Lifestyle Issues and Prevention of Recurrent UTIs

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Photo by Imani Clovis on Unsplash

Photo by Imani Clovis on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Doctors say “It’s uncomfortable but not life-threatening, so women don’t go in”. Recurrent UTIs are mostly caused by frequent sexual intercourse, heterosexual lack of circumcision receptive anal intercourse (or sodomy) without a condom, multiple sexual partners (each sex partner shares his/her urogenital microbiota with the other), use of spermicide with condoms or after sexual intercourse; sexual intercourse with addicted partners, sex workers, with a new sex partner within less than 2 months. However, UTI prevention is necessary as renal scarring, low birth weight, fetal growth restrictions, neonatal UTIs, premature labor, miscarriage, hypertension, preeclampsia, septic shock, malformation, anorectal malformation and increased incidence of death in the womb are reported in several studies. Circumcision, glycemic control in diabetes, following rituals (especially, sitting to urinate, taking water after urination, voiding, washing and bathing after intercourse, avoiding pre- or extra- marital sex), avoiding spicy food, certain dairy products (like market available ice creams/raita salads in hotel-restaurants are storehouse of E. coli), sweet fizzy drinks, alcohol found helpful in individuals susceptible to UTIs.