Urology Education and Support

Lower your risk for urinary tract infections

There are steps you can take to lower your risk for some urological conditions – particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs).

One of the most important ways to lower your risk for UTIs is to drink more fluids, especially water. Drinking a lot of water can flush out bacteria from your urinary tract before it has a chance to become infected.

Additionally, women and men have different steps they can take to reduce their risk.

UTI prevention tips for women

We recommend these general guidelines for women to reduce their risk of UTIs:

• Always wipe from front to back when going to the bathroom to reduce the chance of bacterial exposure
• Avoid feminine products that can irritate the genital area, such as deodorant sprays, douches or powders
• Urinate after sex, and drink a glass of water to flush out any bacteria

UTI prevention tips for men

We recommend these general guidelines for men to reduce their risk of UTIs:

• Empty your bladder as much as possible when urinating
• If you’re uncircumcised, clean your foreskin regularly so bacteria is less likely to enter the urinary tract
• Urinate when you need to – don’t hold it for extended periods of time