There is a legend that you have to urinate after sex. However, when we finish we are too tired or totally relaxed to get up. Is it really necessary to get up and go to the bathroom?
It is not necessary, but it is useful. Urinating after sex can help prevent urinary tract infections. UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract, usually through the urethra, and travel to the bladder.
If we have a vagina, the urethra, the opening through which urine comes out, is close to the vaginal opening. If we have a penis, the urethra releases urine and semen, although not at the same time. Urinating after sex can help flush bacteria that was introduced during intercourse from the urethra. While it's not a foolproof way to prevent sexually related UTIs, it's a fairly simple way to try.
Benefits
Normally, urinating after having sex is linked to women. And this advice may have a lot to do with certain advantages.
Prevents urinary tract infections
For women, the urethra is placed just above the vagina. This location leaves the urethra vulnerable to new bacteria that can be introduced during sexual intercourse.
When urine stays there and new bacteria is introduced, this bacteria can grow and lead to a urinary tract infection in some people. A urinary system infection is usually located in the bladder and urethra. The risk of a urinary tract infection is higher if we do not use condoms and have penetrative sex with a penis.
Also, there are bacteria in the sperm that can upset that balance. And when we say bacteria, they are all normal bacteria and not necessarily bad. Just as the vagina has its own microbiome, so does semen.
Prevention in women
Urinating after sex isn't a bad idea, but some people are more likely to benefit from reduced risk of urinary tract infection.
If we have a vagina and are prone to UTIs, we may benefit more from urinating after sex. The path from the urethra to the bladder is short, so the bacteria don't have to travel far to cause a UTI. If we have a vagina but aren't prone to UTIs, peeing after sex may not be as important, but it won't hurt.
Urinating after sex is less beneficial for people who have a penis. That's because the urethra is much longer. The bacteria have to travel much farther to cause a urinary tract infection.
Maintains vaginal pH in balance
Candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina that usually occurs when we are sexually active, are the consequences of a change in vaginal pH. Yeast and bacteria live in a delicate balance in the vagina, and when they are in harmony, this is something you normally don't notice.
We will only be aware of this balance when, suddenly, the environment is disturbed and there is an excessive growth of yeast or bacteria. If we have penetrative sex in which our partner ejaculates into (or near the vagina), the sperm can alter the pH of the vagina. Sperm makes the vaginal pH more alkaline, which can affect the vaginal microbiome and precipitate an infection.
The use of condoms means that no real sperm will mix with the vagina, and there will be less risk of pH disturbance. However, experts recommend going to the bathroom and emptying your bladder after sex anyway. The same is true if we were to have penetrative sex using something other than a penis, such as fingers or toys. These things can also contain bacteria that upset the vaginal balance. This also applies to oral sex: as you know, the mouth has a lot of bacteria.
Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are the two most common vaginal infections. Both are treatable: if we have yeast infections, we can use an over-the-counter antifungal treatment; while for bacterial vaginosis, the doctor will first need to test for infection and then prescribe antibiotics.
Myths about urine after sex
If we are trying to conceive, urinating after intercourse will not affect the ability of sperm to reach the fallopian tubes in search of an egg. Also, if we're trying to prevent pregnancy, urinating after sex won't do anything; in fact, the sperm and semen will already have entered the uterus, no matter how fast we go to the bathroom.
In addition to not being a method of birth control, urinating after sex is also not helpful when it comes to preventing sexually transmitted infections.
Keep in mind that peeing will not prevent pregnancy, even if you urinate seconds after ejaculate has been released. During vaginal intercourse, ejaculate is released into the vaginal canal. Urine is released from the urethra. These are two completely separate openings. In other words, releasing urine from the urethra will not remove anything from the vagina. If the semen has entered the vagina, there is no going back. The sperm is already traveling upwards to try to fertilize an egg.
recommended time
Although there is no need to run to the bathroom, we will try to pee fairly soon after intercourse. The general guideline is to urinate in 30 minutes. Waiting longer will mean that the bacteria enter the bladder.
And, even if there is no penile penetration, if our partner engages in oral sex or cunnilingus, which focuses on oral contact with the clitoris (which is very close to the opening of the urethra), bacteria can be pushed from the mouth and the tongue into the urethra. In this case it is also recommended to urinate after sex.