Don't Let a UTI Ruin Your Holiday Season: 5 Ways to Prevent UTIs

The holiday season is a time for fun and enjoyment with family and friends. However, if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), it can also be a time of unpleasant symptoms and an increased risk of even more serious infections.

While most UTIs are effectively treated with medication, it’s better to try to prevent infections in the first place.

At Feminine Urgicare, our team helps women manage UTIs with advanced urine testing and UTI treatments focused on eliminating germs and preventing recurrence. Here, our team offers five simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of a UTI this holiday season and all year long.

1. Stay hydrated

When you urinate, your urine helps wash away bacteria and other germs that cause UTIs. The best way to maintain adequate urine production is to drink plenty of water.

Not a water drinker? Try herbal teas, sparkling water, and even smoothies and milk are good options. Just limit or steer clear of caffeine and alcohol, which can lead to dehydration and irritate your bladder.

2. Practice simple hygiene

coli bacteria are a primary source of UTIs, particularly for women. That’s because E.coli typically comes from your gut, and when you move your bowels, the bacteria are excreted, contaminating your rectum and anus.

If you wipe from back to front, you can easily spread that bacteria from the anus to your urinary tract. The same effect can occur if you wear very tight underwear that traps bacteria and allows them to spread.

Wiping from front to back and wearing underwear made of breathable fabrics like cotton can help reduce the risk of infection.

3. Urinate before and after sex

Intercourse can also spread bacteria from your rectum to your vagina and urethra area, increasing your UTI risk. Urinating before and after sex helps clear away bacteria to reduce that risk.

You can decrease your risk by gently washing the area before and after sex, as well. Use a mild wash or simply warm water to avoid irritation, and once again, move the washcloth from front to back.

4. Urinate when you need to

Have you ever put off urinating because you’re in the middle of another task? It’s a common habit. However, it’s one you should try to break. When you hold back urine, you hold back bacteria, too, giving the germs a chance to multiply and cause infection.

Ideally, aim to urinate 6-7 times a day to keep urine flowing and prevent germs from building up. If you stay hydrated, you might even urinate more often. Be sure to give your bladder ample time to empty completely so no infection-causing germs are left behind.

5. Skip the scented products

Most of us have seen commercials claiming we need deodorants or perfumes to keep the genital area fresh and clean. But that’s just not true.

Not only is regular washing all you need to stay clean, but it also plays a vital role in maintaining an ideal balance of microorganisms that keep your urinary tract naturally healthy.

Deodorizing products contain chemicals that can disrupt that balance, making it easier for germs to cause infection. Deodorant or scented sprays, douches, bubble bath products, and even beloved bath bombs can cause problems, especially if used on a regular basis.

Prompt treatment is essential

Even with the best prevention efforts in place, it’s possible to develop a UTI. When that happens, seeking medical treatment right away is really important. That’s because any delay in care can allow your infection to worsen, causing significant complications like kidney damage.

The good news is that most UTIs clear up quickly with medication and adherence to your treatment plan. If you think you might be developing a UTI, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus and Clifton, New Jersey, today.