3 Ways To Avoid Post-sex Urinary Tract and Yeast Infections

We've heard it a million times: Always pee after sex to avoid a urinary tract infection (UTI). Okay, but what else should you do following intercourse, and how exactly do these habits keep your vagina healthy? Sara Twogood, MD, an ob-gyn at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, CA, suggested this three-step regimen.

Try To Pee After Sex

Even if your bladder isn't full, try to pee anyway—your urine stream will help flush out bacteria from your urethra, the short tube that carries pee out of your body. UTIs happen when bacteria that normally live in the vagina or colon get inadvertently pushed into the urethra during sexual activity. E. coli, which usually lives in the colon, is the primary bacterial culprit behind UTIs, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine,

Post-sex peeing is especially important if you're prone to UTIs. Even if you're lucky enough to have never dealt with this common infection, do yourself a favor and try to go to the bathroom after having sex. First, gently wash your genitals and then pee shortly after, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Lowering your odds of UTI symptoms such as pain and blood in your urine will be well worth the two-minute hike to the bathroom.

Wipe Away Excess Moisture

Sex can be wet and messy. Semen, sweat, lubricant, and vaginal fluids are all reasons you're damp. So, it's a smart idea to grab a towel or wad up toilet paper and wipe away the excess moisture. Bacteria and yeast thrive in moist conditions, and not drying off can increase your odds of developing a yeast infection.

"Moisture is something we want to avoid, especially women who are prone to yeast infections," said Dr. Twogood. No need to wipe hard or towel off vigorously; blotting your external genitals dry will do the trick. If you feel as if you need a more intense wipe-down, wash with plain water and unscented soap and dry thoroughly.

"The vagina, with its natural secretions and acidic environment," will cleanse itself, also. "You don't need to do anything after sex to 'clean' it out,'" said Dr. Twogood.

Don't Wear Underwear

Wear a nightgown or loose, breathable pajama bottoms if you don't want to sleep naked. Just keep the clingy panties off until morning, or you might set yourself up for an infection. Not wearing underwear helps air out your vagina and lets it breathe, decreasing the risk of a yeast infection or another itchy condition.

If you want to wear underwear, Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends cotton underwear to help keep the area dry and prevent trapping moisture where unwanted bacteria may grow.

If Your Vagina Feels Weird, Pay Attention

If you've tried the three tips above and something still feels off, call your healthcare provider. Listen to your body after sex, and note any discomfort, itching, pain, or bleeding. Then, depending on how long the symptoms last or if you have another reason to be worried—say you forgot to use a condom and are concerned about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—your healthcare provider can advise you if you should be seen or not.