UTI Fact or Fiction

When it comes to urinary tract infections (UTIs), sorting out the facts from the fiction is critical in not only getting help now, but also in avoiding future infections.

You Can Get UTIs from Sex

Fact: According to the CDC, while anyone can have a UTI, sexually active women are the highest risk group. It has to do with the proximity of the urethra to the vagina. The Cleveland Clinic recommends urinating immediately prior to and after sex in an effort to reduce the risks and drinking a full glass of water afterwards.

Cranberry Juice Prevents UTIs

Fiction: While cranberries do have an ingredient that helps to prevent bacteria from adhering to the wall of the bladder, Cleveland Clinic maintains that there is not enough of this ingredient in cranberry juice to prevent a UTI. Instead, you should drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily.

Poor Hygiene Causes UTIs

Fiction: The truth is that anyone can get a UTI. It has nothing to do with hygiene. However, The Office on Women’s Health suggests that women clean the outer lips of the vagina and anus daily, wipe from front to back, and avoid the use of feminine hygiene sprays and douches.

Men Can Get UTIs Too

Fact: The Cleveland Clinic reports that while 60 percent of women will have a UTI at some point in their lifetimes, men can also suffer from this condition – though the numbers aren’t nearly as high.

Wear Cotton Underwear to Prevent UTIs

Fact: Cotton is a breathable fabric that will allow moisture, which often contains bacteria, to escape. If you can’t stand the thought of cotton underwear, at least consider wearing panties that have a cotton crotch. Also, avoid wearing tight pants to avoid trapping moisture.

There’s Nothing You Can Really Do to Treat UTIs

Fiction: Doctors can prescribe antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections quickly and effectively – most people find relief in as little as one to two days after treatment. Women who are pregnant should especially seek treatment quickly if a UTI is suspected, according to The Office on Women’s Health, as UTIs can result in high blood pressure or preterm birth.

If you have questions about the causes and treatment of urinary tract infections, contact us here or call us at (404) 705-5201.