Urinary Tract Infection Prevention Strategies

These urinary tract infection prevention strategies could cut your risk of getting a UTI. Some of them sound simple and easy to do but they have been shown to be effective.

1. Drink plenty of fluids especially water. It increases urination and reduces concentration of bacteria within your urinary tract. In addition, some drinks like cranberry juice have been found to have properties that make the bladder and urethral mucosa more resistant to attachment of bacteria. Drinking water is effective in preventing infection NOT in curing an established infection.

2. Urinate promptly when the urge arises. This has the beneficial effect of not allowing accumulation of bacteria in the urinary tract.

3. Empty your bladder after engaging in sexual intercourse. After every sexual encounter, there is often an increase in the concentration of bacteria in the lower urinary tract of males and females. Emptying your bladder will help reduce the concentration and prevent infection.

4. Ladies should clean from front-to-back after using the bathroom. Cleaning from back-to-front could transfer some of the bacteria that cause UTI from the anus to the urethra or vagina.

5. Avoid irritating feminine products e.g. douches. They damage your protective epithelium and increase your chances of getting UTIs

These are just a few urinary tract infection prevention strategies, ask your health care provider about more prevention methods that you could employ.

Created - March, 2007
Last updated - August, 2009