In this post, I'll share some tips for preventing UTIs. I'm one of the lucky ones who experience recurring UTIs. I've tried a lot of things, and this is what works best for me.
UTIs are caused when bacteria (usually E.coli) gets into the urethra (where you pee) and travels up to the bladder. The bacteria sink their sharp little selves into the bladder wall, causing irritation and pain. Minimizing the urethra's exposure to bacteria is key for preventing infection. Ways to minimize exposure include:
- Urinating after a bath or swimming (and skipping the bubbles).
- Urinating soon after sex.
- Cleansing ALL the private parts before sex (both partners).
- Wiping front to back.
Remember that the bacteria E.coli generally comes from your digestive tract, which gets eliminated very near the opening of the urethra.
It's also important to practice these precautions:
- Drink plenty of water and urinate often so the bacteria don't have time to get cozy in your bladder.
- Empty the bladder completely each time.
- Avoid scented feminine products, including bubble baths.
For a lot of women, sex is the most common way to develop a UTI. This is the method that has worked the best for me:
1. Cleanse thoroughly before sex (both partners).
2. Urinate very soon after sex.
3. Take D-Mannose and cranberry pills either before or right after sex, and the day after.
4. Consistent use of femdophilus probiotics for healthy vaginal microbiome.
Cranberry and D-Mannose discourage the bacteria from latching on to the bladder wall. It's important to note that traditional cranberry juice is NOT strong enough to be useful. Most cranberry juice at the grocery store has a low percentage of actual fruit juice and is full of sugar (which encourages bacteria to grow). If you want to try cranberry juice, you need to get a pure juice from a health food store. It's very tart, which is why most people prefer the pills.
Femdophilus is a probiotic specifically for maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome, which will help fight off bad bacteria. Just like our gut needs good bacteria to fight off the bad bacteria, so does our lady parts!
You can also get a combination of D-Mannose, cranberry, and probiotics in one pill. The probiotic is different than what's in the femdophilus but can be helpful. I don't use this personally because my body didn't like it.
Getting a foot zone can also be very helpful in preventing or treating a bladder infection. I have heard of people using D-Mannose to clear up an active infection. You can also try drinking The Brew (which helps with any kind of infection). I will be the first to admit that when it comes to UTIs, I'm a giant wuss. I've had enough to know when it's gone far enough that I need an antibiotic. I try to avoid antibiotics as much as possible, but when it comes to a raging UTI...I don't hesitate!
To rebuild my gut after a round of antibiotics, I do a week of Bio-K+ probiotic, once a day. Then I do a month of Inner-Eco probiotics, once a day. I choose these probiotics because they are non-dairy and have been known to have better cultures because they stay refrigerated.
Each body is unique and requires different tools to create health and wellness. Hopefully some of these suggestions will be helpful to you in your journey to health!
