{"id":21664,"date":"2023-07-25T10:10:01","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T08:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=21664"},"modified":"2023-07-21T10:16:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T08:16:38","slug":"peeing-after-sex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth About UTIs &#038; Peeing After Sex"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most women have been told they must pee after sex&#8230; or else!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By &#8216;or else&#8217;, we mean you might get a gnarly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/uti-troubles-turn-to-nature\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">urinary tract infection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But, how true is this advice? Does peeing after sex make a difference when it comes to preventing UTIs or is that just an old wive\u2019s tale?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discover whether or not peeing after sex really makes that much of a difference when it comes to preventing UTIs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Do We Mean by \u201cSex\u201d?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First things first, let\u2019s clear up what we mean by saying \u201cpee after sex\u201d. In this context, sex means any activity that could potentially increase your risk of developing a UTI thanks to exposure to bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Penetrative sex with a toy or penis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Masturbating with your hands or toys<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receiving oral sex<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anal sex<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manual stimulation \u201cfingering\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genital contact with or without penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Does Peeing After Sex Prevent UTIs?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter how you\u2019re having sex, there\u2019s probably a lot of friction and foreign objects around, all of which can increase your risk of bacteria spreading to your urethra (where pee comes from).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bacteria that are normally found in all different areas of the body can turn into a nasty infection if they reach your urethra, and travel further up your urinary tract to your bladder, and potentially to the kidneys.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UTIs tend to be more common in women thanks to anatomy. The urethra is closer to the anus than it is for people with penises. That means there\u2019s a shorter distance that bacteria have to travel to reach the urethra and cause an infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is where the idea of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/peeing-after-sex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">peeing after sex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comes in. Peeing acts as a power washer to clear out any germs that have made it into your urethra before they have the chance to develop into an infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s the idea at least \u2013 but is it actually true? Yes and no.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most gynecologists back up the idea of peeing after sex, and many people with vulvas will anecdotally say that it works. That being said, researchers have not been able to prove that peeing after sex always prevents UTIs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How To Prevent UTIs<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While scientific studies don\u2019t clearly back up the idea of peeing after sex, it may help you if you&#8217;re prone to UTIs. Healthcare providers recommend urinating within 30 minutes of having sex to help prevent infection. Peeing isn\u2019t the only way you can prevent post-sex UTIs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some other tips to prevent UTIs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drink plenty of fluids before and after sex.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thoroughly clean and sanitize sex toys.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take probiotics and eat probiotic-rich food like yogurt and fermented vegetables.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t switch from the anus to the vagina\/vulva whether it\u2019s a toy or penis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wipe from front to back when you pee.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask your provider if your birth control may be contributing to frequent UTIs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What To Do When You Get a UTI<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes UTIs are unavoidable, common symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Burning when you urinate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The constant urge to pee<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cloudy urination<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do get a UTI, it can sometimes be treated at home through the use of supplements <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and probiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your symptoms continue or worsen, or you experience ones like pain in your lower back and\/or fever, it\u2019s important to seek medical care immediately as these can be signs of a more serious infection. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kidney infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can develop and lead to serious complications quickly, so it\u2019s important to seek medical care ASAP if you have symptoms of one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind that if you had sex and are experiencing burning while urinating, it might not necessarily be a UTI. Irritation of the vulva and inside the vagina can also occur if you have a sensitivity to the condoms, spermicide, or lubricant that you used. There\u2019s also a chance it could be an STI, so you may need to get tested.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Don\u2019t Forget Protection!<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While we have you here, we figured it\u2019s a good idea to throw in a friendly reminder about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/redefining-safe-sex\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">safer sex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. UTIs aren\u2019t the only thing to keep on your radar when having sex. Practicing safer sex also means taking steps to help prevent the transmission of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/sti-101-your-questions-answered\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexually transmitted infections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (STIs).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can practice safer sex by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting tested before and after having sex with a new partner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/how-to-tell-someone-about-sti\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communicating<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if one of you has an STI.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using barrier protection like condoms or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/whats-the-deal-with-dental-dams\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dental dams<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sanitizing toys between partners or using condoms with them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do happen to get an STI, it\u2019s probably not a big deal. Most STIs can be treated through antibiotics, and typically <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/normalizing-sti-stigma-vs-reality\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the stigma is worse than the condition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Peeing After Sex \u2013 What to Remember<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s the verdict? We all have to pee sooner or later so you may as well pee after sex anyways. We get it, sometimes you fall asleep before you get a chance to, and if you don\u2019t tend to get UTIs, you\u2019ll probably be fine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peeing after sex is not scientifically proven to prevent UTIs, but many people find it helpful, although there are other things you can do to help prevent them. If you do experience recurrent UTIs, whether or not you pee after sex, it\u2019s important to see your medical provider as they can potentially lead to serious complications.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most women have been told they must pee after sex&#8230; or else!\u00a0 By &#8216;or else&#8217;, we mean you might get a gnarly urinary tract infection. But, how true is this&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":18606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[211,392],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.12 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Truth About UTIs &amp; Peeing After Sex - Intimina<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Natasha Weiss\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Natasha Weiss\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b6c60ecf47ec06a36c4b2f175253c5ff\"},\"headline\":\"The Truth About UTIs &#038; Peeing After Sex\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-07-25T08:10:01+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-07-21T08:16:38+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/\"},\"wordCount\":901,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"sexual health\",\"sexual aftercare\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Sexual Wellness\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/\",\"name\":\"The Truth About UTIs & Peeing After Sex - Intimina\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2023-07-25T08:10:01+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-07-21T08:16:38+00:00\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/peeing-after-sex\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Intimina\",\"description\":\"A Health and Wellness Resource for Women\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Intimina\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/INTIMINA_logo-02.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/INTIMINA_logo-02.png\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":543,\"caption\":\"Intimina\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/intimina\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intimina\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/intimina\/\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/intimina\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCR_3_GPO6pkhDiFU9TZRdYA\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b6c60ecf47ec06a36c4b2f175253c5ff\",\"name\":\"Natasha Weiss\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b65d7a92be626bc22ff8eb7ad41dbf0c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b65d7a92be626bc22ff8eb7ad41dbf0c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Natasha Weiss\"},\"description\":\"Natasha (she\/her) is a full-spectrum doula and health+wellness copywriter. 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