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Voiding & sex

Many years ago it was believed that voiding (urinating) before and after having intercourse will guard against developing a urinary tract infection (UTI), sending women running in and out of bathrooms at a frantic pace.

But was it urine in the system that caused the infection, or the penis’ rubbing/chafing the underside of the urethra (urine tube)?

Everything that is inserted into the vagina will slide against the underside of the urethra = an anatomical fact.   In some cases, this natural rubbing will cause irritation that may develop into a urinary tract infection, but it has nothing to do with urine that is housed in the bladder!

The most current medical research about this very topic (Recurrent urinary tract infection in women) states the following:

  • Many factors thought to predispose to recurrent UTI in women, such as pre-and post-coital voiding patterns, frequency of urination, wiping patterns, and douching have not been proven to be risk factors for UTI.
  • Strategies to prevent recurrent UTI in young women should include education about the association of recurrent UTI with the frequency of sexual intercourse and the usage of spermicide-containing products.

Ladies, enjoy your sexual intimacy and save the running to the bathroom for when your bladder is full.

About The Author

vaginismus specialist Dr. Ditza Katz team member Women's Therapy Center
  • Scottie Mosiman November 25, 2012 at 12:13 pm / Reply

    Urinary tract infection can lead to kidney infection if not treated earlier. ,

  • Sam ENG November 15, 2012 at 12:40 pm / Reply

    I suffer from frequent urinary tract infections (unfortunately I would get one about 50% of the time after intercourse–even after urinating directly afterwards). I started taking Lady Soma’s Cranberry Supplement (the maximum of 4 a day) only when I had intercourse, or when I felt a UTI coming on (although once I felt it coming on, it was sometimes too late). My UTIs are way down from how frequently I was getting them without the lady soma cranberry supplement. I have lost my health insurance and was concerned about the expense of having to go to the doctor or ER for UTI’s, so I began taking 2 pills a day (and 4 on the days that I have intercourse), and have not had a problem since.

  • incostress December 29, 2009 at 5:17 pm / Reply

    I love your website and your blog. I will start news letters which will go to the medical profession in the UK, would you be interested in contributing some of this material for the newsletter. Of course anything printed would have thanks and link back to you. Please email me [email protected]

  • UTI September 7, 2009 at 11:30 am / Reply

    urinary tract infection(UTI) is a fatal desease so that everyone should be aware of this problem.Many years ago it was believed that voiding (urinating) before and after having intercourse will guard against developing a urinary tract infection (UTI) , sending women running in and out of bathrooms in a frantic pace.But was it urine in the system that caused the infection, or the penis’ rubbing/chafing the underside of the urethra (urine tube)?

    • womentc September 7, 2009 at 3:28 pm / Reply

      Urinary tract infection is easily treated with medication/; it is far from deadly, unless left untreated and ‘allowed’ to compromised other systems in the body.

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