9 Tips to Prevent UTIs
We’ve all been there… it’s 3:00 in the morning and you’ve been up all night feeling like you need to pee, experiencing burning when you do go, and losing precious hours of shut-eye. You’ve got a telehealth appointment with your doctor in the morning if you could just get through the night… Cystex PM is made just for that! It’s formulated with 2 key ingredients: acetaminophen for extra strength pain relief and diphenhydramine, a non-habit-forming sleep aid. Adequate sleep is essential for the body to fight off infection.
So why DO UTIs feel worse at night? There are many different contributing factors. Urine output and water intake are lowest at this time of day. This allows the urine to become more “concentrated'' and irritates the bladder lining even more. To combat this, you should drink more water, which in turn causes the need to go even more! It’s a vicious cycle that Cystex PM can help you break. Also at bedtime, you’re not distracted by your daily tasks, making the symptoms even more noticeable and bothersome.
UTIs are most common in cisgender women however they can occur in all genders and all genitalia. The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Infections occur when bacteria make their way from the outside, into the body through the urethra, and eventually into the bladder. If not treated with prescription antibiotics, the infection can continue moving up the urinary tract and affect the kidneys. It’s important to note that Cystex PM products do not treat or cure a UTI but they do help manage the symptoms until you can see your doctor.
Now that you know what causes a UTI and how to get some sleep with Cystex PM if you do get one, here are my 9 top tips for prevention:
Avoid holding your pee (medical professionals, I’m talking to you!) We’ve all waited way too long to go during busy shifts but this increases risk to develop UTI.
Prior to sexual activity, all partners should wipe down the genital and anal areas, wash their hands, and make sure fingernails are short and clean.
After sexual activity, all partners should pee to flush away any bacteria that may have traveled into the urethra.
Choose breathable, cotton underwear, avoid thongs, and very tight pants/shorts.
Switch to a fragrance-free, dye-free laundry detergent.
For those with vaginas, don’t use soaps or scented body washes on the vulva or internally - water and a soft washcloth are enough.
Avoid bladder irritants including alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, and acidic fruit juice. Drink lots of water to flush the system.
No smoking! Smoking not only irritates the bladder, but it triples the risk of bladder cancer.
Choose a shower over a bath. If you must take a bath (trust me, I get it), don’t soak for longer than 10 minutes and don’t add any bubbles, body washes, bath bombs, or oils to the water.
If you’ve ever had a UTI keep you up at night, order Cystex PM here to have on hand. It’s a real night-saver!