The urinary tract consists of ureters, kidneys, urethra, and the bladder. An infection occurring in any of these parts is called urinary tract infection or UTI. Anyone who has once had the infection would know how important it is to prevent it from happening again. Thankfully, there are several preventive measures that one can take to avoid getting a reinfection.

Here are some of the effective UTI prevention tips:

1. Wipe in a front to back motion
The rectum is home to E.coli. Therefore, to prevent the transfer of bacteria, one must wipe their genitals in front-to-back motion once they are done using the washroom. This practice will help one prevent infecting the urethra with E.coli bacteria, present in the anus. This becomes especially an important practice if one has diarrhea.

2. Stay hydrated
Consuming sufficient fluids throughout the day can help you prevent UTIs. Staying hydrated means one will pass urine more frequently, which helps in removing bacteria from the urinary tract. Drinking water is the best option. Anything from six to eight glasses of water per day will help one achieve the goal. If water is not the first choice, one can alternatively choose to stay hydrated using sparkling water, milk, decaffeinated and herbal tea, and fruit or vegetable smoothie. One must also stay away from alcohol and caffeine. These can irritate the bladder.

3. Urinate frequently
When one holds urine for long hours, it allows the bacteria to grow. Avoid holding one’s urine for more than three to four hours. Also, make sure each time one urinates, they empty the bladder. This becomes even more important during pregnancy because pregnant women have a higher chance of contracting a UTI. So, holding back urine for long hours can increase the chances of a UTI.

4. Don’t use scented products
There are over 50 different types of microbes found in the vagina. Out of these, there are many bacteria known as lactobacilli. These are essential to maintain vaginal health. However, due to the use of scented products, the balance between the vaginal bacteria can get disrupted and it can lead to overgrowth of harmful bacteria. As a result, problems such as UTIs, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis can occur. To keep these problems at bay, one must stay away from products such as deodrant, scented tampons, scented powders, etc.

5. Urinate before and after intercourse
Intercourse can increase the chances of getting a UTI, especially in women. Sex increases the chances of bacteria entering the urethra. Therefore, to prevent UTI, one must urinate before and after having intercourse. This will help one get rid of the UTI-causing bacteria. It is also essential to clean the genital area before having intercourse.