To answer the question, “Are UTIs sexually transmitted?” we must understand the difference between a UTI and an STI. UTI stands for urinary tract infection, a bacterial infection within the urinary tract. STI stands for sexually transmitted infection, which are bacterial or viral infections passed through sexual activity.
Although these infections differ, people sometimes confuse one for the other because they both affect the genital area and may cause similar symptoms. This article explores what a UTI is, how it differs from an STI, common misconceptions about UTIs, and tips for preventing these infections from coming back.
Are UTIs Sexually Transmitted?
Can a UTI Be Sexually Transmitted?
In short, no, a UTI is not a sexually transmitted infection. The physical act of sexual intercourse can cause a UTI by pushing gastrointestinal bacteria on the skin into the urinary tract, but the infection-causing bacteria live inside the body.
If you’re fighting a UTI, you have no need for embarrassment. More than 150 million people get these infections every year, and UTIs are easily treatable.
What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
We know that UTIs are not sexually transmitted, but how do UTIs occur? People contract urinary tract infections when bacteria from their digestive tract enter their urinary tract, which consists of the urethra (pee hole), bladder, ureters (tubes that run from the kidneys to the bladder), and kidneys. Most UTIs occur in the bladder, which is why many people refer to UTIs as bladder infections or cystitis.
Besides intercourse, several activities and circumstances can make you susceptible to UTIs, including douching, dehydration, “holding it” when you need to urinate, menopause, and diabetes. If you think you may have a UTI, visit your doctor for a urinalysis. They can diagnose your UTI and provide you with a treatment prescription.
Women tend to get UTIs more often than men because they have much shorter urethras that open closer to the rectum (a source of bacteria). Still, people with both male and female genitalia periodically deal with these infections.
Male UTI Symptoms
Men don’t suffer from UTIs as often as women because male urethras are longer, so bacteria must travel much farther to reach the bladder. Male UTI symptoms include the following:
- Frequent urination
- Constantly feeling the urge to urinate
- Odorous and cloudy urine
- Burning while urinating or afterward
- Difficulty urinating
- Minor fever
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
Female UTI Symptoms
The most common symptoms for women with UTIs include:
- Painful urination or burning sensation
- Consistent urge to urinate
- Odorous or milky urine
- Hematuria (blood in urine)
- Pressure in the lower abdomen
- Fatigue or shakiness (especially in older women)
- Fever (may indicate a kidney infection)
If you experience any of the symptoms above and suspect you have a UTI, visit your doctor or a nearby urgent care center. UTIs are very treatable but can cause severe conditions like a kidney infection if left untreated.
UTIs, STIs, and Sex
The type of bacteria indicates the primary difference between UTIs and STIs. The bacteria that cause UTIs already live in the body’s gastrointestinal tract and are often located around the rectum. You can pass the bacteria on to your sexual partner but not the infection itself.
STIs, on the other hand, pass from person to person through sexual contact because the infection lives in the person’s skin, saliva, sperm, or other bodily fluids. STIs can present with very different symptoms than UTIs. If you’re dealing with any of the following symptoms, seek same-day STD testing at a Rapid STD Testing lab:
- Rash, blisters, or lumps in the genital area
- Abnormal penile or vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pain or itchiness
- Spotting or unusually heavy menstruation
The above symptoms do not commonly occur with UTIs but can indicate an STI. Get same-day STD testing through Rapid STD Testing.
Some UTI symptoms can indicate an STI. Learn more about frequent urination and STDs.
Can a UTI Be Passed Sexually?
As discussed above, you cannot pass a UTI to your partner during sexual intercourse, but that is not to say that UTIs don’t sometimes occur after sex. Intercourse can introduce rectal bacteria into the urethra that can then travel to the bladder and begin to multiply, causing bacterial growth. Certain things may put you at greater risk of infection, including using a diaphragm or having sex with a new partner, but UTIs are not contagious.
So, is a UTI a sexually transmitted infection? No, but sex may contribute to a UTI, and you can pass on the infection-causing bacteria to your sexual partner. Keep yourself and your partners safe by following the preventative tips found farther below.
Are UTIs Caused by STDs?
The answer to this question is the same as the answer to “Is a UTI sexually transmitted?” No, although some STIs can infect the urinary tract, such as trichomonas, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. STIs in the urinary tract can resemble UTIs but are caused by different bacteria.
Can a UTI Cause STD?
No, although you can suffer from both types of genital infections simultaneously. If you need help determining whether an STI or UTI is causing your urinary symptoms, get a rapid STD test from Rapid STD Testing.
Other Misconceptions About UTIs
Many misconceptions about UTIs exist, so let’s clear up some confusion by looking at the most common UTI myths:
Only Unclean People Get UTIs
This misconception stems from the fact that bacteria from the rectum causes UTIs, but having a UTI doesn’t mean you have poor personal hygiene. In fact, the direction in which you wipe has more to do with UTIs than any other aspect of hygiene. If you wipe back to front, you may be pushing gastrointestinal bacteria towards your urethra.
Otherwise, personal hygiene does not affect a person’s risk of UTIs. If anything, using too many soaps and chemicals in your genital area can disrupt healthy bacteria, causing yeast infections and vaginosis in women. Click here to learn more about the differences between UTIs and yeast infections.
My UTI Will Go Away By Itself
UTIs may resolve on their own, but untreated UTIs may lead to more serious issues like a kidney infection. It’s always best to seek medical treatment.
If you receive an antibiotic prescription, be sure to take it for as long as the doctor instructs. Stopping antibiotic treatment too early may result in the UTI coming back.
Preventing UTIs From Coming Back
Once you have your UTI under control, keep the following tips in mind to prevent it from returning:
Don’t Hold Back Your Urine
If you need to urinate, stop what you’re doing and find a bathroom. Holding your pee can increase your chance of getting a UTI and worsen existing mild infections. This tip may seem obvious, but we understand that it’s easy to ignore the urge to urinate if you have a busy schedule.
Urinate Immediately After Sex
We know couples in romantic movies always cuddle right after sex, but one of the best ways to prevent UTIs is flushing out the urinary tract right after intercourse. You can cuddle with your partner after you pee.
Don’t Mix Vaginal and Anal Sex
Going back and forth between the vagina and anus during penetrative sex may spread gastrointestinal bacteria into the urethra.
UTI or STI? Find Out What’s Causing Your Symptoms
We hope we satisfactorily answered the question, “Are UTIs sexually transmitted?” We understand how uncomfortable urinary symptoms can be, so we offer fast and confidential STI testing at facilities throughout the U.S.
Find out if an STI is causing your urinary symptoms with a 10-panel STD test. Contact us today to find a Rapid STD Testing center near you.
The post Are UTIs Sexually Transmitted? Common Misconceptions appeared first on Rapid STD Testing.
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