Can you have sex with a UTI? What you need to know
- Updated Jan 14, 2025
- Published
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Created with Nataliia Yermolovych, MD, Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Doctors generally recommend abstaining from sex when you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Not only can sex with a UTI be uncomfortable, but it could also slow down your recovery, and you risk introducing further bacteria. You should wait until your symptoms have cleared up before having sex again. In the future, peeing straight after sex can help you avoid further UTIs.
To answer the question, “Can you have sex with a UTI?”, we must first understand the basics . UTIs affect your urinary tract, which includes your bladder, urethra, and kidneys. UTIs are a common infection, with over half of all women experiencing at least one during their lifetime. Sexual activity can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, leading to infection.
If you aren’t experiencing discomfort from your UTI, you may wonder if you can have sex. Sex with a UTI can aggravate your symptoms and delay your recovery. In this guide, we’ll look at why UTIs are common after sex, how long you need to wait before having sex, and how to avoid UTIs in the future.
Femia helps you understand your symptoms and when to take action
What is a UTI? How does it relate to sex?
A UTI is an infection in the urinary tract, which consists of the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. Common causes include bacteria introduced during sexual activity, dehydration, and a weakened immune system.
Common UTI symptoms include:
- A burning sensation or pain when peeing
- Frequent urination
- Needing to pee urgently
- Needing to pee more often in the night
- Cloudy urine
- Blood in your urine
- Lower tummy pain
- Back pain just below your ribs
- Fever or chills
If you are experiencing other concerning symptoms, such as cramps after sex or bleeding during sex, these are unlikely to be related to a UTI, and you should contact your doctor for a diagnosis.
Can I have sex if I have a UTI?
There are no hard and fast rules about sex with a UTI, but generally, your doctor will advise you to avoid sexual activity for the following reasons:
- Pain and discomfort. A UTI can cause pain or a burning sensation around your genital area, which can make sex unpleasant. The friction could also cause burning during and after sex, which is unlikely to be much of a turn-on.
- Delayed healing. The friction of sex may irritate your urinary tract and exacerbate your symptoms.
- Risk of complications. Friction during sex can irritate the urinary tract and create conditions that hinder the clearance of bacteria, potentially worsening your symptoms.
👉Find out more: Why do I feel sick after sex? Understanding post-sex nausea in women
What happens if you have sex with a UTI?
If you’re wondering whether it’s bad to have sex with a UTI, it may help to familiarize yourself with the risks of having sex with a UTI, including:
- Prolonged infection. If you have sex with a UTI, you’re putting yourself at risk of a prolonged infection. It’s better to leave the area alone to recover. The irritation caused by sex could delay your recovery and drag out your discomfort.
- Worsening symptoms. Any pain, irritation, or inflammation associated with your UTI is likely to be made worse by sex. The friction of sex can exacerbate discomfort and further irritate your already sore urinary tract.
- Spreading the bacteria. Although UTIs themselves are not sexually transmitted, bacteria like E. coli or Ureaplasma can be transferred during sexual activity, potentially leading to infection.
Can UTI be transmitted through sex?
While UTIs can’t be transmitted through sex, it’s possible to suffer from a UTI as a result of having sex. The most common cause of UTI is E. coli infection. This bacteria usually lives in the bowel, but if it gets into your urinary tract, it can make you feel pretty rotten. E. coli bacteria can reach your urinary tract during sex and cause infection. Another possible cause is ureaplasma, a bacteria that usually lives in the urinary tract but can sometimes cause symptoms, including painful urination, irritation, and unusual discharge.
While many people mistakenly think UTIs are sexually transmitted Infections (STIs), this is not the case. An STI is an infection that is spread from one person to another through sexual contact. You can’t give someone a UTI in the same way, though engaging in sexual activity can be the catalyst for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.
Is a UTI contagious from female to male?
No, you can’t spread a UTI during sex. However, it’s crucial to note that you can spread the cause of the UTI. If the bacteria remains in your body during infection, you can spread this to your partner during sex. This bacteria may then trigger your partner to get a UTI. Alternatively, it may reinfect you the next time you have sex, causing another UTI, which you’re probably keen to avoid.
Oral sex and UTI: Is it safe?
No, oral sex is not recommended when you have a UTI due to the risk of infection. During oral sex, bacteria from the mouth can make its way to the urinary tract. You don’t want to add more bacteria to an infected body part. This can work both ways, too. Bacteria from your urinary tract could be transferred to your partner via contact during oral sex. Using a dental dam can prevent the risk of bacteria spreading between you and your partner.
How long after UTI can I have sex?
Ideally, you should wait until all of your UTI symptoms resolve before engaging in sex. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, it’s worth waiting until you’ve finished the course. You must finish the entire antibiotic course even if your symptoms clear up. Failing to do so puts you at risk of a recurrent infection and contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance.
While waiting can be frustrating, giving your body time to heal is vital and reduces the risk of reinfection. Wait until your infection has cleared so you can enjoy sex without worrying about prolonging your symptoms or getting reinfected.
How long should you wait to have unprotected sex after antibiotics for UTI?
Unprotected sex increases the risk of bacteria making its way into your urinary tract. Condoms add a layer of protection and reduce the risk of bacterial transfer. Avoid condoms containing spermicides, however, as these can trigger UTIs in some women.
As soon as you’ve completed your course of antibiotics and your symptoms have cleared up, you can have sex again. You may wish to use condoms for a couple of weeks to protect yourself from another infection; however, it’s your call to make.
Femia helps you understand your symptoms and when to take action
Tips for preventing sexually related UTIs
The following tips will help you reduce your risk of UTI:
- Stay hydrated to encourage frequent urination and keep your urinary tract free from bacteria.
- Always wipe from front to back after visiting the toilet. This reduces the risk of bacteria from your bottom reaching your urinary tract.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water each time you visit the toilet.
- Emptying your bladder before and after sex can flush out bacteria.
- Keep your genital area clean and dry.
- Wear cotton underwear.
- Avoid using perfumes and strong soaps when washing.
- Ask your partner to wash before sexual activity. Removing bacteria before sex helps reduce the risk of infection.
👉Find out more: Does stomach pain after sex mean you are pregnant?
Managing UTI symptoms at home
Some UTIs clear up by themselves within a day or two. To manage your symptoms at home, you should:
- Take acetaminophen to treat pain and fever.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay hydrated to encourage frequent urination to flush out the bacteria.
- Avoid having sex with a UTI.
When to consult a doctor
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat a UTI, though this isn’t always necessary. Some UTIs clear up by themselves without the need for medication. If this is your first UTI, contact your healthcare provider for treatment options.
You must seek medical advice if you experience:
- UTI symptoms for the first time.
- Symptoms that worsen or fail to improve within two days of onset.
- Persistent or recurrent UTIs.
- Severe pain or high fever.
- Difficulty recovering even after antibiotics.
- UTI symptoms during pregnancy.
While UTIs are relatively common infections, they can make you feel pretty bad. You may need antibiotics to clear the infection, so don’t hesitate to contact your doctor for help.
Questions from the Femia community
Can a UTI lead to a kidney infection?
Yes, if left untreated, a UTI can spread to the kidneys. If your symptoms haven’t improved by day two, you must consult your doctor for antibiotic treatment before the infection worsens.
Can you use condoms to prevent UTIs during sex?
Yes, condoms can reduce the risk of bacteria transfer. However, condoms don’t guarantee protection from UTIs, and you may still suffer infections from time to time. Condoms with spermicide are known to trigger UTIs in some women, so avoid these if you think this may be causing your infections.
Does drinking cranberry juice help prevent UTIs after sex?
Cranberry products, particularly those containing high levels of proanthocyanidins, may reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in some individuals but are not a substitute for medical treatment. A 2021 meta-analysis published in PLoS One found that consuming cranberry reduced the risk of UTIs in vulnerable populations.
What if I feel fine but still have bacteria in my urine? Can I have sex?
Not all asymptomatic urinary tract infections require immediate treatment. It's important to consult your doctor to determine the best course of action based on your medical history and risk factors. While you may not have symptoms now, pushing the bacteria further into your urinary tract may trigger symptoms.
The bottom line
Technically, you can have sex during a UTI, but it’s not medically advised because of the risks involved. Potential dangers of having sex with a UTI include discomfort, pain, prolonged symptoms, and risk of reinfection. There’s also a risk that your partner will come into contact with the bacteria that triggered your infection.
While you might be keen to return to it, it’s better to wait until your symptoms resolve. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, you should wait until you have finished the course before resuming sexual activity.
Avoid bacteria coming into contact with your urinary tract to prevent future UTIs. Pee before and after sex to flush out bacteria, and wash your hands thoroughly each time you visit the bathroom and before engaging in sexual activity. Ensure you wipe from front to back when visiting the bathroom. Staying hydrated can reduce the risk of future infections. Speak to your healthcare provider if you suffer from recurrent infections.
References
- Bono MJ, Leslie SW, Reygaert WC. Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. 2023 Nov 13. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 29261874. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29261874/.
- Christian Moro, et al. Cranberry Juice, Cranberry Tablets, or Liquid Therapies for Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis, European Urology Focus, 2024, ISSN 2405-4569, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.002.
- Chu CM, Lowder JL. Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jul;219(1):40-51. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231. Epub 2018 Jan 2. PMID: 29305250. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29305250/.
- Moore EE, Hawes SE, Scholes D, Boyko EJ, Hughes JP, Fihn SD. Sexual intercourse and risk of symptomatic urinary tract infection in post-menopausal women. J Gen Intern Med. 2008 May;23(5):595-9. doi: 10.1007/s11606-008-0535-y. Epub 2008 Feb 12. PMID: 18266044; PMCID: PMC2324148. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18266044/.
- Schulz L, Hoffman RJ, Pothof J, Fox B. Top Ten Myths Regarding the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections. J Emerg Med. 2016 Jul;51(1):25-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.02.009. Epub 2016 Apr 7. PMID: 27066953. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27066953/.
- Xia JY, Yet al. Consumption of cranberry as adjuvant therapy for urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. PLoS One. 2021 Sep 2;16(9):e0256992. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256992. PMID: 34473789; PMCID: PMC8412316. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34473789/.
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