Urinating After Sexual Intercourse: Is it Necessary?

It is often said that urinating after sex is very important. Some women may not feel as though they need to urinate after sex, while others simply may feel lazy to do it before they fall asleep or may be in too big of a rush in the morning to urinate before leaving the house. So, is this true or nothing more than just another medical myth? Is it necessary to urinate after having sex? Here are some of the things that you should know about why urinating after sexual intercourse is important.

Should You Urinate After Having Sexual Intercourse?

Women should be sure to urinate after they have sex each and every time. The reason is because you will greatly reduce your risk of developing a urinary tract infection, or UTI. According to Barnard College, UTIs occur when the bacteria E. coli travels from the colon to the urethra and bladder areas. Since all of these areas are close to another, there is a risk of E. coli causing a UTI after sexual intercourse.

Keep in mind that urinating after sex is not a full-proof way to prevent a UTI, as anyone can experience one at any time. Urinating after sex simply reduces the risk. This is why it is important to be aware of the signs of urinary tract infections. The frequent urge to urinate, a painful sensation when urinating, and cloudy, foul-smelling or blood in the urine are all symptoms of UTIs, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Is it Abnormal to Feel a Strong Urge to Urinate After Sex?

If you experience the urge to urinate following sexual intercourse, it is important to keep in mind that this is perfectly normal. Sexual intercourse and other sexual activities put pressure on the bladder, which irritates the urethra and, ultimately, causes the urge to urinate. On the other hand, if you do not experience this urge, it is ideal to urinate after having sexual intercourse anyway.

Ultimately, it is important to keep in mind that urinating after sex is very important. Not only are you likely to feel the urge to urinate because of bladder pressure, but doing so can help prevent you from experiencing a UTI. If you have experienced urinary tract infections in the past, then you know how uncomfortable they can be.

Sources:

Barnard College, "Q&A."

University of Maryland Medical Center, "Urinary tract infection - Symptoms."