What you can do to prevent UTIs
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are about as fun as waiting in an hour-long line for the bathroom when you really, really have to pee. Most women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime. They occur far more frequently in women than men, due to the closeness of the lower bowel (anus) and the urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder).
The infection is caused by bacteria from the vagina or anus entering the urethra, then making its way to the bladder. This bacteria can be shoved into the urethra by the movement of the penis (or other phallic device) during sexual intercourse. Therefore, sexually active women are more likely to get infections. The bigger the schlong, the more likely this is to happen. Sucks, don’t it?
So how do you know if you have one? The most common symptoms are the need to urinate much more than usual, burning or cramping during or immediately after urination, and the feeling that the bladder won’t empty completely. It is imperative that you see a doctor instead of self-diagnosing your first UTI, because several sexually transmitted infections (STI) have similar symptoms. Even if you are not sexually active, an untreated infection can lead to kidney problems.
If you can’t immediately see a doctor, the brand AZO Standard, available at grocery and drug stores, makes pills you can take to alleviate symptoms, though they do turn your urine bright orange. Antibiotics are generally diagnosed depending on what type of bacteria is found and the infection should clear up in one or two days. Just remember to eat a lot of yogurt or take a probiotic supplement like acidophilus while taking antibiotics in order to avoid a nasty yeast infection.
In order to bypass all that crap, just take the proper precautions to avoid infecting your urinary tract. These include:
- Drinking at least eight glasses of water each day
- Urinate frequently
- Avoid tight shorts/pants
- Wear cotton undies during the day and none when you go to bed. Let your little lady breathe!
- Practice good hygiene. Wash in the shower instead of the bath tub and remember kids, always wipe front to back!
- Don’t use feminine hygiene sprays or scented douches. They’re a crock anyways. The vagina is a self-cleaning oven.
- Make sure both sexual partners wash hands and goodies before intercourse. Bothshould also urinate before and afterward.
- Be aware which sexual positions tend to cause UTIs and avoid them.
While they usually affect women, men are not immune UTIs. In males they are caused by obstruction due to a urinary stone, enlarged prostate (ALL men should take a lycopene supplement to combat this problem) or a medical procedure involving a catheter. If men experience any symptoms, they should see a doctor immediately. Lengthier therapy is required to cure a man’s infection because negligence can lead to prostate infection. That’s the male g-spot, boys. Take care of it!
