Ways to Prevent Bladder Infections and UTIs

For those of us who have ever experienced a bladder infection or medically known as a UTI (urinary tract infection), we know what pain really is! Some women claim to have never had a urinary tract infection their entire lives, while others claim to get them on a regular basis. I was one of those unfortunate young ladies who acquired a susceptibility to these painful and uncomfortable infections.

I am offering some advice as to how to prevent a urinary tract infection from taking root in your body; however, the first time you feel any burning sensation or an increased need to urinate, do not wait until it gets worse...head to the doctor right away!

Cranberries contain a natural ingredient which has been proven to reduce the risk for bacterial UTIs. Maintain a healthy urinary system by taking a cranberry pill, once a day, everyday. This is a natural and effective way of kicking your body's nasty habit of recurring infections.

In many cases, people will advise you to go out and buy a bottle of cranberry juice in order to cure an infection or prevent an infection from occurring. I have found this form of cranberry supplementation to be effective...if you purchase 100% cranberry juice. This means NO cranberry juice cocktail! Cranberry Juice Cocktail is full of sugar and has actually made my urinary tract infections feel even more painful. So stay away from sugary drinks and sodas and stick to 100% cranberry juice with no added sugar (and don't forget to drink tons of water). This is very effective in flushing your urinary tract.

A must in prevention of recurring UTIs is proper hygiene. What do I mean by proper hygiene? Well, there are a few things that every woman should do. One one a daily basis: make sure that you are wiping front to back while on the toilet. Sorry to be so blunt, but if you wipe back to front you are spreading the bacteria from your anus to your vagina and also urethra. This will most likely lead to a bacterial infection of the urethra (UTI) and possibly a vaginal infection (that's a whole different hub).

The second hygienic routine that every lady should follow is proper bedtime hygiene. When I say bedtime hygiene, I am referring to those intimate times with your man. Though it sounds like more of a pain and an extra step, it is always best to shower before your intimate time. What happens if you are caught up in the moment and do not want to break it up by excusing yourself for a shower? Well, this is okay every once in awhile, but for the ladies who are married or in a long-term relationship...sex is usually planned out (so you will most likely know beforehand that you need to take a shower). How does taking a pre-sex shower aid in preventing a UTI? You will be washing away any rogue bacteria that may have gathered around your urethra (on your female parts) during the day, therefore preventing that bacteria from entering the urethra during your love-making.

So you are done with your romantic time with your hubby or boyfriend...are you done with your bedtime hygiene routine? Absolutely not! This is the most critical step: immediately go to the bathroom and empty your bladder. This helps any bacteria to be flushed from your urethra that may grab hold and cause an infection if left to linger.

Third and final step in the bedtime hygiene routine: take another shower. Yes, it may get annoying to have to take so many showers just for a twenty minute romp in the hay, but trust me when I say that this is just as critical of a way to prevent infection.

Another quick tip which many women do not realize could be causing their recurring urinary infections - do not take baths! I made this mistake a few years ago. I climbed in the garden bathtub maybe two to three times a week to relax and soak away the day; however, baths are altogether HORRIBLE for female genital and urinary health. Bacteria present in the tub and bacteria present on your body will float around in that water and find its way in! Especially if you are one to take a twenty to thirty minute bath...you are opening the door (pun intended) to a bacterial infection. If you must take baths, only take them every once in awhile and shy away from harsh bubble bath or dyed bath salts.

Drink lots of water on a daily basis and practice these hygiene techniques and I guarantee that you will reduce your risk for UTIs and bladder infections by 99%!

One last thing, if you feel the need to go while you're sitting at your desk at work...for the love of Pete, just go! Studies have shown if you hold it for too long of a time, this can increase your susceptibility to infection, as well.

If you are one of the unfortunate women who practice all of these preventative measures and still acquire recurring infections of the bladder and urinary tract, you may want to talk to your doctor about getting a prophylactic antibiotic to take immediately after engaging in intercourse. This can help to block any unwanted, harmful bacteria from adhering to the urethra or bladder walls.