6 natural ways to prevent a UTI, according to OB-GYNs

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in at least one part of the urinary system, which includes your bladder, urethra, or kidneys. About 50% to 60% of women will experience a UTI in their life, though anyone can get one.

Symptoms of a UTI include pain while urinating, frequent urination, blood in urine, and cramping. While UTIs are quite common, there are steps you can take to prevent them.

Here are six tips to prevent UTIs.

1. Drink plenty of water 

"Increased water intake has many benefits to the body — among them is the reduction of UTI[s]. It dilutes the urine and causes increased urination, flushing the urinary tract system [of] pathogens that may have collected there," says Kecia Gaither, MD, an OB/GYN and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. 

A 2018 study followed women who had recurrent — defined as three or more a year — UTIs and drank one and a half liters of water or less a day. The study divided participants into two groups: one drank another one and a half liters of water a day while the other continued as usual. After 12 months, only 7% of the water group had experienced three or more UTIs, while the same was true for 88% of the control group.

"[Water] is the first line of defense against urinary tract infections. Typically we recommend 8 to 10 glasses per day," says Michael Ingber, MD, a urogynecologist at The Center for Specialized Women's Health in northern New Jersey. 

If you regularly struggle to drink enough water, try buying a bottle with marked measurements on it to keep track of how much you have left to drink for the day.  

2. Wipe from front to back

Maintaining a careful wiping technique after using the bathroom can go a long way towards preventing UTIs. 

"Given the close location of the anus to the urethra in women, it is important that women always wipe from front to back. Wiping from back to front can result in dragging the bacteria from the anus into the bladder and vagina," says Scott G. Chudnoff, MD, an OB/GYN and chair of the department of OB/GYN at Stamford Hospital. 

3. Use the bathroom after sex 

While you don't have to use the bathroom immediately after sex, using it soon after can help prevent UTIs from developing — especially for anyone with a vagina. Thanks to the urethra's proximity to the vagina, it's easy for bacteria from sex to build up and cause an infection. 

If you can't urinate post-sex, reach for a big glass of water to get fluids moving.