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Does Unprotected Intercourse Cause UTI?

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Posted on Fri, 22 Jan 2016
Question: I have a UTI which I saw a doctor for, and I'm on Cipro for 5 days. I'm just wondering if my boyfriend who is NOT curcumsized, could have passed on hidden bacteria from his foreskin??
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Other causes are more likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

If your boyfriend's hygiene is inadequate or he has any infection of the glans or foreskin, this could contribute to increased risk of a UTI.

But there are other reasons that are higher on the list for getting a UTI:

Intercourse in general increases the risk of UTI but especially if a woman has not been sexually active for some time. The frequency of intercourse after a prolonged period of celibacy increases the risk too. The bacteria that causes UTIs are usually from the woman's own gut bacteria on her skin that is in the region and this is moved into her urethra and travels up to the bladder.

After menopause, women are at much more risk of UTIs because of hormonal changes to the genitourinary tissues. A solution for this is to use topical estrogen cream locally or in a vaginal applicator, on a regular basis, to restore the resiliency of the tissues. The estrogen cream (Estrace is more natural than Premarin) is by prescription.

There are some additional things you can do to decrease the risk of UTIs from intercourse. As soon as possible after finishing without being insulting, go to the bathroom to urinate. This will help remove bacteria that might have gotten into the urethra. Also, consider taking in a lot of cranberry. There are cranberry powder capsules and of course cranberry juice. If you go the juice route, try to find a concentrate form and reconstitute it with water and unsweetened apple juice. It will be tart this way, but you'll avoid the excessive amounts of sugar in products like Ocean Spray.

Also, if possible, have a quick rinse after intercourse. I don't mean rubbing the area with a wash cloth as that could make it worse, but a quick shower, bidet, or squirt bottle can help wash away urinary irritants, semen and bacteria.

I hope this information helps and that you are done having UTIs!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Does Unprotected Intercourse Cause UTI?

Brief Answer: Other causes are more likely. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, If your boyfriend's hygiene is inadequate or he has any infection of the glans or foreskin, this could contribute to increased risk of a UTI. But there are other reasons that are higher on the list for getting a UTI: Intercourse in general increases the risk of UTI but especially if a woman has not been sexually active for some time. The frequency of intercourse after a prolonged period of celibacy increases the risk too. The bacteria that causes UTIs are usually from the woman's own gut bacteria on her skin that is in the region and this is moved into her urethra and travels up to the bladder. After menopause, women are at much more risk of UTIs because of hormonal changes to the genitourinary tissues. A solution for this is to use topical estrogen cream locally or in a vaginal applicator, on a regular basis, to restore the resiliency of the tissues. The estrogen cream (Estrace is more natural than Premarin) is by prescription. There are some additional things you can do to decrease the risk of UTIs from intercourse. As soon as possible after finishing without being insulting, go to the bathroom to urinate. This will help remove bacteria that might have gotten into the urethra. Also, consider taking in a lot of cranberry. There are cranberry powder capsules and of course cranberry juice. If you go the juice route, try to find a concentrate form and reconstitute it with water and unsweetened apple juice. It will be tart this way, but you'll avoid the excessive amounts of sugar in products like Ocean Spray. Also, if possible, have a quick rinse after intercourse. I don't mean rubbing the area with a wash cloth as that could make it worse, but a quick shower, bidet, or squirt bottle can help wash away urinary irritants, semen and bacteria. I hope this information helps and that you are done having UTIs!