Urinary Tract Infection

Prevention

Prevention of a UTI centers on keeping the urine moving through the urinary tract and avoiding bacterial contamination of the urethra. Recommendations include:

• Drink plenty of water every day to flush out the urinary system
• Urinate as needed; don’t hold urine in for extended periods of time
• After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back to keep stool bacteria away from the urethra
• Avoid irritants to the urethra – avoid bubble baths if prone to recurrent UTIs, take showers instead of baths, and rinse soap off thoroughly
• Urinate after sexual intercourse; this may help rinse out any bacteria that may have come in contact with the urethra
• Avoid tight clothing and wear cotton underwear – it breathes and won’t trap moisture like some synthetic fibers
• Drink cranberry juice – some doctors recommend this to their patients. It may help prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urethra.