Top tips for preventing UTIs

[Spudulike3]

Hi all

I'm incredibly fed up after having yet another UTI that has messed things up for me yet again. Therefore can I request your top tips on UTI prevention?

I know a lot of people have success with D mannose but sadly doesn't work for me. Similarly I've actually given up sex because of it as the antibiotics after sex didn't do anything either.

Please do tell me all you weird wonderful and practical suggestions for avoidance.

Thanks in advance!

Sympathy. If the D-mannose doesn't work for you does that mean you are not getting e.coli infections?

How old are you? I've been prescribed HRT pessaries for recurrent UTIs.

Oh UTIs are the worst. Sympathy OP.

It seems basic, but switching to cotton pants made the biggest difference to me. Also washing underwear / towels etc on a really hot wash.

Cranberry juice! My GP says its just an old wives tale but it certainly seemed to help me..

Check the label though, alot of them are just cranberry-flavoured water with a ton of artificial sweeteners. Ocean Spray original seems to have the highest content of actual fruit juice and the least sweeteners, but there may be a better one out there

Making sure I am well hydrated and weeing often works for me. And especially having some water as soon as I wake up. Basically, never go too long without a drink or a wee

I used to suffer really badly with UTIs as a teenager.

I might've grown out of it but I made a real effort to reduce the risks by:
> Drinking loads of water
> Going for a wee regularly whether I needed one or not
> A glass of Cranberry juice every day
> Loose, cotton underwear
> Washing my fanny after sex every single time
> Not too much sex - I was dating a horn-dog who'd go 5-6 times per day every day, which I put a stop too

Not had a UTI for about 18 years.

Bottle washing after a poo and before/after sex

Scroll down a bit on the link, I use a bidet bottle

bladder-help.com/hygiene-hacks-to-avoid-utis/

@ManyATrueWord not sure which bugs I have as rarely come out in culture annoyingly. Just tried D mannose for three weeks and ended in one of the worst episodes for years. Could be unfortunate coincidence of course but it put me off.

@SeasickAccountant good point. I should make a point of water first thing instead of coffee.

Much as I am a D-mannose fan it only works on one bug.

Vaginal atrophy means increased risks of UTIs. Have you tried an oestrogen gel?

Hiprex to stop the UTI returning, or on flare up and also daily vitamin C

Pint glass of warm water with a teaspoon of bicarb dissolved in it

@Spud - oh gosh, yes, coffee before water is an instant UTI for me. You have to flush the bacteria away before they multiply.

I also second those suggesting vaginal oestrogen, especially if you are menopausal or post- menopausal.

And you do know not to wipe from back to front ?

The one and only thing I did that stopped mine was going for a wee after sex. Every. Single. Time. Even if it was just a dribble and I didn't need it (sorry if TMI). I didn't change any other habits. The only time I've had a UTI in the last 8 years....the one time I didn't wee after sex.

For those asking about vaginal estrogen - I did try it for a few months and went well but I currently have atypical endometrial hyperplasia (pre-cancerous condition) and the gynae consultant is a bit iffy about me using this. We did have a conversation this morning about risk versus benefit so the balance may be tipping

Oh and I'm 44 and pre-menopause by the way. I have Mirena coil which I think is making things worse

I had my mirena out 5 years ago and not a single bout of UTI or thrush since.

Cut out sugar and dairy.
I can get away with clear spirits but no other alcohol.
Water +bicarb.
Counter intuitive but a glass of water before bed = more dilute urine rather than concentrated bug fest.

As you know, cranberry contains d-mannose. Stick with d-mannose but it only works on e-coli.
I take the powder in a small glass of water leave 20 mins then flush with a large glass of water. It stops e coli clinging to the walls of the bladder.

You can get into a thrush/antibiotics/UTI cycle and your bladder needs time to heal.

I always found organic celery soothed inflammation. Don't know why, just something to try.

Also making my own lemon/barley water. Boil organic barley - makes a pink liquid. Squeeze in lemon and a tiny amount of honey to taste.

An anti histamine will calm mast cells and will bring inflammation and pain down. One at bedtime can be helpful if you're in a cycle of pain and need sleep.

Always go for a wee after sex.

Use wipes very, very thoroughly after a bowel movement until absolutely every tiny trace (sorry!) has gone. Paper just doesn't remove the bacteria that cause UTIs.

Lots of water, no coffee or caffeine, low sugar diet. And D-mannose.

These work for me and I used to get regular infections.

@3DayStockpiler Good point about antihistamines. I do sometimes resort to Piriton to be able to sleep. Guess mustn't get too hooked on it though.

I would get your oestrogen levels checked recurrent utis may be down to low oestrogen in which case you'll need vaginal tablets which should really help

All of the above, but the game changer for me was not wearing anything that was tight/rubbed against the area. So no leggings, jeans, tights. Only the loosest trousers or skirts/dresses with stockings and suspenders. Which are really comfortable when you get used to them. And cotton gussets.

The below is experience talking:
Clean diet (ie lots of fruit and veg, low UPF)
Keep off alcohol, stay hydrated (lots of water)
Wash bits before sex
During sex, absolutely no back door foraging (with fingers, face, appendages) that then go back to front door
forget cranberry juice - commercial stuff is too sugary

if you’ve had lots of UTIs and antibiotics, have a high dose probiotic