4 Things You Can Do to Prevent UTIs
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After you have a baby, peeing just isn’t what it used to be. You know hydrating can help prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI), but you may also worry that the more you chug, the more likely you’ll be to leak.
Take this advice from Craig V. Comiter, M.D., professor of urology at Stanford University School of Medicine, on more ways you can prevent a UTI.
1. Hit the bathroom a lot.
To flush out bacteria, you need to completely empty your bladder, so wait 20 to 30 seconds after you finish peeing, then lean forward and try to pee again. Also remember to urinate before and after sex, and wipe front to back.
2. Drink (the right) cranberry juice.
Studies show that for the 50 to 60 percent of women who get UTIs, the fruit can help keep bacteria from binding to the bladder lining. But choose pure juice, not sugary cranberry-flavored cocktail, which could exacerbate symptoms.
3. Consider preventive antibiotics.
“If you have three or more UTIs per year, a daily low dose dramatically reduces the risk of another infection,” Dr. Comiter says. “And this treatment strategy hasn’t been found to increase the likelihood of antibiotic resistance significantly.” Talk to your doc to get more details.
4. Try a supplement.
Studies have shown that a simple sugar called D-mannose may suppress bacteria. You can find it in an OTC supplement like Uqora, which also has some antioxidant, acidifying, and diuretic properties—all of which can help flush out an infection. It won’t hurt you, so it’s worth a shot!
