Can You Have Sex During A UTI? Everything You Need To Know

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) rank right up there with yeast infections as some of the most acutely uncomfortable conditions that can affect a person with a vagina. So it makes sense that while in the throes of your UTI, you may have zero desire to have sex. After all, when your urethra feels like it's on fire and you're crying because it hurts so bad to pee out a mere trickle of urine, the old libido tends to fizzle. But if you're feeling it, is it safe to have sex during a UTI?

You only really need to hold off if you're experiencing bloody urine or suprapubic (lower abdominal) pain, in which case you should see a doc ASAP, adds Richardson.

Having sex during a UTI may cause pain or irritation because of how close the urethra is to the clitoris and vagina. Your partner's penis, fingers, or tongue may inadvertently rub against the urethra, causing irritation.

Whenever you have sex, there's always some chance that you'll introduce new bacteria into the urethra. If that happens when you already have a UTI, you could potentially trigger a new infection, which prolongs your overall recovery time.

UTIs are not a sexually transmitted infection, but it's possible to pass the bacteria that cause the infection (such as E. coli) to your partner. For example, a person with a penis may rub their penis against their partner's urethra, moving the bacteria around and potentially putting himself at risk of infection. That said, it's not common for men to get a UTI1. About 3% of men get UTIs each year.

You can have sex during a UTI as long as you and your partner are comfortable with it, so there's no set amount of time you need to wait to start having sex. But experts suggest waiting until symptoms have cleared: "I typically recommend waiting until the woman feels better before having intercourse. Often it's within a few days of starting treatment," says Trubow.

Just make sure to pee before and after having sex to flush out as much of the bacteria from the urethra as possible, and take breaks during sex if you feel the need to pee.

To prevent UTIs, Trubow recommends:

These precautions are particularly important for people who deal with recurring UTIs. Richardson adds that it also may be helpful to take a daily probiotic specifically formulated with vaginal health in mind that contains two strains of lactobacillus. These will help balance yeast and bacteria and maintain healthy vaginal flora.