Can You Safely Have Sex with a UTI? Unpacking the Risks and Recommendations

If you’ve had a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), you know how uncomfortable and painful it can be. Having these infections can be embarrassing for some people. But remember, you are not alone in this. UTIs are super common. About 50 to 60 percent¹ of adult women will experience this condition at some point in their lives. And many of these women experience recurring infections².

Given just how common they are, many people ask the question, “Can you have sex with a UTI?” In this article, we’ll jump into the facts about having sex with a UTI to help you decide if doing so is the right decision for you. 

What You Need to Know About UTIs

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. The urinary tract consists of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. A UTI happens when bacteria enter the urethra from nearby areas, such as the genitals or anus.

If you have a UTI, you’re likely to experience these symptoms: 

• An ongoing urge to urinate
• Feeling the need to urinate, even when your bladder is empty
• Pain or a burning sensation during urination
• Discomfort and pain in the pelvic area
• Blood in the urine

Although most UTIs start in the bladder, they can spread all the way to the kidneys if not treated. This can lead to more severe symptoms, including:

• High fever 
• Pain in the lower back
• Nausea and vomiting

While UTIs can affect anyone, people with vaginas are at a higher risk³ for several reasons.

• Bacteria can more spread to the urethra because it is close to both the vagina and the anus. 
• People with vaginas have shorter urethras. This makes it easier for bacteria to move to the bladder. Pregnancy³, menopause³, and the use of spermicides⁴ can further increase the risk of UTIs for people with vaginas.

Most UTIs are caused by a bacteria called E. coli³. This bacteria is often found in the digestive system and feces. During sex, the bacteria can spread from the anus to the vagina or penis through hands, mouth, genitals, or toys. Being sexually active increases the risk of UTIs compared to those who are not sexually active.

To Have or Not to Have: Sex During a UTI

If you have a UTI, you can still have vaginal sex. However, it might not feel pleasurable, and there are a few risks to think about before jumping into bed.

• When you have a UTI, any type of vaginal penetration can make the pain and sensitivity worse. This is because the urinary tract and urinary organs are close to the vagina. So, you may want to try other sexual activities like anal sex or clitoral stimulation. These activities are more likely to be pleasurable.

• Having sex may make an infection worse. When something goes into the vagina, like a penis, hand, or sex toy, it can push bacteria further up into the urinary tract. This can make the infection and its symptoms worse.

As a Sexologist, I have spoken with clients who have had sex while having a UTI.  Surprisingly, there were multiple different reasons that people chose to do so. Some people want to spice up a romantic getaway that they’ve had planned for months with their partner. Others felt pressured to please their partner. And others didn’t want to miss out on a chance to conceive. 

Ultimately, the choice to decide whether or not to have sex during a UTI is up to you. If you feel comfortable and know the risks, go for it. But remember, it’s never okay to be forced to do something you don’t want to do. Your well-being and comfort are what’s most important.

Safeguarding Your Health: Recommendations and Precautions

It’s typically recommended not to have vaginal sex during a UTI. But you can take extra steps to prevent UTIs or ease their symptoms. You should do the following.

Urinate Before And After Sex

Urinating both before and after sex allows you to flush out any harmful bacteria that may be in the urethra. 

Don’t Hold In Urine

Holding in urine can cause a UTI or make the symptoms worse. If you need to urinate anytime during sex, stop having sex and go to the bathroom. While this may kill the mood a little, it’s better than developing a UTI. 

Clean Sex Toys Before And After Use

To prevent any bacteria from being spread via sex toys, it’s important to wash them before and after each use. Wash them with warm water and mild soap that doesn’t have fragrance. When they are dry, store them away from other toys, direct sunlight, and dust.

Clean Yourself After Sex

After you have sex, it’s important to clean your vulva and anus to get rid of any harmful bacteria near your urethra. To do this, use a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. It’s important only to clean the vulva and not the vagina, as the vagina is self-cleaning.

Drink Lots Of Water

Drinking lots of water helps to flush out any bacteria that may be in the urinary tract. Drinking water will help you to recover a lot faster and also prevent UTIs from returning. 

Don’t Use Feminine Products

Many feminine products are made with fragrances that can be harmful to the vagina. Douching is also not recommended as it can promote infections. 

Treatment and Recovery: Navigating UTIs

To treat UTIs, a healthcare professional will often prescribe antibiotics³. It’s important to take all of the antibiotics to completely get rid of the infection.

During treatment, you should begin to see your symptoms improve. This means you won’t feel as though you need to pee as much, and there should be less pain when you do pee. The pain in your pelvic area should also decrease. 

Even if you start feeling better and your symptoms go away, make sure to finish all of your antibiotics and fully recover before having vaginal sex. This will prevent the infection from returning and avoid any other problems.

Fostering Open Communication: Talking to Your Partner and Doctor

If you are experiencing a UTI, talking with your partner and healthcare professionals is important. These conversations help you to prioritize your sexual health, general health, and also your pleasure. 

Why Talking to Your Partner is Important

It’s really important to talk to your partner about your experiences when you have a sexual health issue like a UTI. There are several reasons why.

• Talking with your partner about what you need physically and emotionally during this time helps set boundaries. Maybe you feel terrible and don’t want to be touched. Letting your partner know will make sure they respect your boundaries.

• Sharing and discussing your health and experiences can help build trust and strengthen a relationship. It also helps your partner support you during this time.

• If you want to have sex, talking to your partner can help you try other types of intimacy that you both feel comfortable with, such as oral sex. It can also prevent UTIs from coming back or getting worse by discussing ways to prevent them. 

If discussing sexual issues is difficult for you or your partner, consider seeing a sex therapist or psychologist. They can assist in navigating sensitive topics, prioritizing both partners’ well-being.

Why Talking to Your Doctor is Important

It’s important to seek medical advice for a UTI or any sexual health matter. Having good health means looking after your sexual health. Delaying seeking help can have some serious consequences, not only for your sex life but for your overall health. 

You don’t need to feel ashamed when talking to your doctor about your sexual history. Healthcare professionals are there to help you without judgment. If you speak honestly and openly about your situation, you will get the best care for your specific needs.

Myth-Busting: Separating Fact from Fiction

As UTIs are super common infections, they come with many myths and misinformation surrounding them. Let’s explore some of the common myths below.

Cranberry Juice Can Treat UTIs

You have probably heard that drinking cranberry juice can help treat UTIs. But this is actually a common myth. The truth is that scientists do not have enough data to prove that cranberry juice works to treat UTIs.

Only People With Vaginas Can Get UTIs

People with vaginas are more a risk of developing a UTI. But people with penises can also develop them too. 

UTIs Are Sexually Transmitted

Having sex can increase the risk of getting a UTI, especially for people with vaginas. But UTIs are not contagious or spread through sex.

UTIs Will Go Away On Their Own

For most people, UTIs will not go away without medication. Most people with UTI symptoms will need to take antibiotics to get rid of the infection. If not treated, UTIs can lead to life-threatening conditions. 

Takeaway

A UTI can be extremely painful and frustrating. But even though it may be uncomfortable, some might still want to have sex for many different reasons. Having sex when you have a UTI isn’t usually very risky, but it could make the infection or your symptoms worse. So, it’s a good idea to wait until you’ve taken all your antibiotics and feel better before having sex again.

It’s important to talk openly and honestly with your partner and doctor during this time. This will ensure that you are supported and on the road to recovery. 

Sources

1. Medina M, Castillo-Pino E. An introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections. Therapeutic Advances in Urology. 2019;11:175628721983217. doi:10.1177/1756287219832172

2. Ignacio Alós J. Epidemiología y etiología de la infección urinaria comunitaria. Sensibilidad antimicrobiana de los principales patógenos y significado clínico de la resistencia. Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. 2005;23:3-8. doi:10.1157/13091442

3. Foxman B. Epidemiology of urinary tract infections: Incidence, morbidity, and economic costs. Disease-a-Month. 2003;49(2):53-70. doi:10.1067/mda.2003.7

4. Scholes D, Hooton TM, Roberts PL, Stapleton AE, Gupta K, Stamm WE. Risk Factors for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Young Women. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2000;182(4):1177-1182. doi:10.1086/315827

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