{"id":42133,"date":"2024-05-07T08:58:21","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T06:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/?p=42133"},"modified":"2024-10-30T05:07:39","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T04:07:39","slug":"do-condoms-cause-utis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/do-condoms-cause-utis\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Condoms Cause UTIs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a pain in the\u2026 well, urethra.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only are they incredibly uncomfortable, but they can also potentially lead to bladder and kidney infections, not fun!<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the beginning of time, women have been told to pee after sex. While there\u2019s little <\/span>scientific evidence<\/span><\/a> on whether this actually helps prevent UTIs, it\u2019s coming from a good place and there\u2019s no harm in doing it. Females have a higher risk of developing UTIs because the distance between the urethra to the rectum is shorter than in males. We\u2019ve been doing everything we can to prevent the dreaded stinging and constant need to pee that comes with a UTI.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, that leaves us with the question \u2013 could another habit of ours be causing them? Could our efforts to prioritize our sexual health by using condoms be hurting our urinary tracts? Do condoms cause UTIs?<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to find out!<\/span><\/p>\n

Condoms and UTIs<\/h2>\n

There is very limited research on the link between condoms and UTIs. One <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> suggested that a group of women who used condoms regularly had a higher risk of developing UTIs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before you start second-guessing your sexual health habits, listen to this. The condoms that they used all had a specific type of spermicide. The vaginal membrane is highly absorbent, meaning it can absorb chemicals more easily than other parts of the body, which can increase the risk of infections. Condoms containing spermicide may contribute to <\/span>bacterial growth<\/span><\/a>, potentially leading to a urinary tract infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the flip side, using the right condoms may actually help prevent UTIs. That means opting for a high-quality condom that\u2019s coated with a water-based lube.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if certain types of condoms slightly increase your risk of developing a UTI, you have to weigh the pros and cons. The risk of contracting or transmitting an STI or having an unplanned pregnancy outweighs any potential risk of a UTI.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Really Causes UTIs<\/h2>\n

Bacteria is all around us, on us, and inside us. It\u2019s also on the person (or people) you\u2019re having sex with. Bacteria, usually<\/span> E.coli<\/span><\/i>, also happens to be the culprit behind UTIs. When you\u2019re having sex, bacteria from your partner or even from your own rectum can enter your urinary tract and lead to an infection. No, that doesn\u2019t mean you or your partner are dirty, you just happen to be on a planet that\u2019s full of wonderful microorganisms.<\/span><\/p>\n

As luck would have it, certain people are more susceptible to UTIs than others. That includes those who are immunocompromised or pregnant, and of course, people who are assigned female at birth (AFAB). An estimated <\/span>20%<\/span><\/a> of AFAB people will have a UTI at some point in their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

UTIs can cause symptoms like:<\/span><\/p>\n