Dealing with discomfort, itching, or burning in sensitive areas is very unpleasant -- to put it nicely.

Urinary Tract Infections are one of the most common types of infection and are responsible for around 8.1 million visits to a doctor’s office every year, and every single one of those cases can attest to just how unpleasant they can be.

If you’ve ever experienced a UTI, these 5 tips will help you get rid of UTIs for GOOD.

What are Urinary Tract Infections?

UTIs are caused by bacterial growth in the bladder. Once in the bladder, the bacteria are able to multiply and produce enzymes that make urea -- a compound found in urine -- readily available for the bacterial cells to consume.

 

This phenomenon is called pyrogenic activity, and it creates an environment in the bladder that encourages bacterial growth, increasing the risk of infection.

UTIs are usually harmless (unlike strep throat and other infections), but can sometimes cause complications, such as enlargement of the prostate or genital area.

What Causes UTIs?

Most urinary tract infections occur in women and occur when bacteria spread from the vagina to the bladder.

The vagina is easily accessible and contains the highest concentration of urea in the female body. 

Why UTIs Happen?

The bacteria that cause UTIs thrive in warm and moist environments.

Urinary tract infections often occur after using the bathroom, but they can also be triggered by activities that could cause the skin to come into contact with the bacteria.

Although no bacteria can survive in the dry air of a bathroom, bacteria thrive in the moist atmosphere around the rectum, bladder, and urethra.

When you strain while urinating, bacteria from your urinary tract are caught in the back passage and cause an infection.

In some people, these bacteria also colonize inside the bladder, where they may lead to another infection if they migrate to the bladder muscle and grow into hard plug-like formations.

Having difficulty emptying formations that block the bladder.

Preventing UTIs - How to Avoid UTIs

Avoid conditions that make you more susceptible to UTIs. This includes any activities that are particularly likely to cause an infection such as working out, fever, dehydration, vomiting, or excessive sweating. These are all things that can give you a UTI.

Additionally, having chronic UTIs can result in higher chances of getting a kidney infection or type of UTI that is antibiotic resistant, making it harder to treat and much more dangerous.

You can improve your chances of avoiding a UTI by making sure you avoid:

• Consuming large amounts of alcohol
• Having diarrhea often
• Being stressed (to where it’s affecting you physically)
• Travelling when you can’t remain sanitary

It is better to be safe than sorry, but it is important to remember that you will not eliminate your chances of having a UTI completely, although you can reduce them significantly.

5 Ways to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Take a look at this list to see which areas could use improvement, as well as which you could add in to give you the best prevention plan altogether to avoid UTIs.

1. Healthy diet

Diet has a major impact on bladder health.

A diet rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, fiber, and lean protein will help to reduce the risk of contracting UTIs. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables will also boost immunity and improve your overall health.

2. Staying hydrated

We’re all aware of the importance of staying hydrated during exercise. Not to mention the fact that healthy water intake helps to relieve symptoms of UTIs.

Drinking plenty of water will help flush your body of the bacteria that cause UTIs, and if you’re a student or a regular coffee drinker, you might be surprised to learn that drinking plenty of water and coffee actually helps to cure UTIs.

But first and foremost, always drink plenty of water. As you grow older, your kidneys and bladder become more efficient at maintaining your body’s water balance.

Of all the symptoms of an infection, one of the most prevalent is dryness. You might get more thirsty when you are sick or fighting a cold, but you’ll definitely notice that thirst gets worse when you have an infection.

Drinking plenty of water will help prevent dehydration and help keep these infections away.

3. Keep your intimate areas clean

This is a pretty obvious step to take to prevent UTIs, but the problem is that many people don’t do it consistently. To avoid a UTI, you should aim for proper feminine hygiene by keeping your vulva and vagina clean and dry.

You should wash your private parts with water as often as possible and avoid wearing underwear while you do so. If you do wear underwear, make sure that you check your underwear for urine stains regularly.

Also, you should change your sanitary napkin every four to six hours to avoid getting infected by a UTI.

Then, before you have any sexual contact, try to clean your hands for at least 10 seconds. It will keep you from transferring bacteria to your vagina.

It may even be worth it to take a shower before as well, depending on how health-conscious you want to be about it and how much activity you’ve had today overall. Another UTI-preventative trick is to limit your exposure to a partner’s bacteria. Cramming the vulva with your partner’s bacteria can transfer bacteria close enough to cause possible UTIs.

However, find what works best for you to still be clean enough to perform your sexual activities.

4. Use the bathroom whenever you need to

These days, we live in an age where the line between pleasure and necessity is blurry at best. The longer we have to wait for the "perfect" moment, the more stressed and irritated we get. When you feel a slight urge, don’t hold it in! Make sure you’re allowing yourself to go to the bathroom when nature calls.

Every time you wait, you risk building up bacteria that may not even be present yet.

And if you’re having trouble going to the bathroom frequently enough, refer to #2 and drink more water. Even the smallest amount of fluid is better than none. Remember, water is a great way to flush toxins out of your body and flush out waste. You might notice an improved stream of urine after you've been drinking more.

5. Consider cranberry juice (optional)

Cranberry juice is a known antibiotic, and many people opt for it as an added treatment.

One of the main differences between cranberry juice and antibiotics is the duration and dosage. Many cranberry products contain more nutrients and herbs, and even prevent UTIs altogether. In fact, a study done at Kansas University found that cranberries may actually reduce the risk of UTIs.

To sum up, if you have the option to drink cranberry juice instead of antibiotics, do so, as it may help with pain, itching, and gas. But be mindful about your symptoms, how it’s affecting your UTI, and how you feel overall. Always be sure to consult a medical doctor when dealing with any health concerns.

6. Opt for Sanitary-Enhancement

One way to maximize your sanitation in your intimate areas is to use a Bidet or a Bidet Toilet seat. Bidets are gentle on skin while it cleanses and removes waste, rather than smearing it with toilet paper. Opting for this form of sanitation as an addition to your bathroom routine will enhance your cleanliness and help prevent UTIs even better. 

While you’re on the go, you can bring along a travel bidet such as The Pocket Bidet® that will help with UTI symptom relief as well as continue to be an effective method of UTI prevention. With The Pocket Bidet®, you’re able to travel comfortably with a portable bidet and use public restrooms with confidence — without having to share the same bidet with others! 

Overall UTI prevention

To have the best opportunity possible for preventing further UTIs, use a combination of the steps above. Always be mindful of your health, sanitation, and personal hygiene needs. 

You should also consider making the life-altering decision to add the sanitary-enhancement product, The Pocket Bidet®, to help you stay even more comfortable, clean, and confident in your sanitary lifestyle.