Prevention
The best way to prevent a UIT is to follow these simple steps.
1.) Always wipe from front to back after urinating.
2.) Drink enough liquids during a day that your urine is clear and not yellow, gold, or brown in color.
3.) Drink 10-12 ounces of water after sex, this will allow you to urinate later and flush any bacteria that may have gotten inside you out.
4.) Use lube during sex to decrease urethral irritation (It is still important to drink 10-12 ounces of water after sex).
5.) Always ensure you wash anything used for anal penetration before you stick it some place else or do anything else. this will prevent the spread of bacteria.
6.) Avoid coffee, tea, carbonated beverages and alcohol. These can both irritate the bladder and cause a slight amount of bleeding to occur. This bleeding will make your more susceptible to a bacterial infection.
7.) Ensure the urethral opening remains dry and is cleaned, moist environments help bacteria grow.
8.) Cranberries in any form (juice, pill, or dried) will help prevent cystitis by stopping bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall.
Treatment
The treatment for your UTI will be based on the type of infection you have and where it is located. Most treatment consists of a prescribed antibiotic so it is essential that you follow the directions your physician has given you when taking your medication. Even if you no longer have symptoms of an infection, ensure you finish the medication given to you and use it as directed. If you stop treating your infection early some of the bacteria may survive inside your bladder and urethra and cause the infection to flare up again. Further, if you let some of the bacteria survive they become more resistant to antibiotic treatment meaning your next infection will be much harder to cure.
If a bladder infection occurs after you finish up your treatment, you should contact your physician again for re-evaluation.
