1. Practice Safe Sex
Urethritis is commonly passed from one sexual partner to another, so the safest thing you can do to limit your exposure is limit your number of sexual partners. You should also use a condom every time you have intercourse. Latex condoms are the best for preventing disease transmission, but polyurethane condoms may be used if you have a latex sensitivity. Avoid condoms with added coloring, flavor or lubrication if you have cause to believe that your urethritis may be chemical in origin.
2. Avoid Chemicals in the Genital Area
Contraceptive creams and jellies may be very irritating to the urethra, so you should eliminate using these items to determine whether they might be causing your urethritis. Avoid douching as well, particularly with douches that contain perfumes and dyes. Be very careful with any type of chemical, whether contraceptive, lubricant or cleansing, that you use in your genital area. Even soap can be an irritant, so be sure to rinse your genitals very thoroughly whenever you shower.
3. Keep Hydrated
Drink as much water as you can. Drinking 64 ounces per day is optimal. Although other beverages can count toward this total, carbonated drinks, alcohol and caffeine can be bladder irritants, so you should try to cut down on your consumption of these--or at least offset it by drinking extra water. The more water you drink, the more you will urinate, and urinating allows your body to rid itself of potentially damaging bacteria before infections can take hold.
4. Don't Hold it in
When you feel the need to urinate, you should try to get to a bathroom as soon as possible. The longer you hold in your urine, the more likely your chances of developing urethritis, as holding urine permits bacteria to grow. Urinating immediately after sexual intercourse can also prove helpful in avoiding infection, particularly if you are female.
