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Out of some of the most common infections worldwide, UTI (urinary tract infection) is one of them. A recent study found that about 60% of women and 12% of men are likely to develop UTIs at least once in their lifetime. Because UTI can transfer from one person to another during sexual activity, doctors often advise avoiding sex when dealing with UTI. While sex is prohibited, masturbation can serve as a haven. Many misconceptions are circulating about the idea of masturbating with UTI. Some insist on believing that masturbation worsens UTI symptoms. In this guide, myths and facts will be explored about masturbation and its effect on UTI and developing UTI.
UTI is abbreviated from urinary tract infection. It is caused by bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli or E. Coli. Bacteria travel from the urethra into the bladder. While the infection affects both genders, women are more likely to contract it because of their shorter urethra. E. Coli is a bacteria that resides in the intestine and sometimes moves to the anus, from where it gets into the urethra. Many symptoms accompanying UTI vary in severity, and its mild form is easily treatable through antibiotics. Untreated UTIs can lead to serious complications like kidney harm and sepsis.
It is the act of satisfying sexual needs that men and women do by using their hands. The genital organs are stimulated through external manipulation of the area—males at puberty practice masturbation more often due to testosterone surge and subsequent need for sexual pleasure.
There is no clear answer to that. While some experts suggest not to masturbate with UTI, others believe there is no hazard accompanying it. However, masturbation does not cause UTI but may involve exacerbating the existing symptoms and developing unwanted complications. When done more often, the genital parts tend to get sensitive to touch and cause more pain and discomfort.
While masturbation is not a cause of concern comparatively to having sexual activity, as sexual intercourse creates a more favorable environment for contracting UTI than masturbation, UTI can happen during masturbation only when hygiene is not maintained throughout; otherwise, there is no scientific basis for developing UTI due to masturbation.
Some men are more likely to develop UTI than others because of existing medical conditions like diabetes or an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), weakening of the immune system, and narrowing of the opening of the bladder, respectively, causing incomplete emptying of the bladder and hence less bacterial outage. Pregnant women are at more risk of developing UTI because their immune system activity is compromised, and the ability to fight infections significantly drops.
A less-known health benefit of masturbation is it relieves pain associated with UTI. Some women may even be urged to masturbate when a UTI is coming on. It relieves pain, moisturizes the vagina, and removes old bacteria from the cervix.
Also, in men, masturbation temporarily increases blood flow to the genital organ and increases immune system activity, hence the ability of a body to fight against infection.
Conventionally, it was strongly believed that kidneys serve as a reservoir for semen and that frequent ejaculation or masturbation could lead to sickness and poor health. This is a myth according to modern science.
Many myths are circulating about masturbation and its effect on the kidneys. The concept of the effect of masturbation on kidneys originates from traditional Chinese medicine. A small study conducted in 2020 hypothesized that devotees of traditional Chinese practices believed that people with impaired kidney function tend to have low sexual desire.
There is no scientific evidence that could prove that masturbation affects the kidneys. However, if proper hygiene is not followed during masturbation, a UTI may develop. Also, the size of the urethra is a contributing factor here. People with vaginas are more inclined to UTI than people with penises because of short urethra.
It becomes easy to diagnose UTI when the symptoms are known. Common manifestations of UTI include
Based on clinical pathophysiology and severity of the infection, urinary tract infection is of two types: lower and upper urinary tract infection. When left untreated, UTI spreads to the kidneys, and more serious symptoms may appear, including bladder infection symptoms. And they are
Prevention is better than cure is a popular saying in medical practices. It is wise to seek medical advice when any of the symptom listed above is apparent after masturbation to rule out the possibility of developing UTI.
The most prominent risk factor associated with masturbating with UTI is contracting another UTI infection. Increased bacterial load exhausts the body’s ability to fight against infection.
The following precautions are advised to be taken by both Men and women:
If it is a woman in question, the following additional precautions are advised to be taken:
Urinary tract infections can occur at any time in life, and there is no one cause. Masturbation, while safe with UTI, is recommended and hence preferable to avoid it until and unless the infection resolves. Moreover, good hygiene practices and following precautionary measures are advisable. Seek medical attention even for mild UTIs to ignore the potential adverse effects of untreated infection.