How Can UTI Be Prevented?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Here are the few precautions for recurrent UTI prevention. 1. Maintain good hygiene by wipe front to back. Always wipe from the front to the back after using the bathroom. Do not try to reach from behind because germs from the rectum can be transferred to the hand and tissue. 2.Try to empty the bladder at least every 4 hours during the day while awake, even if the need or urge to void is absent. 3.Do not wear tight-fitting undergarments made of nonbreathing materials. With such fabrics, accumulating moisture builds up .This leads to maceration of the skin and bacterial over growth adjacent to the opening of the bladder Cotton underwear for general use is suggested. 4.Drink more water. Start with 1 extra glass with each meal. If the urine appears any darker than a very pale yellow, this means not enough liquid is being ingested; increase the fluid intake. 5.Cranberry juice and cranberry pills have unproven benefit in reducing urinary infections. They appear to be most effective in younger women. 6.When engaging in physical activity and exercise, make sure to empty the bladder frequently and drink plenty of water and other fluids. 7.Take special precautions after sexual activity; such activity may also increase risk because it can introduce bacteria into the bladder area. The bladder should be emptied after intercourse; drink 2 extra glasses of water. 8.Avoid the use of spermicidal jelly. This kills sperm as well as normal vaginal florae, which are extremely important in suppressing colonization with pathogenic bacteria. 9.An estrogen vaginal cream may help increase resistance to bladder infections. An estrogen cream for the vagina may be suggested for women after menopause even if an oral estrogen supplement or patch has already been prescribed. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.