UTI might ruin your honeymoon

Sophie Shastri (name changed) took all the necessary precautions when she got intimate with her partner for the first time. However, she did not realise it would lead to serious health complications.

“The next day, I felt a burning sensation while urinating. Over the next few days, I often had the urge to relieve myself, but hardly any urine came out. When the burning sensation became acute, with or without urination, I visited a doctor. I was shocked to know that I had contracted urinary tract infection (UTI),” the 22-year-old told DNA. 

Contrary to popular belief, UTI is not only caused by unhygienic washrooms and/or holding on for too long. Frequent and rough sexual intercourse without the use of proper lubrication can also cause the infection. “We even have a term for it — honeymoon cystitis — because newly married couples tend to have repeated and frequent sexual intercourse. This causes UTIs,” said Dr Gunnu Mansukhani, gynaecologist at Jaslok hospital.

The urethra and the vagina are situated in close proximity in the female body. Frequent sexual intercourse can cause bruises in the area, making it predisposed toinfection, said Dr Kiran Coelho, gynaecologist at Lilavati hospital.

“Undue friction of the clitoris or the vagina can make it sore and cause bruising. Couples who have frequent sex need to use a good lubricant to reduce the friction. It is also very important to maintain good genital hygiene,” she said.

It is not difficult to take precautionary measures. “Drinking lots of water will lead to frequent urination and wash the infection away. Apart from this, after sex, a woman should wash or wipe the vagina thoroughly,” said Dr Coelho. 

“It is important to remember that the vagina should be wiped from front to back else the chances of e-coli bacteria from the anus entering the urinary tract are very high,” said Dr Coelho.

The men, too, must maintain genital hygiene. “Most men in India are not circumcised so between the head of the penis and the foreskin there is often a collection of fluid we call smegma. This can contain a lot of bacteria. It can sometimes infect the woman’s urinary tract. So, men must wash their penises too,” said Dr Anita Soni, gynaecologist at Hiranandani hospital.

After the health scare, Shastri has learnt her lessons. “Nowadays, I make sure that my partner and I clean our genitals before and after sex. I also drink lots of water to ward off UTI,” she said.