Peeing After Sex:
Q: Excuse my inquiry, but I’m fairly inexperienced. I’m 19 and so is my girlfriend, and we’ve been having sex for a few months. She’s my first, but she’s had other partners before. Every time after we finish having sex, she goes to the bathroom. Is there a reason why she needs to go every time? Is this normal?
A: Women usually go to the bathroom after sex to urinate. Peeing helps flush out any bacteria that may have been pushed into the urethra during sex. This helps reduce the risk of a urinary tract infection. Also, if you are not using condoms (but another form of birth control I hope), then women like to go to the bathroom to push out the fluids (semen, lube or other natural fluids) and wipe up. Also, sex can put pressure on the bladder, so the urge to go is stronger after sex. Going to the bathroom after sex is just a routine thing that most women do. This does not imply anything negative. This is not about you, but what makes her feel physically comfortable.
Chronic UTIs
Q: My wife and I have encountered a super disruptive, painful, and annoying problem recently. She has started getting a UTI every time we have sex. The first time, she went on antibiotics and we waited until she was done to have sex again. Then it happened a second time. She’s been on multiple rounds of antibiotics and takes cranberry pills from the vitamin aisle at the pharmacy. I’ve made sure that I’m clean down there but it keeps happening every time we have sex. Her doctor just prescribes antibiotics and doesn’t do much else. Is it possible there’s an underlying problem? Or another way to treat it so she doesn’t have to keep doing antibiotics?
A: There is something called “post-coital recurrent UTIs” which has nothing to do with hygiene. Some women seem to be prone to getting them almost after every time they have sex. I know how frustrating this can be for her and for you. Unfortunately, there are a few reasons why this occurs. For one, sex can push bacteria into the urethra, especially since it is so close to the vagina and anus. It is still unknown as to why some women are just more susceptible. Another reason may be the treatment itself. Antibiotics can actually kill the protective vaginal bacteria which then makes it easier for UTI-causing bacteria to grow. Thus, repeated antibiotics makes recurrence more likely rather than less. You didn’t share, but you should stay away from spermicides and certain lubricants (those with a fragrance for example) as they can dramatically increase the risk of UTIs. As for alternatives to what she already does, I think she needs to discuss with a doctor, the use of post-coital prophylactic antibiotics rather than a full round of them. This would mean taking a single low dose after sex, each time as a preventative measure. She may also consider vaginal probiotics as a protective measure. Also, urinating after sex to flush out bacteria is highly recommended. I would strongly recommend that your partner gets a referral for a urogynecologist. It may be time to escalate care. When it comes to our health, we have to be our own advocates and sometimes we have to push for care.