Clean Your Sex Toys for Better Health

We’re going to talk about a decidedly unsexy topic that can come from sex. No, I’m not talking about how kids can ruin your sex life (link). But a UTI, otherwise known as a Urinary Tract Infection or a bladder infection, can put a damper on your love life for a week or more.
Here are five ways to prevent a UTI — and a few to treat one without antibiotics — so you can stay sexy!

1. Urinate after sex. Okay, I know you’d just rather bask in the afterglow and then fall asleep in your lover’s arms. But if you make that quick trip to the bathroom while your lover cleans up, you reduce the risk of a UTI significantly.

2. Keep objects (other than clean sex toys) out of there. Believe it or not, I know someone who caught a UTI when her husband fingered her while she was wearing denim and no underwear. And although the sensations are amazing, you can also increase your chances of a UTI if you have sex while wearing silk or satin panties or pantyhose. That’s because these items may not be completely clean and may harbor bacteria. If you do so, make sure the clothing is straight-from-the-laundry-clean and hasn’t been sitting in a drawer or in the dryer, and urinate after sex to flush away any bacteria.

3. Make sure your lover is clean. I’m not talking about making sure he’s been tested for STDs (although that’s a good idea if you are not in a monogamous relationship with one partner). I mean make sure he’s well-washed — that includes his hands and any other body parts that may enter you.

4. Never go ass-to-pussy. We’re not passing judgment on going ass-to-mouth. But never, ever send a toy or anything else from back to front without cleaning it off well. Sex toys used for anal play should be sanitized (glass toys can be boiled) before being used again.

5. Keep your sex toys clean. Clean sex toys help prevent UTIs. Check out Vibrator.com’s handy guide to cleaning sex toys to learn how to keep toys of specific materials clean and sanitary.

6. Drink lots of water. Water helps flush bacteria out of your system and can help prevent UTIs.

7. Take cranberry supplements. Cranberry supplements, too, are good for urinary health and aren’t loaded with calories and sugar like cranberry juice or craisins.

How to Treat a UTI Naturally

1. Early detection is key. Think you have a urinary tract infection? Some symptoms include cramping (similar to menstrual cramps) and frequent urinary. If you feel a burning sensation when you urinate, chances are it’s a UTI, and it could be pretty far along. You can still treat it with natural methods, but it may be harder to fight.

2. Drink lots of water. You should stop drinking caffeine altogether. In fact, if you suspect you have a UTI, the only liquids you should drink are water and pure cranberry juice. Pure, 100% cranberry juice can be purchased at most health food stores. It will not taste as sweet as the cranberry juice cocktail you may be used to drinking. You can dilute it with water or apple juice to take away some of the tartness.

3. Take even cranberry supplements. Double up on the cranberry supplements to knock the infection out. Expect to urinate frequently. If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, see your doctor for antibiotics before the UTI can develop into a kidney infection.

* This information is not meant to treat or diagnose any illness. If you suspect you have a UTI or other problem, see you medical care provider.

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