If you’re a woman, chances are you’ve heard the advice, “You should pee before and after having sex.”This is said to prevent Urinary Tract infection.
Unfortunately, that advice is wrong and experts say it could even increase your odds of developing a UTI.
New York City urologist David Kaufman, MD, tells Yahoo Health the “pee before sex” mantra is one of the biggest misconceptions he has to clear up for his female patients. While urinating after sex is definitely important, he says going to the bathroom beforehand is a big no-no.
Why? During sex, vaginal bacteria can get pushed into your urethra. Waiting to pee, and consequently having enough urine stored up to create a strong stream, increases the odds of pushing that bacteria back out. Without it, the bacteria can cause an infection.Urinating before sex “is the No.1 cause of post-coital urinary tract infections, also known as honeymoon cystitis,” Kaufman tells Yahoo Health. Having a solid stream afterward is crucial since the bacteria can be hard to dislodge.
