?Why Should You Pee After Sex
?Why Should You Pee After Sex
Why do women’s health and hygiene guides tell you to pee after sex? In this brief article, we’ll explain what peeing after sex has to do with UTIs and your bladder
?Why do I have to pee after sex
It’s a good idea to always pee after sex. It’s especially beneficial for women’s health. Here are a few reasons why
1. Urinary tract infections
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs in any area of the urinary system, such as the bladder, urethra, or kidneys. An infection of the urinary tract generally occurs when bacteria gets into your urinary tract through your urethra and starts multiplying in your bladder. If your urinary tract’s natural defenses fail, bacteria can grow and cause an infection
?What are the risk factors for urinary tract infections
UTIs occur more commonly in women. Some particular things that increase women’s risk of contracting UTIs include
Female anatomy — Women’s urethras are shorter than men’s. This reduces the distance that bacteria have to travel to enter the bladder
Certain kinds of birth control — Women who use diaphragms and/or spermicidal agents for birth control have an increased risk of contracting a UTI
Sexual activity — The risk of developing a UTI is greater in women who are sexually active than women who aren’t. Your risk is also increased if you have a new sex partner
Menopause — The reduced level of estrogen hormone after menopause causes urinary tract changes, making you more prone to infection
Some other factors that can increase your risk of contracting a UTI are
Abnormalities of the urinary tract — Babies who are born with urinary tract abnormalities, which inhibit the proper flow of urine, are more prone to developing UTIs
Urinary tract blockages — Stones in the kidneys or bladder can cause urine to get stuck in your bladder and make you more prone to developing UTIs
A recent urinary tract procedure — A surgery or examination of the urinary tract involving medical instruments can increase the risk of a UTI
Catheter use — Using a catheter to pass urine can make you prone to developing a UTI. You may have to use a catheter if you are hospitalized, paralyzed, or have neurological problems that affect your ability to pass urine
Symptoms and signs of a urinary tract infection are
A sudden urge to pee
Increased urinary frequency (you may pass a small amount of urine frequently)
A burning or painful sensation while peeing
Cloudy or smelly urine
Blood in the urine
Pain in the lower abdomen
Feeling unwell or tired
Behavioral changes such as agitation or severe confusion, especially in the elderly
Treating a urinary tract infection
Visit your physician if you develop symptoms and signs of a urinary tract infection. They may prescribe antibiotic medicines to treat them. After starting treatment, the UTI symptoms will usually start clearing up within five days. Make sure to complete the entire course of medicine, even if your symptoms improve right away
Preventing a urinary tract infection
You can take the following steps to decrease the risk of developing a urinary tract infection
Drink lots of fluids, particularly water, as this helps dilute the urine and ensures that you pee more frequently, flushing bacteria from the urinary tract
Drink cranberry juice. Though no conclusive studies exist to prove that drinking cranberry juice can prevent the occurrence of a UTI, some women swear by it
Make sure to always pee after sex. Peeing after intercourse may help flush out the baceria from your bladder
Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. This helps prevent bacteria from the anus from spreading to the urethra and vagina
Avoid using feminine hygiene products such as deodorant sprays, powders, and douches in your genital area as they may irritate your urethra
Consider changing your method of birth control. Using diaphragms or condoms with spermicidal agents can lead to the growth of bacteria
2. The female urethra
The urethra is a tube-like organ that helps pass urine out of the bladder. Women’s urethras are shorter (about 2.5 to 4 centimeters) than men’s (about 15 to 20 centimeters). This makes women more prone to getting UTIs, as bacteria have to travel a shorter distance to enter the bladder. A classic UTI symptom is a burning sensation in the urethra while urinating. This occurs because the bacteria can grow in the urinary bladder, kidneys, or urethra
3. The bladder
Your bladder health can directly affect your sex life. The bladder is located between your pelvic bones and is a muscular, hollow organ that expands to hold urine. Your bladder muscles relax as it fills with urine, but once it’s at full capacity, it sends signals to your brain to empty it
During sex, bacteria can enter your urethra, raising your chances of getting an infection. This is why it’s important to always pee after sex as peeing flushes out the germs
Having sex with a full bladder also increases your chances of developing stress urinary incontinence. This condition develops because of weak pelvic floor muscles and/or a weak urethral sphincter. In this condition, the bladder can leak urine during any movement that puts pressure on it, such as coughing, exercising, laughing, sneezing, or having sex
Always pee after sex
It’s always a good idea to pee after sex, particularly for women. Because women’s urethras are shorter than men’s, bacteria can enter easily and cause a urinary tract infection. When you pee after sex, it may help flush out bacteria from the urethra. This helps prevent UTIs
Female Sexual Dysfunction: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options
Sexual dysfunction in women is common and covers a wide variety of problems, including painful sex, vaginal dryness, low libido, and difficulty having an orgasm. If you think your sex life is suffering, or if some of these conditions apply to you, read on for the answers to common questions about female sexual dysfunction
?What is female sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction refers to a cluster of different problems with sex, from painful intercourse to decreased sex drive, and trouble achieving orgasm. About 40 percent of women are affected by sexual dysfunction in some form or another, so there’s nothing unusual or shameful about problems you may be experiencing. Many women experience problems with sexual function at some point, and some have difficulties throughout their lives. There are many medical conditions that come with sexual dysfunction symptoms, so the problem may have nothing to do with how you feel about your partner
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) becomes more common as women age, especially once they go through menopause. The peak age group for FSD is 51–59 years old, around the time of menopause. According to the Sexual Advice Association, sexual problems affect around 1 out of 3 young and middle-aged women and around 1 out of 2 older women. Although sexual dysfunction in men, especially erectile dysfunction, has been extensively studied and there are several medications for males, there is no female sexual dysfunction pill. Many treatments for FSD include treating an underlying medical condition and therapy
Types of female sexual dysfunction
FSD falls into several different types, and treatment varies. Sometimes, sexual trauma in the past results in physical symptoms that make sexual intercourse painful or produce effects that mimic another medical condition. Other causes can include the following
Painful intercourse
When intercourse hurts, it can be difficult to get excited about sex, even if you desire your partner. Vulvodynia is when someone has chronic pain around the opening of the vagina and clitoris. Dyspareunia is general pain during intercourse and can happen from trauma to the pelvis, personal trauma, childbirth, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, large fibroids or ovarian cysts
, and pelvic surgery. A skin condition called Lichen sclerosus, which causes white patches of skin around the genitals, can make the labia itchy and sex painful. There is also a medical condition called vaginismus, which is when the muscles of the vagina spasm when something like a tampon or penis enters it. People who have gone through menopause may experience problems with lubrication in the vagina due to low estrogen levels, also leading to painful intercourse
Arousal disorder
Low libido or decreased sex drive can stem from hormonal changes during menopause (low estrogen levels), hormonal changes at a younger age (ovarian insufficiency, thyroid dysfunction or elevated prolactin levels), or from certain kinds of hormonal birth control. Some people report having reduced desire during pregnancy or due to postpartum depression. Other times, a lack of sex drive can stem from personal trauma or indicate underlying issues in your relationship
Female orgasmic disorder
Female orgasmic disorder is when a woman has a persistent or recurrent problem achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and stimulation. In this case, the doctor will want to know if you’ve been able to orgasm before or have always had this problem
Female sexual dysfunction symptoms
Low sexual desire is the most common symptom of FSD. It includes a lack of interest in sex or unwillingness to be sexual. A sexual arousal disorder, on the other hand, refers to being unable to become aroused during foreplay or sex or being unable to maintain arousal even if your desire for sex is there
Symptoms of orgasmic disorders include consistent difficulty or inability to achieve orgasm even after ongoing stimulation and arousal. Sexual pain disorders include conditions that cause pain during sexual contact or inside and around the vagina. This doesn’t necessarily have to be just from penis-in-vagina stimulation but can be triggered by using tampons or riding a bike
A specific condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) covers female sexual dysfunction symptoms linked to menopause and hormonal changes. Burning or itching in and around the vagina, dryness or discomfort during intercourse, and urinary problems are some of the symptoms. Others include a lack of desire and inability to maintain arousal. In the case of GSM, hormonal treatments may be beneficial
What causes female sexual dysfunction
There are many different causes of FSD. Sexual response involves a complex interplay of physiology, emotions, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle, and relationships. Disruption of any component can affect sexual desire, arousal, or satisfaction
Fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels in your body can also cause a hormonally based lack of desire for sex and inability to become aroused. Some women may feel uncomfortable having sex while pregnant or when breastfeeding, which can be another cause
Certain medical conditions can contribute to female sexual dysfunction. Often, treating the underlying illness can help a woman naturally regain her interest in and ability to enjoy sexual intercourse. Major illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease or blood vessel constriction can contribute to sexual dysfunction, reducing the blood flow to the vagina and labia. There’s a notable correlation between women who have a chronic heart condition and those with FSD. Medications for anxiety and depression, oral contraceptive pills, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapy may have side effects of lowered libido and dryness in the vagina
Fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels in your body can also cause a hormonally based lack of desire for sex and inability to become aroused
Drops in the body’s estrogen levels, especially during menopause, can cause reduced blood flow to the pelvic region and changes in the tissues of your vagina, clitoris, and labia. These effects can make it harder to become aroused, naturally lubricate the inside of the vagina, and achieve orgas
Genital tract conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), adnexal masses, large uterine fibroids, and ovarian masses may also cause dyspareunia. A hormonal imbalance due to ovarian insufficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and high prolactin blood levels may contribute to sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is very common after sexual abuse, molestation, or rape. Professional counseling is likely the best way to help work through trauma in your past. Anxiety and depression often cause people to lose interest in sex, as does general stress in life. Relationship issues with your partner are another potential psychological cause of FSD
Risk factors for developing female sexual dysfunction
While the loss of interest in sex or pain during intercourse may have many causes, there are several things that may increase your risk of developing FSD. These include
Mental illness, including depression and generalized anxiety
Heart disease or high blood pressure (hypertension)
Multiple sclerosis or a spinal cord injury
Gynecological conditions and vulvavaginal atrophy
Past sexual trauma
Problems in your relationship
Obesity and poor body image issues, including eating disorders
Side effects of some medications
Female sexual dysfunction treatment
Some women may find relief through hormonal therapy, specifically estrogen
If FSD is caused by underlying mental illness or personal trauma, treating the condition, like taking anti-anxiety medication or pursuing counseling, may help you work through emotional reasons for being uninterested in sex
Genital conditions that make intercourse painful can be treated depending on the condition, whether it’s topical creams, antibiotics, or, in the case of vaginal conditions that cause pain or muscle spasms, prescription medications to treat the conditio
FSD stemming from pregnancy and childbirth can include changes in the vagina itself, such as a loosening of the canal or pain in certain sexual positions. For women who have lost strength and muscle resilience after delivery, Kegel muscle exercises can help restore strength in the vagina. To perform these, squeeze your vagina muscles, kind of like you’re holding in your pee, then release. Do this for several minutes each day to rebuild the tone in the vagina
Things to remember
There are multiple causes for sexual dysfunction in women, and the way you treat them varies with the reasons they occur. Remember that having trouble with sexual arousal, pain during intercourse, or a lack of sexual desire is common. Nearly half of women have problems with sex or a low libido at some point in their lives. Sexual dysfunction isn’t a cause for shame or embarrassment, although you may feel a little shy discussing these issues with your doctor or gynecologist at first. Medical treatment and/or therapy can go a long way in helping you regain your interest in and enjoyment of se
What Does Horny Goat Weed Do? How People Use It and Its Purported Benefits
Horny goat weed is a medicinal herb that is also known as epimedium, epimedii herba, and yin yang huo. It is part of the Berberidaceae family of plants that includes more than 50 different species. Other plants that belong to this same family include berberis (barberry), caulophyllum (blue cohosh), mahonia (Oregon grape), and nearly 700 others
Many of these plants have been used medicinally throughout the centuries. In more recent decades and despite the introduction of synthetic drugs, these plants are believed by some to be safe, effective, and culturally accepted remedies with fewer side effects than many prescription medications
What is horny goat weed, and is it useful
Horny goat weed has been used for centuries for sexual enhancement. Some of the most common species of this plant that you will see used as supplements include Epimedium grandiflorum and Epimedium sagittatum. It got its name after it was considered to be a powerful aphrodisiac. This claim was made by a Chinese goat herder who thought that his goats had increased sexual activity after eating the plant’s leaves
Today, horny goat weed is frequently used for sexual dysfunction and sexual performance issues like erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. Epimedium is believed to be a safe alternative to prescription drugs and has also been used for other ailments like joint pain, arthritis, mental and physical fatigue, and memory loss. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. Take a quizFind out what you can do with our Health AssistantTrack my periodChooseGet pregnantChoos
Does horny goat weed work
Recent clinical studies have focused on a key chemical compound in horny goat weed called icariin. This compound is a type of flavonoid (a naturally occurring plant pigment) that is thought to help with cardiovascular diseases by decreasing inflammation and lowering lipids, reduce toxins in the body believed to be related to Alzheimer’s disease, aid in fighting specific cancers, increase bone density following menopause, and boost immune support for the management of HIV/AIDS. The results from these studies are inconclusive, meaning there’s not enough evidence to say whether or not horny goat weed helps with these conditions
Herbals are not regulated, so it is always best to consult with your doctor before taking any product containing this herb or any other supplement
Purported Epimedium benefits for men
Epimedium is traditionally used as an herbal supplement for sexual dysfunction. However, the only clinical studies to date have been on laboratory animals and on human cells (in-vivo studies). Because of this, we currently do not know exactly how horny goat weed works in the human body
During male sexual stimulation, there is a release of nitric oxide from the nerve endings in the penis, causing a series of chemical releases in the body, including cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The accumulation of cGMP causes smooth muscle to relax, increasing blood flow into the penis, which leads to an erection
Some studies have researched patients with diabetes-related erectile dysfunction and have shown their cGMP may be suppressed because of a competing chemical called phosphodiesterase-5. Because of this competing chemical, blood flow to the penis is decreased, making it harder to get and maintain an erection. The icariin in horny goat weed has similar properties to medications that block this competing chemical and help men achieve an erection
Horny goat weed to boost libido in women
There is not a lot of scientific information about increasing female sex drive. There is even less information about the purported libido-boosting ability of horny goat weed for women
Even though there are studies that suggest that this herb may be beneficial for women (prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women and decreased cholesterol), this herbal supplement is not well studied and can cause unwanted side effects or interact with other medications you may be taking. Using horny goat weed may increase the levels of estrogen in some women, causing symptoms associated with higher levels of this hormone, such as headaches, irritability, mood swings, and irregular menstrual cycles. Always talk with a doctor before taking any new supplements
Is horny goat weed safe
?what is condom and how we use it
According to various medical sources, horny goat weed extract is possibly safe when eaten in appropriate doses. The appropriate dose of horny goat weed may depend on factors such as age, general health, and other supplements and prescription medication you might be taking. There is not enough scientific evidence to determine an appropriate dose for horny goat weed
Anyway, it’s better not to take this herbal supplement in the following scenarios
You have heart disease. Epimedium can cause rapid, irregular heartbeat and excitability in people with heart disease
You have high blood pressure. Taking horny goat weed along with medications for hypertension might cause your blood pressure to drop too low
You are taking drugs that are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme or drugs that are aromatase inhibitors. Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver, and horny goat weed might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking this herb along with some medications that are processed by the liver might increase the effects of some medications
You have blood clotting problems. Epimedium has the potential to decrease blood clotting. Taking horny goat weed along with medications that also slow clotting can increase the chances of bruising and bleeding
You or your partner take nitroglycerin. The combined use of this prescription drug and horny goat weed can be fatal because of a potentially severe drop in blood pressure
In summary
Please keep in mind that herbals are not regulated by the FDA like prescription drugs are. They might not necessarily be safe for everyone, and dosages can be extremely important. Be sure to read labels carefully and consult your physician before taking any new supplements