9 Mind-Blowing Myths About UTI Prevention



I’ve got some good news and some bad news.

The bad news is, some popular urinary tract infection prevention methods like cranberry juice are not actually effective.1 The good news is, you don’t have to throw out your thongs and tight pants! Read on to discover the truth about urinary tract infection prevention myths.

1) Cranberry Juice Is Not Actually A UTI Cure

Depending on how much you like cranberry juice, this may be music to your ears. You mean I don’t have to chug cranberry juice anymore? That’s right amiga, no more sour face for you. It’s 2018 and cranberries are OUT as a UTI prevention method.

I know, I know, there are some studies out there that claim cranberry products effectively prevent UTIs by changing the pH of your urine, making it less hospitable for bacteria. HOWEVER most of those studies are over a decade old, funded by cranberry juice seller OceanSpray, and too small, isolated, and irregular to be taken seriously.

Cranberry Studies Are Not Enough Proof

A 2012 review of 24 studies found that cranberry products were less effective in preventing recurrent UTIs than previously thought, with no statistically significant difference between women who took them and those who did not.1


SEE ALSO: Why You Shouldn't Chug Cranberry Juice If You Have A UTI

2) You Don't Have To Avoid Hot Tubs Or Bubble Baths

Who doesn’t love getting in the hot tub on a cold winter evening? Lucky for you, hot tub-goer, there has been no proven correlation between hanging in the tub and contracting a urinary tract infection.

9 Mind-Blowing Myths About UTI Prevention | D-mannose UTI Prevention with Dmanna


While popular myth suggests that bodies of water can be a cesspool of swirling bacteria just waiting to chow down on your lady bits, there is no evidence that’s the case.2 If you really want to be on the safe side, though, just make sure your tub is clean before you use it (d’uh).

3) Put Away The Granny Panties

Girl, you can pull out that sexy lingerie again! Turns out there’s no link between the type of panties you sport and whether or not you’ll get recurrent UTIs (abbreviated rUTI). One study found that women who wear thongs were more likely to be sexually active, which is probably the true culprit of your rUTI.3 You might even say the rUTI of the problem…

SEE ALSO: 14 Hilarious Gifs For Ever Girl Who's Ever Had A UTI

4) Feel Free To Stay In Bed After Sex 

Don't feel like hopping out of bed to jump on the john directly following a hot sesh under the sheets? Yeah, me neither.

Guess what? This is one more thing you don't have to worry about anymore. While it’s generally recommended by doctors as “a good idea” (especially because it's low risk and won't have any adverse side effects *cough* antibiotics *cough*), it is not proven to prevent recurrent UTIs.2 So relax, lay there all you want, peeing is unlikely to change your outlook for rUTIs. 

5) Your Caffeine Addiction Is Safe

I see you there, sipping on your diet coke and rum. You’ve had a long day at work—a long week, really—and you deserve to relax and let loose. The good news is, you can have your drink and no UTI, too.


9 Mind-Blowing Myths About UTI Prevention | D-mannose UTI Prevention with Dmanna

While caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks have been found to be bladder irritants—a pain especially for those with overactive bladder symptoms—these beverages will not actually cause a UTI.4 They may exacerbate an existing one, however…but if you’re on antibiotics to fix that active urinary tract infection, you probably shouldn’t drink alcohol anyway.


Smelly Pee?

Everything in moderation, of course. Keep in mind that some caffeinated drinks like coffee can change the smell of your pee, a symptom of UTI. Don’t panic! Just think back to the last thing you ate or drank. If you’re not experiencing any other symptoms of UTI, it’s probably nothing.

Be sure to discuss with your doctor if you are concerned or if more symptoms develop.

SEE ALSO: 6 UTI Symptoms You May Not Expect

6) Go Ahead And Take That Long Car Ride

Who hasn’t sat through an extra hour of a car ride squirming in their seat because they don’t want to take the extra time to stop and pee? Painful as that can be, there is no research to suggest that holding your pee too long will lead to a urinary tract infection.

One study of unhealthy urinary retention in adults determined that urinary tract infection can lead to unhealthy urinary retention because of pain or swelling in the urethra.5  It's a bit of a chicken and an egg scenario. UTIs can cause you to have pain and urgency, making it more uncomfortable for you to hold it it.

If you have a condition where you cannot fully void your bladder (this is different from choosing to wait to void), the retained urine can provide a hospitable environment for bacteria to grow, which can lead to infection.

But the bottom line is, waiting a little bit longer to relieve yourself is not going to give you a urinary tract infection.

7) You’re Wiping Front To Back

If your physician suggests you’re not wiping front to back, you have my full permission to roll your eyes. Really? You’re questioning my basic hygiene? Give me a break.

9 Mind-Blowing Myths About UTI Prevention | D-mannose UTI Prevention with Dmanna


While there seems to be some correlation between urinary tract infections and a lack of hygiene in third-world countries,6 there is no such evidence in the United States and other modernized countries.2

SEE ALSO: My Vagina Is On Fire: How To Determine If You Have A UTI

8) You Don’t Have To Be Celibate


Yes, it’s true, one of the biggest risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infections is frequent sexual activity. However, you don't have to be celibate to avoid UTIs. Make smart decisions with your sexual health to mitigate the risk. Make a plan with your doctor and discuss your birth control options.

Be prepared! If you use condoms, make sure they are spermicide-free. Studies have shown that women who use spermicides longterm are at higher risk for UTIs.2

Do your best to take care of your body and your immune system. Drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest. Get your blood tested to see if you have any immunodeficiencies and correct them with vitamins as recommended by your doctor.


9) Antibiotics Are Not The Only Option For Prevention


The only most common treatment for active urinary tract infections is antibiotics. But there are a few problems with that:

  1. Evolving Antibiotic Resistance
  2. Crippling Side Effects
  3. Weakened Immune System
  4. Antibiotics promote biofilm development, making your UTI even harder to treat the next time around.

But until we find another UTI cure, we’ll have to focus on prevention. Doctors will often recommend continual antibiotic treatment for UTI prevention as well as treatment. The more our bodies are exposed to antibiotics the more we’ll have the above problems.

SEE ALSO: Sepsis, Death, And Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs: The Consequences Of Underestimating The Seriousness Of UTIs

How Can I Prevent My Recurrent UTIs?


There are 2 behaviors that have been scientifically proven to reduce your UTI risk: Increasing your water intake and taking UTI-bacteria inhibiting d-mannose every day. Increase your water intake. The more fluids you drink, the more often potentially harmful bacteria can be flushed out of your system. Studies suggest that 3 liters a day is optimal for prevention.
7

The second most, and equally important prevention tactic, is taking d-mannose daily. In one study, researchers found women with recurrent UTIs who took 2 grams of d-mannose a day had fewer UTIs than women taking Macrobid everyday. And there’s none of the side effects that antibiotics cause! D-mannose is a type of sugar found in berries and other fruit that attaches to harmful bacteria to keep them from attaching to your urinary tract and bladder. Combined with extra fluid intake and it’s a one-two punch that’s been scientifically proven to prevent your urinary tract infection before it begins.

Where Do I Find D-Mannose?

Have you heard about Dmanna? Its main ingredient is d-mannose, and it’s pre-measured and packaged to make your life easier. Just stir it into a glass of water or other liquid and drink on the daily. Raise your glass to Dmanna, the natural UTI prevention tool you didn’t know you needed.

Click here to find out how to get your UTI-fighting daily dose of Dmanna.

Ready to begin your UTI free life with Dmanna?

Footnotes:

  1. Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Management in Women
  2. Diagnosis and Management of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Non-Pregnant Women
  3. Brief vs Thong Hygiene in Obstetrics and Gynecology (B-THONG): A Survey Study
  4. Impact of Caffeine on Overactive Bladder Symptoms
  5. Urinary Retention in Adults: Diagnosis and Initial Management
  6. Analytical study of urinary tract infection in adolescent girls
  7. Drinking More Water Reduces Repeat Urinary Tract Infections

 

 

 
 
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