Can You Have Sex With a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common health issue that many women experience at least once. It’s not only uncomfortable but can also be quite disruptive to your daily routine — and, your sex life. One of the questions that often arises is: can you have sex with a UTI? 

Even though urinary tract infections aren't classed as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it's generally best to avoid sexual activity while recovering from a urinary tract infection. 

What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection in any part of your urinary system, which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract, specifically the bladder and the urethra.

Common UTI symptoms include:

• A strong, persistent urge to pee
• A burning sensation when peeing
• Painful urination
• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
• Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain

It’s worth noting that UTI symptoms can look and feel like the symptoms of some sexually transmitted infections. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s a good idea to get evaluated by your healthcare practitioner.

What causes a UTI?

UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and multiply in the bladder. Certain factors, such as sexual activity, can facilitate bacterial growth in the urinary tract. The most common type of bacteria that causes urinary tract infections is Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is typically found in the gastrointestinal tract, but other organisms can cause UTIs as well. 

Women — especially sexually active women — are more prone to urinary tract infections than men due to the shorter length of the urethra, which allows bacteria easier access to the bladder. Other factors that put you at an increased risk of developing a UTI include:

• Sexual intercourse
• Certain types of birth control, such as diaphragms and spermicide
• Menopause or at other times of hormone deficiency (such as breastfeeding), due to changes in the urinary tract that come with reduced estrogen levels
• Having a urinary catheter
• A history of frequent UTIs
• A suppressed immune system. 

Can you have sex with a UTI?

Technically, yes, you can have sex when you have a UTI, but it’s not necessarily a good idea. Having sex while you have a UTI can be uncomfortable, potentially make your symptoms worse, and might even prolong the infection.

Having sex while you have a UTI carries certain risks:

• Increased discomfort and pain: A UTI already causes uncomfortable symptoms. Adding the friction and pressure from penetrative sex can intensify these symptoms, making sex painful. The urethra, which is already irritated, may become even more inflamed, leading to increased pain during and after sex.
• Prolonging the infection: Sex can spread bacteria into the urinary tract, potentially making a UTI worse. If the bacteria spread beyond the bladder and into the kidneys, it could lead to a more serious infection that might require stronger antibiotics and a longer recovery time. This more serious infection is known as a kidney infection.
• Reduced effectiveness of treatment: If you’re currently taking antibiotics for your UTI, engaging in sexual activity could interfere with your recovery. Your body needs time to heal, and additional irritation from sex can hinder the effectiveness of the treatment.

The TLDR is that the risks outweigh the benefits of having sex with a UTI! It’s safer to engage in anal sex or manual sex than vaginal intercourse when you have a UTI, but let’s be honest: who would be in the mood for sex when you’re dealing with the symptoms of a UTI?

You should wait until after you’ve finished your antibiotic treatment and your symptoms have gone away before having sex again. Even if you start feeling better, it’s important to remember that the infection might still be present. It can be tricky to know exactly when your UTI is fully cleared based on symptoms alone. That’s why it’s really important to always complete the full course of your prescribed medication.

How to treat and prevent a UTI 

Treating a urinary tract infection usually involves a mix of antibiotics, lifestyle changes, and preventive measures.

Your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics based on how serious the infection is and the specific type of bacteria causing it. Common antibiotics for UTIs include nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fosfomycin, and ciprofloxacin. Your healthcare provider may also recommend taking over-the-counter pain relief to ease any discomfort or inflammation.

Remember to take the full course of antibiotics as directed, even if you start feeling better before you finish the medicine, to make sure the infection is completely gone.

There are also a few preventative measures you can take to prevent UTIs from coming back:

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush out bacteria from your urinary tract. Staying well-hydrated is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to manage a UTI and prevent future infections.
• Practice good hygiene: Wiping from front to back after using the toilet, peeing before and after sex, and keeping your sex toys clean may help prevent the spread of bacteria that cause UTIs.
• Use protection: Barrier methods like condoms and dental dams prevent bacteria from entering your urinary tract and vaginal microbiome, reducing your risk of a bacterial infection. Condoms also help protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Consider switching birth control: Certain birth control methods may make you more susceptible to UTIs because of how they affect your vaginal microbiome.

When to see a healthcare provider

If your UTI symptoms persist despite treatment, if you experience symptoms such as a high temperature, chills, back pain, or nausea, or if you have recurrent UTIs, it’s essential to see a doctor. These could be signs of a more serious infection or an underlying condition that needs further investigation.

FAQ

How long should I wait to have sex after a UTI?

It’s best to wait until you’ve finished your full course of antibiotics and your symptoms have resolved before having sex again after a UTI. This is particularly important even for an ordinary bladder infection to prevent antibiotic resistance. This usually takes around a week. This usually means waiting a few days after your treatment ends, giving your body enough time to heal and reducing the risk of irritation or recurrence. Listening to your body is key — if you’re feeling comfortable and symptom-free, you’re likely ready to get back to your normal activities, including sex.

Can you pass a UTI to your partner?

A UTI itself isn’t considered a sexually transmitted infection, so you can’t “pass” a UTI to your partner in the way you might pass an STI. However, a urinary tract infection (UTI) can still be influenced by sexual activity, which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract. Sex can introduce bacteria that cause UTIs into your partner’s urinary system during sexual activity, which can sometimes lead to them developing a UTI, especially in women who are more prone to these infections. It’s something to consider if you have sex with other women.

What should you not do with a UTI?

If you think you have a UTI, don't ignore your symptoms or put off getting help, as this could lead to complications (such as a kidney infection). Try not to hold in your pee, as that can let bacteria grow in your urinary tract. It's also best to avoid sex until you're feeling better since it can make things worse. And, steer clear of stuff like douches, scented soaps, or strong feminine hygiene sprays, because they can really irritate your urinary tract.