Having
comes with plenty of risks. STI's and
are the downsides of sex, but despite the pain and suffering that they can cause, the majority of us decide to go ahead with the deed anyway. For a lot of people, a common part of sex is to go for a wee both before and after you've got
but it turns out this isn't necessarily a good idea.
According to one expert, women should not urinate before they have sex, in order to reduce the risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). David Kaufman, a urologist based in New York City, the advice that you should go for a wee beforehand could increase the chances of women getting an infection.
Kaufman claimed that the idea that females should go to the toilet in the moments before getting down and dirty is one of the biggest myths in the sex world. The urologist claims that the misconception is one of the most common things that he has to address with patients at his clinic.
While the medic agrees that urinating after sex is important, he warns that going to the bathroom beforehand is not advisable - despite what you may have heard. Speaking to Yahoo News, Kaufman says that this common mistake "is
the No.1 cause of post-coital urinary tract infections, also known as honeymoon cystitis".
But why shouldn't you pee before sex? Well, during intercourse, bacteria from the vagina can get pushed into the urethra. If you've waited to pee and therefore have enough urine stored in your bladder to create a strong enough stream, this will increase the odds of that bacteria being washed back out of the vagina.
Kaufman claims that by holding on for long enough, you will ensure that your bladder is full enough to clear any unwanted bacteria from inside the urethra. If there's no urine in your bladder, the bacteria will stay and may cause an infection.
Women are much susceptible to UTI's than their male counterparts due to their anatomy. The urethra is only separated
from the vagina and anus by a tiny distance, making it much easier for bacteria from either to reach
and infect
it.
Dr Kaufman also explains that some women are more likely than others to suffer from UTI's due to the positioning of their vagina and urethra. According to the urologist, some women's vaginal openings are much closer to their urethra than others, making them more liable to get infected. The doctor claims that he has a few patients who develop a UTI nearly every time they have sex.
The NHS also issue advice on how to avoid contracting a UTI, with the health service saying that using a diaphragm as contraception may increase your chances of getting infected, as it may press on the bladder and prevent it from completely emptying.
So there you have it, next time you feel like getting freaky, try not to go for a wee beforehand. Although, don't hold on for too long as you don't want to get pee on someone/have someone pee on you... Or do you?
