How To Prevent Getting A UTI After Sex & Why You Get Them, From Doctors

Getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) after sex can be a real buzzkill. Besides dealing with the pain and burning sensations while you pee while you have one, getting them consistently after sex can make the whole prospect of sexual intimacy less appealing. But there's hope: While there's no one surefire way to prevent a UTI after sex, there are many ways to at least lower your risk of getting one.

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection affecting the bladder, urethra, and, in more serious cases, the kidneys. "UTIs happen either because bacteria on the outside of the body—specifically from the rectum and vagina—find their way into the urethra or because the bladder itself becomes overpopulated with 'bad' bacteria," board-certified physician Eva Selhub, M.D., writes for mbg.

Anyone can contract a UTI, though people with vaginas are more susceptible than people with penises because their urethras are only between 2 to 3 centimeters long (compared to 15 to 29 centimeters in people with penises). The shorter urethra length makes it easier for unwanted bacteria to travel up to the bladder—especially during sex. 

At least 60% of women and 12% of men will contract a urinary tract infection1 at least once in their life, and some people experience recurrent UTIs. While some people are simply more prone to these bacterial infections, others increase their risk2 through external factors like having sex.

The urethra is directly next to the vaginal opening, urologist Vannita Simma-Chiang, M.D., tells mbg. So based on proximity alone, the odds of sexual fluids coming in contact with, and possibly infecting, the urethra are high. 

"Penetrative sex can increase the risk of getting a UTI because the penis can cause bacteria to be pushed into the urethra," OB-GYN Heather Irobunda, M.D., explains. "When this bacteria gets pushed into the urethra, it can stay there and cause an infection in the urethra, or the bacteria can travel and cause an infection in the bladder." 

Some positions might be more likely to aggravate the area, OB-GYN Wendie Trubow, M.D., MBA, adds: “Some positions bring the urethra into greater contact with the penis (in the case of penetrative sex); specifically, legs over your partner's shoulders should be avoided if you're having recurrent UTIs.”

While penetrative sex presents a much higher risk, oral sex can also cause UTIs by pushing bacteria in or around the vagina into the urethra. 

These are a few common symptoms of UTIs, according to Selhub: 

The research surrounding postcoital voiding (aka peeing after sex) as a way to prevent UTIs after sex is mixed. One study in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology found college students who always pee before and after sex were less likely to get UTIs3, while another study found no link between postcoital peeing and UTI risk.

Despite the conflicting research, many doctors recommend peeing after sex as a generally healthy habit to adopt. "This flushes the bacteria that may have entered the urethra during sex out and decreases the chance of getting a UTI," Irobunda explains.

Symptoms of a UTI usually take days to show up, Irobunda says. "This is because it takes a while for the bacteria to multiply and cause inflammation in the urethra and bladder," she says. 

Technically you could have sex with a UTI, but it may be painful and/or worsen the symptoms. While a UTI is not a sexually transmitted infection, there is a chance of passing the bacteria that causes the infection (such as E.coli) to your partner. If you do decide to wait, there’s no right time, but most doctors recommend holding off until the symptoms subside. 

Cranberry juice can be an effective treatment option, but Simma-Chiang says it's not the be-all-and-end-all solution. The active ingredient that's supposed to prevent adherence of the organism to the bladder wall (read: kill the UTI) isn't strong enough, she says. Plus, cranberry juice tends to be high in added sugars to balance out the tartness. This means people with diabetes or certain gastrointestinal and inflammatory issues usually shouldn't take it. Unsweetened cranberry pills are another option, says Trubow.

If you're still getting recurrent UTIs after sex, it's a good idea to consult a medical professional (such as your primary care physician, OB/GYN, or a urologist). After doing necessary assessments, doctors can prescribe personalized treatment options. 

“It's possible that someone is getting recurrent UTIs due to an anatomical issue,” Trubow says. “If you've had more than 3-5 UTIs in a year, it warrants a full workup."

According to Simma-Chiang, you may need to take prescribed antibiotics, a postcoital prophylaxis, or a supplement like cranberry or d-mannose to properly treat the infection. “D-mannose can also be used ongoingly and won't alter the microbiome, so it's a great alternative to antibiotics,” Trubow adds.

Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable bacterial infections, which unfortunately can be caused by sex. However, it may take a few days for the symptoms to show up. To prevent UTIs from sex, many doctors recommend peeing directly after sex to flush any unwanted bacteria out of the urethra. Certain supplements may help treat recurring UTIs while others may require antibiotic treatment. Visiting a doctor to talk through all the options is advised.