What are some specific ways for women to prevent UTI's?

More women are diagnosed with urinary tract infections (UTIs) than men. The reason is because a woman's urethra (opening to the bladder) is shorter than a man's, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder.

There are some simple things that women can do to help prevent urinary tract infections:

1)    Be sure to drink plenty of water every day.  Water helps to flush out your urinary tract, and thus, help keep bacteria from “settling in” and growing.

2)    You should always wipe from the front to the back when you urinate and/or have a bowel movement. This helps prevent bacteria from your colon and rectum from being pulled toward your urethra (bladder opening).

3)    When you first feel the urge to empty your bladder, you should act! Don’t wait to urinate. Women tend to put off their own needs to help others and by holding your urine too long, you may keep unwanted bacteria in the bladder longer, and therefore, possibly creating an opportunity for a urinary tract infection to develop.

4)    Some of the over-the-counter sprays and douches, especially those that are scented, can cause an irritation of urethra and allow bacteria or other infections to invade and develop. These should be avoided, and if you feel that you need a product like these, you may need to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to be sure that you are taking the proper treatment.

5)    Some suggest that drinking cranberry juice, which is very acidic, can help prevent a urinary tract infection, and even shorten the course if you already have a UTI. This is because cranberry juice is acidic, and bacteria don’t thrive well in an acidic environment. If you do this, it is recommended that you drink at least two, 4 ounce glasses a day.

6)    Wearing underwear that have a cotton crotch can help keep moisture away from your body, and your urethra, which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Some healthcare providers even suggest that wearing a thong can increase the incidence of e coli (a common bacteria found in the colon) transmission toward the urethra, as it fits snugly between the buttocks, next to the skin.

7)    Finally, if you suffer from frequent UTIs, or if you are interested in preventing them from occurring, try to go to the bathroom and urinate as soon after intercourse as possible. This helps to flush any potential bacteria from the urethra that may have been present in the vaginal/urethral area.