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Quick answer
- Sex is a common trigger for UTIs.
- Pee after sex and skip spermicides to lower your risk.
- Back pain, fever or blood in pee need urgent help.
- Recurrent UTIs are worth investigating with a GP.
Ever had that burning “I need to pee every five minutes” feeling a day or two after sex? That’s often a UTI like cystitis. Sex can push bacteria towards the urethra, which is shorter in people with a vulva – so infections are common.
Prevention tips (NHS)
- Pee as soon as possible after sex
- Wash the skin around the vagina with water before and after sex
- Avoid condoms or a diaphragm with spermicide – try non-spermicidal lube or another method
- Stay hydrated
- Wipe front to back
Signs of a UTI
- Pain or burning when peeing
- Needing to pee more often or urgently
- Cloudy or bloody pee
- Lower tummy pain
- Feeling tired, hot or shivery
MythOnly “unclean” people get UTIs.
Fact
UTIs are really common and nothing to do with being dirty. Anatomy and sex are big factors.
Sources
Written by the Splash teamSources checked
This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). How we write and check articles.