Bladder infection and sex

A urinary tract infection UTI can be painful enough to cause a temporary loss of interest in sex. Once the infection starts to clear up, however, some people wonder if it is safe to have sex again. Doctors usually recommend avoiding sex until the infection has cleared up completely. This is because having sex may irritate the urinary tract and can push bacteria into the urethra, worsening the infection. This article looks at the safety and risks of sex when a person has a UTI, including whether the infection is contagious and tips for keeping safe.

Urinary tract infections UTIs are common. UTIs can develop anywhere in the urinary tract, from the urethra to the kidneys. Symptoms include:. A UTI can irritate the sensitive tissue in your urinary tract, and sexual activity can irritate those tissues even more. Sexual activity can also increase your risk of complications and potentially put your partner at risk.

One common way women get urinary tract infections is by having sex. But that doesn't mean you have to banish sex from your life to prevent painful infections. For some women, a urinary tract infection UTI can also be a result. Taking proper precautions can minimize your odds.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. A urinary tract infection UTI is a bacterial infection that affects your urinary system, including your urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Although a UTI can affect any part of your urinary system, it most often causes an infection in your bladder. This is known as cystitis.