At 55 and 52, my wife & I still enjoy sex, but she gets a urinary infection every time.
Posted by John Fidi on 11/01/2006 in Lynne's Advice Q & A
Dear D.S..,
Well, that's no fun! Just thinking about getting a UTI would keep the
temperature running cold.
UTI's are more common in women than in men and there are many possible
causes. Given your wife's age, I'm going to guess that menapause is the
culprit. Lower levels of estrogen decreases the acidity in the vagina,
which in turn lowers resistance to bacteria. Some studies have found that
women on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) had less incidences of UTI's,
however, concerns about other risks on HRT may make that option less
appealing. Another option is a topical estrogen cream, which would be
applied to the vaginal and urethral tissues. Your wife could explore both
these alternatives with her doctor. There are other things that can be done
to help prevent a urinary tract infection. With menopause also comes an
increase in urgency to urinate. It's best to go when the need arises then
to try to hold off. Also, she should urinate immediately following sex.
Avoid vaginal penetration with your toy or any other sex toy if it was
roaming in or around the anal area as this could spread bacteria to the
vagina and urethra. Drinking plenty of water and adding a glass a day of
cranberry juice can also reduce the risk. And finally, decrease intake of
substances that can irritate the bladder, such as caffeine, acidic and spicy
foods.
