How to Lower Your Risk for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

The constant urge to go to the bathroom, the burning when you urinate, and the abdominal cramping may have you saying to yourself: Never again. 

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and get better fast with treatment. However, they’re quite uncomfortable, so you may be wondering about ways to lower your risk for UTIs to prevent future infections. 

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, our team diagnoses and treats UTIs. We want to stress the importance of getting treatment if you suspect you have a UTI. We also understand that after experiencing one or several infections, you desire to prevent them.

Here’s what you can do to lower your risk of UTIs. 

Maintain good bathroom habits

Most UTIs are caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria commonly found in the lower intestine and rectum. Maintaining good bathroom habits may prevent the bacteria from entering your urinary tract and causing an infection. 

Women are much more likely to get UTIs than men because their short urethra is closer to the anus, where stool exits the rectum. Wiping from front to back may help lower your risk of UTIs. 

Drink more water

Drinking more water dilutes the bacteria in your bladder and urinary tract and may reduce your risk of an infection. It also increases urination, helping to get rid of bacteria quickly before it has a chance to grow.

Your doctor can talk to you about how much fluid you need. In general, adults should drink 11 to 16 cups of fluid a day, mostly water. 

Don’t hold your urine

This relates to drinking more water. Holding in your urine gives the bacteria an opportunity to grow and cause an infection. Going to the bathroom when you have the urge gets rid of any germs quickly before they have a chance to populate.

You should also make it a habit to urinate after sex because it’s a potential avenue for transferring germs into the urinary tract.

Wear looser clothes

Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, and tight clothing may create the ideal growing environment. Wear loser clothing to lower your risk of UTIs. Also, wear cotton underwear for better air circulation to keep things dry. 

Have a plan

If you have two UTIs in six months or three UTIs in a year, you have recurrent UTIs. You may have been able to manage the infection with a regular course of antibiotics, but more frequent infections may require a targeted approach, such as taking antibiotics for a longer period of time or prophylactically. 

When you develop an infection, take advantage of our urgent care services so we can help you get the medication you need right away. You may need to make an appointment with your doctor for a more comprehensive and long-term plan if you have recurrent UTIs.

If you suspect you have a UTI, call us at 989-756-0055 right now to schedule an appointment at our office in Midland, Michigan. We can test and treat your UTI right away. For less urgent concerns, use our online booking tool