 |
IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Not Cooties, But UTIs!
by Christy Brownlee
Revised by Jennifer Johnsen, 02.06.07
Many sexually transmitted infections can have the same symptoms as a UTI, so don't diagnose yourself. |
|
If you're a girl, and especially if you're sexually active, chances are good that at some point you'll feel the painful irritation that signals the beginning of a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Watch out — you're under attack! UTIs are usually caused by bacteria that have spread from the rectum to the urethra — the opening and tube from which women and men urinate. And sometimes the bacteria spreads to the bladder.
UTIs are no laughing matter — they can make you feel lousy, at the very least, and send you to the hospital for a long, unwelcome stay, at worst. But the more you know about preventing and treating a UTI, the less likely it is that you'll ever have to suffer from one. Read on to see what you can do when bacteria attack!
How Did I Get This Infection?
Bacteria from the rectum that comes in contact with the urethra causes most UTIs. Anything, from sex play to toilet water backsplash can make that happen. Sexually transmitted infections can cause UTIs, too.
Sex is also an easy way to get foreign bacteria into the urethral opening. Any kind of sex play that brings fecal material into contact with the vagina and urethra can cause a UTI. Because the urethra is so close to the anus in women and because women have very short urethras, it's easy to accidentally transfer fecal bacteria to the urethral opening, especially in sex that involves vaginal and anal play or oral and anal play.
How Will I Know I Have a UTI?
"It was killer painful! And it burned like a demon," says Kate, a 17-year-old student, of her first UTI. "My mother noticed that all I did was go to the bathroom, so she took me to the nurse practitioner."
Kate's experience is pretty typical. Some common UTI symptoms include:
- burning pain during urination
- the urge to urinate when the bladder is nearly empty
- a frequent urge to urinate, especially at night
- involuntary loss of urine
- lower abdominal pain or back pain
- blood and pus in urine
- fever
What to Do
Many sexually transmitted infections can have the same symptoms as a UTI, so don't diagnose yourself. See your health care provider, or call 1-800-230-PLAN, to schedule an appointment at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center. A clinician can diagnose the problem and give you medicine to relieve the pain and stop the infection. To prevent future UTIs, follow these tips:
- Drink when you are thirsty.
- Urinate as soon as you feel the urge.
- Drink unsweetened cranberry juice.
- Urinate immediately before and after intercourse.
- Avoid using any sexual position that seems to trigger UTIs.
- Keep the pubic area clean and dry.
- Use latex or female condoms during vaginal or anal intercourse.
- Use lubricants during vaginal intercourse — especially if the vagina is dry.
Some women who are susceptible to frequent UTIs take antibiotics to prevent infections when they have sexual intercourse.
|
|
|
|
Printable Version
Email this page