The Health Benefits of Peeing After Sex

If you have a vagina, you might have heard that peeing should be the first item on your after-sex to-do list. It may be one of those familiar rules, but you're not quite sure of the why.

The truth is that while peeing after sex may be helpful, it's not the end of the world if you don't do it right away or simply don't need to go. Here's what you need to know about the benefits of peeing after sex, plus the experts' answers to some common questions.

Is Peeing After Sex Necessary?

Peeing after sex hasn't been shown to have any definite health benefits, so it is not something most healthcare providers would say is necessary, Lauren E. Stewart, MD, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery specialist at NYU Langone Health, told Health.

However, Dr. Stewart said it's unlikely to be harmful, so if you feel better when you pee after sex, there's no need to stop.

Find out whether peeing after sex has any effect on your chances of developing an infection or getting pregnant.

UTIs

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when excess bacteria build up in the urinary tract, causing inflammation. Sexual intercourse is an independent risk factor for the development of UTIs, South Florida-based gynecologist oncologist Jonathan D. Black, MD, told Health.

"Because the female urethra is in closer proximity to the vagina and anus, bacteria are more likely to enter the urethra," Dr. Black explained. "This makes women susceptible to UTIs—in fact, up to 30 times more susceptible than their male counterparts," added Dr. Black.

Also, people with vaginas have shorter urethras than people with penises, which shortens the distance bacteria must travel to reach the bladder. This is another reason people with vaginas have a greater susceptibility to UTIs, says the Office of Women's Health.

Dr. Black said that peeing after sex may help to decrease the likelihood of developing a UTI, but there's no high-quality research to suggest that this actually prevents them. If you have recurrent UTIs and believe sex may be a trigger, Dr. Black recommended that you make a postcoital trip to the bathroom.

"The only lifestyle changes that have been shown to reliably reduce the risk of UTIs are drinking at least 1.5 liters of plain water per day and avoiding spermicides," Dr. Stewart explained. And since many common condom brands contain spermicide, be sure to check the box.

However, Dr. Stewart advised that flushing bacteria out of the urinary tract to prevent infections makes sense. Urinating after sex may help to flush out bacteria that have entered the lower urinary tract during sex, and that's the thought behind why it might prevent UTIs," said Dr. Stewart.

A 2021 review in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America says that other things you can do to help prevent UTIs are to always wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom, avoid long periods of time in wet bathing suits or workout clothing, and take over-the-counter cranberry supplements. Douching can also increase the risk of UTIs, so that's something to avoid.

STIs

"People contract STIs [sexually transmitted infections] by absorbing bacteria during sexual intercourse," said Dr. Black. "Voiding after intercourse will not prevent these bacteria from entering the body," cautioned Dr. Black.

This is because STIs in people having vaginal intercourse, generally speaking, are infections in the vagina, Dr. Stewart explained. "Urinating after sex will not flush bacteria or viruses out of the vagina since the urinary opening is separate from the vaginal opening.

Using barrier contraceptives (i.e., condoms) is the most effective method for preventing STIs. Dr. Stewart recommended getting yourself and your sexual partners tested for STIs frequently.

Pregnancy

Of course, some people want to improve their chances of getting pregnant, while others want to avoid getting pregnant. And you might consider peeing (or not peeing) after sex as one of the strategies for helping you achieve the desired outcome.

Urinating after sex will not prevent pregnancy—even if you go only seconds after ejaculation. When somebody with a penis and somebody with a vagina has penetrative sex, ejaculate is released into the vaginal canal. But urine comes from the urethra—a completely separate opening. So releasing pee won't get anything out of your vagina, Dr. Stewart explained.

"To reliably prevent pregnancy, you should use approved contraceptives, the most effective of which are prescribed by a healthcare provider (things like IUDs, implants, and contraceptive pills)," said Dr. Stewart.

If you're trying to get pregnant and want to do everything you can to make it happen, you may have heard that waiting a few minutes before you get up (whether that's to go to the bathroom or somewhere else) helps sperm reach their target (an egg).

A 2020 review published in the journal Fertility Research and Practice examined whether 15 minutes of rest following an insemination procedure improved the likelihood of pregnancy. The authors said the research results are mixed and suggested that "given the negligible risks and potential benefit, some providers may recommend post-procedural rest."

So, lying down for a short time after sex is unlikely to help you get pregnant, but it won't hurt your chances either.

What To Do About a Burning Sensation When You Pee After Sex

It's not uncommon to experience a mild, temporary burning sensation when you pee after sex, and it's usually nothing to worry about. "It's very likely nothing more than irritation of the urethra or urinary drainage tube, which sits right next to the vagina in female anatomy," explained Dr. Stewart.

Often, the burning resolves on its own. But if you experience additional urinary symptoms like severe urgency, frequency, fevers, chills, or back pain, you should contact a healthcare provider.

If your urine is cloudy, appears red or pink, or smells foul or strong, you may have a UTI, which is treatable with prescription antibiotics. The time from exposure to the development of symptoms can vary depending on the bacteria, said Dr. Black, but generally is between three and seven days. In other words, a UTI triggered by sex won't cause symptoms directly after intercourse.

Dr. Black also pointed out that there are a variety of causes of burning after intercourse—ranging from anatomical makeup to infectious causes. "Only a thorough history and physical examination can determine the exact cause of burning during voiding after intercourse," Dr. Black said.

A Quick Review

It turns out that it's entirely up to you whether or not you should pee after sex. It won't prevent STDs or pregnancy. Drinking plenty of water, paying attention to hygiene, and peeing (when you feel that you need to, not just after sex) help flush bacteria from the urinary tract, which can help prevent a UTI.