His and Her Health

I am 32 years old, I have been sexually active for about 13 years. My first husband (first sexual partner) and I never "clicked" sexually in my mind, sex just wasn't what I imagined it could be for all those years until we divorced. I've been seeing someone else for about 3 years now and sex is totally what I imagined it should be. I am so satisfied and so is he! Except...I've been contracting UTI's more frequently after sex with him. It's very frustrating because I want to have sex more frequently, but I'm also afraid of continually getting UTI's. I went to GYN after I got my second one in close proximity to the last one (couple months) to make sure I didn't have a kidney infection or something. She prescribed antibiotic again and said nothing was wrong. She also suggested that I might want to take one antibiotic pill each time I have sex to ward off the UTI. Any opinions? I usually take a few weeks to "recover" and feel normal about having sex again after I have a UTI and I just want to be normal!!! I pee B4 and after sex, I even started showering to make myself clean. I know, I know, I probably should drink more water too. I'll be better about that for sure. I've also found some blueberry/cranberry capsules I've been taking off and on. Sex is great, but afterward I just often feel like, ugh, I hope I'm not getting a UTI....<P>------------------<BR>God Bless America

You probably already know all of this, but just in case, I found this on the web. This might seem silly and obvious, but many women don't know this tip: "Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement or urination". I used to have a similar problem to yours, but I haven't had it in years.<P>Tips for Preventing Urinary Tract Infections<BR> <BR>The most important tip to prevent urinary tract infections, bladder infections, and kidney infections is to practice good personal hygiene. Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement or urination, and wash the skin around and between the rectum and vagina daily. Washing before and after sexual intercourse may also decrease a woman's risk of UTI.<BR> <BR>Drinking plenty of fluids (water) each day will help flush bacteria out of the urinary system and emptying the bladder as soon as the urge to urinate occurs may also help to decrease the risk of bladder infection or UTI. Some physicians recommend urinating before and after sex as well as a mean of flushing out any bacteria that may enter the urethra during sexual intercourse.<BR> <BR>Vitamin C makes the urine acidic and helps to reduce the number of potentially harmful bacteria in the urinary tract system.<BR> <BR>Wear only panties with a cotton crotch--cotton allows moisture to escape whereas other materials may trap moisture and create a potential breeding ground for bacteria.<BR> <BR>Cranberry juice often helps to reduce frequency of bladder infections. Cranberry herbal supplements are available over-the-counter and many women find they work amazingly quickly when an UTI has occurred, however, a physician's diagnosis is still necessary even if cranberry juice or herbals reduce pain or symptoms.<BR> <BR>If you experience frequent urinary tract infections changing sexual positions that cause less friction on the urethra may help. Some physicians prescribe an antibiotic to be taken immediately following sex for women who tend to have frequent UTIs.<BR> <BR><A HREF="womenshealth.about.com/library/weekly/aa121798.htm" TARGET=_blank>womenshealth.about.com/library/weekly/aa121798.htm</A>

You mentioned you are getting UTI's much more frequently with this partner than in your past. You may also consider HIS personal hygene. Try having him urinate before sex, to remove any sweat or dirt buildup that might be lodged in his urethra. He should then WASH with a mild, antibacterial soap. Make sure he's not using *any* lotions or jock-itch meds, and if he is he needs to completely wash before intercourse. Also, he should wash his hands with the same soap, and use no lotions, etc.<P>

Make HIM wash...hey that's a great idea! I know it's not the wiping thing, I've been doing that right for years. All the other stuff I've been doing too, but washing him is definitely worth a try!!! Thanks!

Did the doctor determine which organism is the culprit? Since it seems to correlate with sex with your partner, it may be that he is passing a fungus like candida albicans to you.<P>That was an occasional problem for my wife and me for years and I was the source of it. We have eventually overcame it when she began taking testosterone and became less tight and better lubricated, (therefore less abrasion) and I underwent a systemic regime to irradicate the fungus.<P>Now, you did say UTI, so it unlikely that it is a fungus, but just in case you haven't explored that possibility. My main point is that the man CAN be the carrier.<P><p>[This message has been edited by Pilgrim (edited 16 January 2003).]

It actually is 100% cotton panties not just the crotch. Save the sexy, nylon, polyester just for POSING. The synthetics trap moisture and heat and that is a problem. And change them frequently! This info has been posted here often before. I have to use only PURE glycerin soap with no perfumes, on my genitals. I used Pears for a while but found a much cheaper drugstore brand.<p>[This message has been edited by the siren (edited 17 January 2003).]

One other thing that can help is Acidophilus pills (health food or drug store )They help restore the GOOD bacteria that keeps the vaginha healthy.

I posted a similar response to a woman with painful sex, but it is relevant here, too. I used to have occasional UTIs and knew that sex can irritate the urethra and help send bacteria up inside it. I more recently learned that men who are circumcised rub in-and-out during sex much more than men with a foreskin. The foreskin actually stays in one place while the penis moves in and out. To mimic this, my hubby just presses against me with shorter, gentler strokes, and voila! No pain and great orgasms! See the book, 'Sex as Nature Intended it'.

I MUST agree with siren, I used to get UTI's after sex as well, I found the ALL cotton panties stopped the UTI. My experience: when I switched from nylon (with a cotton crotch) to ALL cotton it felt strange and kinda bulky at first, only because the nylon is slky smooth and forms to the body (so to speak). I evenually got used to the ALL cotton and now I wouldn't go back to nylon. Yes the cotton does "breath" better, even though you have a cotton crotch in the nylon, the nylon still holds the moister. Also my hubby washes and pees before and after sex. With that combo, the UTI's disappeared. Good Luck<P>------------------<BR><BR>TOOTIE

About UTI. <P>Hello Everyone! I am knew here. I am really confused and scared. I just had sex for the first time with a condom 3 times in the last week. The last time was Monday Night. I was fine Tues. and Wed. Tonight at work I had to go to the bathroom real bad. I couldn't help it I Had to go. So I went and everything went fine up until 10 mins after I had gone to the bathroom. Within that 10 mins or less. I had this urge to go to the bathroom again. So I did. and It hurt like no other after I had gone. It was unbelieve how painful it was. Like nothing i ever expirenced. I had never had this trouble before. I had the pain and the going to the bathroom and it burtning but it last only 20-30 mins and then it went away. And this time We used a condom and I don't know why it would do something like this. It hurts so bad everytime I go to the bathroom I only go a little tiny bit but after that it just feels like I need to "Push" To get the pain out as it is being painful. I Just wanna cry and did the first few times. PLEASE if anyone has any suggestions let me know. I am going to call the doctor tomarrow. I am so young and new though I needed others oppions. THANKS

Sounds like you might have a UTI as well. For quick relief you can pick up AZO in your local pharmacy, it is over the counter, and is not that expensive. (FYI, once you take it, your urine will be a bright orange)<P>When I lost my virginity, I had frequent UTI's and the occasional yeast infection. Look back over the posts above for some tips about warding off UTI's, but one thing you may want to keep in mind, is that when you do have sex for the first time there is a good chance that you will tear in your vaginal area, these tears are a great place for bacteria to hide out, warm moist areas.<P>So I would recommend getting with your gyno to see what is wrong.<P>Another thing, TALK with your partner. Keep those communication lines open, in cases like this trying to explain what is wrong with you may be embarrassing, but tell him. Just as the people above stated, he may be the culprit, not you.<P>Also one last thing, you might be allergic to latex. Your gyno can help out with your options if you are.<P>Good luck!!