Your very personal health: intimate issues

Urinary tract infections

What are they? Bacteria that live on the skin around the vagina and anus (yours and your partner's) sometimes ascend the urethra during intercourse and cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). Those with active sex lives tend to suffer from UTIs more frequently, as sex increases the chances of infection. Spermicides (like nonoxynol-9), often used in combination with condoms, can also disturb normal vaginal flora, creating a perfect environment for bacteria and thereby aggravating the symptoms.
Symptoms: A frequent and/or urgent need to urinate and a burning sensation when passing urine, pain in the lower abdomen and a mild fever. Pain in your lower back or cloudy, bad-smelling urine may also indicate a UTI.
Treatment: A course of antibiotics. To help keep your urinary tract free from bacteria, you should pass water straight after intercourse and always wipe from front to back. Wear breathable cotton underwear - synthetic materials trap heat and moisture, creating an ideal breeding environment for bacteria. Drinking two to three cups of unsweetened cranberry juice a day can also help, as research suggests that the antioxidants in cranberries decrease the bacteria's ability to adhere to the bladder lining. Finally, stay hydrated - you'll pass water more often and so flush bacteria from your urinary tract.