexually transmitted infections, but you can get a UTI after sex. Bacteria may get into the urinary tract during sex. That includes oral sex, too.
- UTIs happen when bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract travel from the genital or anal area into the urethra and up to the bladder.
- Urinary tract infections are more common in women than men.
- Other risk factors for a UTI include female anatomy, dehydration, pregnancy, menopause, and more.
- Some common symptoms of UTIs are frequent urination, burning during urination, pelvic pain, fever, and bloody or cloudy urine.
- It’s best to avoid sex when you have a UTI. It could make your infection worse.
To help prevent a UTI, urinate before and after sex. Always practice good genital hygiene and use lubricant during sex. Additionally, avoid douching and scented products, consider probiotics, and stay hydrated.
Talk to a doctor if you think you have a UTI. The quicker you treat it, the easier treatment will be.
Can you get a UTI from sex?
As mentioned earlier, urinary tract infections can be a result of sex.
Before we go further, let’s start with some of the basics.
UTIs are infections of the urinary tract. They most commonly affect the lower part of the urinary tract (bladder and urethra).
Urine itself is typically sterile (meaning it doesn’t contain bacteria). However, bacteria from your genital and anal areas can sometimes make their way into your urinary tract. This introduction of bacteria can lead to infection and inflammation.
UTIs are most commonly caused by Escherichia coli, a.k.a. E. coli. This type of bacteria is normally found in the gastrointestinal tract and the skin around the anus.
When having sex, bacteria from the rectum and anus can be pushed towards the vagina and urethra. This bacteria can then travel up the urethra and get into the bladder, leading to a UTI.
This is one of the most common ways to get a UTI from sex. It’s also worth noting that oral sex can also introduce bacteria from the mouth into the urethra, potentially leading to a UTI.
What are other causes of UTIs?
While sex is a known risk factor, other factors can also increase your risk of developing a UTI.
Female anatomy
Women have a shorter urethra than men. This makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. The urethra’s proximity to the anus also increases the risk of bacterial transfer. This is a key reason why you see UTIs in women far more often than in men.
Read more: If I Get a UTI, Will It Delay My Period?
Dehydration
Concentrated urine creates a more favorable environment for bacterial growth. Staying hydrated helps to dilute your urine and flush bacteria from the urinary tract.
Read more: Hydration and Fertility: What Is The Connection?
Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, your uterus expands. This expansion can compress the ureters, which are the tubes connecting your kidneys to your bladder. This potentially hinders your urine flow, increasing your UTI risk.
Menopause
Estrogen plays a protective role in your body by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus (healthy bacteria). It also helps maintain an acidic vaginal pH. Both of these things help to ward off infection.
When you go through menopause, your hormones change. And one of those changes is a decline in your estrogen levels. This can impact your urogenital microbiome and increase your risk of getting a UTI.
Read more: Signs Perimenopause is Ending And What To Do
Conditions that block the urinary tract
Things like kidney stones and strictures (narrowing of the urethra) may mess with your urine flow. And this can make it easier for bacteria to multiply and cause an infection.
Conditions that hinder bladder emptying
Issues like constipation and an enlarged prostate in men can prevent the bladder from emptying completely, which can increase the risk of bacterial growth.
Urinary catheters
Catheters drain urine from the bladder. Prolonged use of urinary catheters can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract.
Weakened immune system
A weak immune system makes it more difficult for the body to fight off an infection. This includes urinary tract infections.
Frequent antibiotic use
Using antibiotics too much can disrupt the delicate balance of healthy bacteria in the body. When this happens, you increase your risk of UTIs and other infections.
Frequent antibiotic use can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, which makes infections harder to treat.
So now that you know how UTIs may occur, how do you know if you have one? Let’s take a look at the symptoms.
What are the symptoms of UTIs?
UTI symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. Here are the most common symptoms associated with this infection:
- Frequent urination
- A strong urge to urinate, even when your bladder is empty
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
Can you have sex when you have a UTI?
It’s not advisable to have sex when you have a UTI.
Sexual activity can introduce more bacteria into your urethra and potentially push the infection even further up the bladder. This could make your symptoms worse and lead to more serious infections, like a kidney infection.
It’s best to wait until you’ve finished your course of antibiotics and your symptoms have resolved before you resume sexual activity again.
How can you prevent getting a UTI from sex?
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but you can’t entirely eliminate your risk of urinary tract infections.
However, some strategies help reduce your risk, especially when it comes to avoiding a UTI after sex.
1. Urinate before and after sex
This simple step helps flush out bacteria from the urethra, preventing them from reaching the bladder. Peeing after sexual intercourse is one of the most effective ways to prevent UTIs from sex.
2. Clean the genitals before and after sex
Washing the genital area helps to get rid of bacteria that could enter the urinary tract during sex.
And always remember to wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. This avoids introducing bacteria from the anal area to the urethra.
3. Use lubricant
Friction during sexual intercourse can irritate the sensitive tissues around the genitals. This makes them more prone to infection. Using a pH neutral and sperm friendly lubricant can help reduce friction and reduce your risk.
Know more: Fertility Lubricant: Safe Use When Trying to Conceive
4. Avoid douching and scented products
Are you douching or using scented products on your genitals? You may be trying to keep things clean down there, but are doing more harm than good. These products can disrupt your body’s natural balance of healthy bacteria. The result? An increased risk of infection.
On top of that, these products can alter the pH of the vagina, making it easier for bad bacteria to thrive.
5. Consider probiotics
Probiotics can help keep a healthy balance of bacteria in the body, including your urogenital tract. This can help prevent UTIs, especially recurring ones.
6. Stay hydrated
Drinking 2-3 liters of water daily helps dilute your urine and flush out bacteria from your urinary tract. This is a key step in preventing UTIs, whether they’re caused by sex or not.
When to see a doctor
If you’re experiencing any UTI symptoms, seek medical attention. Early treatment prevents the infection from spreading to the upper tract, which can lead to a more serious infection.
Your doctor will likely give you an antibiotic prescription to treat your UTI.
If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may recommend testing or a longer course of antibiotics.
Don’t hesitate to share any concerns you have about urinary tract infections with your healthcare provider. They will provide personalized advice and treatment based on your unique circumstances.
FAQs
It’s best to wait until you have finished your antibiotic course to have sexual intercourse
This ensures that all of the bad bacteria have been treated.
No, you cannot pass urinary tract infections (UTIs) from person to person. If you have sex with someone who has a UTI, that doesn’t mean you’ll get it.
That’s because a UTI is an infection in the urinary system. And neither man nor woman enters the urinary tract during sexual activity.
More than 80% of UTIs are caused by the E. coli bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
Bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract are often found on the skin around the anus. And the friction from having sex pushes bacteria from the anal area forward, towards the opening of the urethra. And when this bacteria enters the urinary tract, it causes a UTI.
It’s best to avoid having sex with a UTI. There’s the chance that doing so can send the bacteria further up your urinary system and make the infection worse. It could lead to a severe infection, like a bladder infection or a kidney infection.
On top of that, having sex can irritate your genital area, which has the potential to introduce even more bacteria into your urinary tract.
Wait until you’re done with your course of antibiotics to start having sex again.
Yes. It’s less common for men than women, but it’s possible. Anal sex puts men at a higher risk of developing a UTI. This is because the anus is close to the urethra, where a UTI takes place.
Research shows that symptoms start showing up about 2 days after having sex. It could take up to a few days, though.
Yes. It is possible to get a UTI from oral sex. The mouth bacteria can be introduced into the urethra, potentially causing a UTI.
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