Prevention Steps:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This will allow your urine to be less concentrated and cause you to void more frequently.
• Empty your bladder every 3-4 hours. This is the most important thing that you can do to avoid urinary tract infections.
• After urinating, a woman should only wipe from front to back to prevent any material that might be from the anal area from being drawn into the vaginal area, which may then eventually get into the bladder.
• Avoid constipation. Having a soft bowel movement on a daily basis will decrease the bacterial count in your colon. The way to do this is to increase the water and fiber in your diet.
• Void immediately before and after intercourse. Intercourse causes trauma to your urethra, and emptying your bladder will help decrease your chances of getting an infection. Also showering after intercourse may help decrease chances of infection.
• Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.
• Cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes should be worn, so air can keep the area around the urethra dry.