Honeymoon Cystitis: The Unexpected Part of Your Vacation
Highlights:
- Honeymoon cystitis or UTI caused by sexual activity is common among women, and the symptoms are similar to cystitis caused by other factors, including a burning sensation while peeing and a strong desire to use the restroom
- Women have shorter urethra than men, making them more susceptible to UTIs
- Drinking plenty of water, peeing after intercourse, and avoiding unnecessary friction can help prevent UTIs
Honeymoon cystitis (sometimes known as "honeymoon disease") is a type of cystitis or urinary tract infection (UTI), triggered by sexual activity. The symptoms are the same as with cystitis caused by something other than sexual activity: a burning sensation when peeing and a strong desire to use the restroom.
UTIs, which are typically accompanied by a strong and persistent need to urinate as well as a burning sensation while urinating, can cause substantial pelvic pain. According to reports, UTIs are the second-most prevalent type of infection in the body, with 50-60% of women experiencing one at some point in their lives.
‘Be UTI-free; it's the way to be. Follow all the preventive measures after any sexual activity to avoid contracting honeymoon cystitis’
In addition, approximately 25% of women who suffer from a UTI develop recurrent infections. It's also worth noting that the mythical "first time" isn't the only time that UTI might occur. Sleeping with a new partner frequently results in a new UTI.
However, a lack of information on the infection, particularly its relationship with sexual activity, can lead to the infection not being treated early. Because it might produce fever and chills, some people prefer to treat their urinary problems by popping paracetamol tablets rather than seeking medical help.
Because sex education is scarce and sex is a taboo subject, women may put off seeing a doctor to avoid unpleasant sex conversations. The stigma of premarital sex may deter individuals from seeking help even more. Unfortunately, that is precisely what should not be done.
"A bladder infection can improve on its own, although it seldom does. Call your doctor if you suspect you have a UTI. You might be able to skip the clinic and go straight to the lab for a urine test," explains urologist Dr. Mark Newton. "If left untreated, a bladder infection can progress to a kidney or prostate infection."
These infections are more dangerous because they can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis. Sepsis causes severe illness and can potentially be fatal."
Urinary Tract Infection is not a Sexually Transmitted Disease
A UTI, on the other hand, is not a sexually transmitted infection. In reality, it is not considered contagious. Bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and multiply in the bladder, causing it.Because female bodies have shorter urethra than male bodies, they are more susceptible to UTIs. The friction and pressure required in penetrative intercourse can drive bacteria, which frequently lurk in the anal area, toward the front and in the direction of the urethra, allowing them to get into the urinary tract.
"I found myself in a new relationship with a man who could talk for hours on end." We've been taught that this is the greatest trait in a lover, but unfortunately, extreme friction combined with a short and narrow urethra does not equal the finest sex of your life; in fact, this was possibly the worst year of my life.
"I realized that every time I had sex, I'd get another UTI," Juliet says. "UTIs after sex had officially become my modus operandi, and post-coital intimacy had been replaced by me sitting on the toilet trying to force a decent stream of urine from my body."
Indeed, peeing immediately after intercourse - or, at most, within 30 minutes - is one of the best strategies to lower the risk of a UTI. This can help wash the bacteria out of the urethra, perhaps averting a UTI. Unfortunately, this easy approach isn't as widely known as it could be, making UTIs appear unavoidable. They don't have to be, though.
"UTIs after sex are worse than using the toilet around a new partner," Juliet has discovered the hard way. UTI has been a clingy buddy to her.
Some specialists also advise urinating before intercourse. To be sure, people are unlikely to rush to the lavatory in the heat of the moment. So, there are alternative options, all of which are simple and do not require expert supervision: drink enough fluids, pee after sex, and if it feels dry "down there," use a lubricant. After all, the goal is to stay hydrated while minimizing friction as much as possible.
"If there's one thing, I'd pass on to other sufferers of UTIs after sex, it's this: don't accept it when you're told it's just the way you are or when you're offered remedies you don't believe have validity," Juliet says. Carry out your research and make a record of your symptoms."
Want to Save a Trip to the Doctor, Then Try These Tips to Avoid Honeymoon Cystitis
Urinary tract infections? Not today! The following suggestions will help you to keep your bladder in check.Drink up and Avoid UTI:
Drink plenty of water (six to eight glasses per day) to enhance urine output, which aids in the prevention of bacterial accumulation in the bladder and urinary tract.
Pee right after intercourse to help wash away bacteria. Sex, especially with a new partner, can bring bacteria into the urinary tract. Sperm, for example, has an alkaline pH of 7.5-8, which raises the usual vaginal pH (3.5-4.5) and causes an unpleasant odor or itch.
Flush UTI Right out of your Body:
If you have persistent UTIs, use the vaginal gel every three days to maintain a normal pH balance or just before or after intercourse, as the higher pH of sperm might induce an unpleasant odor or itch, which can suggest the onset of a UTI.
The Right Way to Wipe Away UTI:
To avoid infection, prevent vaginal E. coli colonization from entering the urinary tract. Remember to wipe from front to back to keep rectal bacteria out of your urinary tract. Yeast and bacteria are normally present in the vaginal environment and must be kept under check to avoid illness. Pro-B is a daily lactobacillus probiotic supplement that balances yeast and bacteria to help keep vaginal flora in a typical, healthy range.
Shower Instead of Bathing:
The wetness in bathtubs can aid in the growth of bacteria. Cotton innerwear provides more airflow than synthetic textiles. Avoid reclining in tight workout pants because bacteria flourish in warm, damp environments, which can result in a yeast infection.
Call Your Doctor for Antibiotic Treatment for UTI:
Preventive antibiotics may be prescribed by your doctor for recurrent UTIs to prevent additional infections, either daily, after intercourse, or at the first sign of a new infection. Because antibiotics destroy both good and bad bacteria (Lactobacillus, yeast, etc.), a yeast infection is common after a round of antibiotics, therefore, take Pro-B to keep the good and bad bacteria in balance.
Moisturizers to not Let UTI Take Over Life:
It is usual for women to have painful sex, especially if they are breastfeeding, undergoing cancer treatment, or going through menopause. Replens Moisturiser, which is estrogen-free, reduces vaginal dryness and uncomfortable sex; nevertheless, a moisturizer is not the same as a lubricant. To replenish internal moisture at the root cause of dryness, apply a moisturizer twice a week.
To avoid abrasion and ease entry, decent silicone lubricant should still be used right before sex.
A yeast infection causes itching and burning, as well as an odorless, sometimes copious vaginal discharge. BV symptoms are frequently identical, except the discharge produced has a fishy odor, especially after sex. Because they are less experienced with it, many women confuse BV with yeast infections.
A Clean Body is a UTI-Free Body:
Many women who believe they have yeast infections and treat themselves with over-the-counter drugs may be doing more damage than good. Less than one-third of people who believe they have a yeast infection do. Instead, two-thirds suffer from BV, which is frequently caused by an imbalanced vaginal pH, making a pH balancer like RepHresh beneficial.
Untreated BV can result in premature birth and increase women's risk of UTIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, and STDs. Antibiotics are used for treatment, but they might cause a yeast infection, triggering the painful cycle of illnesses.
Source: Medindia
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Dr. Krishanga. (2023, April 28). Honeymoon Cystitis: The Unexpected Part of Your Vacation. Medindia. Retrieved on Nov 25, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/honeymoon-cystitis-the-unexpected-part-of-your-vacation-211548-1.htm.
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Dr. Krishanga. "Honeymoon Cystitis: The Unexpected Part of Your Vacation". Medindia. Nov 25, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/honeymoon-cystitis-the-unexpected-part-of-your-vacation-211548-1.htm>.
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Dr. Krishanga. "Honeymoon Cystitis: The Unexpected Part of Your Vacation". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/honeymoon-cystitis-the-unexpected-part-of-your-vacation-211548-1.htm. (accessed Nov 25, 2024).
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