Sometimes you just want to relax, cuddle a little longer, or you simply forget. Then, a few hours—or a few days—later, the burning sensation when you pee, the constant urge to go to the bathroom, or a dull discomfort in the lower belly appears. These symptoms can interrupt daily life and turn an intimate moment into a source of stress.
The good news? There’s a quick, expert-recommended habit that supports your body’s natural defenses. Once you understand why it helps, you might wonder why you didn’t make it a routine sooner.
How sexual activity can affect the urinary tract
During sex, physical contact and friction can make it easier for bacteria from the skin, genital area, or anus to move toward the urethra—the tube that carries urine out of the body. This occurs more easily than many people realize because the urinary and reproductive systems sit very close together.
- In women, the urethra is short (about 4 cm), so bacteria have a shorter path to travel.
- In men, the urethra is longer (about 20 cm), which offers more distance, but the risk isn’t zero.
If bacteria remain there, they can multiply and cause irritation or infection.
Continue on the next page