Urinary tract health
Flush Out UTIs? 5 Tips for a Healthy Urinary Tract
Staying hydrated can support urinary health, but water alone cannot reliably treat an established urinary tract infection. Use these five practical habits to help lower your risk—and know when symptoms need prompt assessment.
Educational information only; not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice.
A quick answer
Healthy urinary habits may reduce the chance of a UTI, but no prevention step works every time. If you develop burning when you urinate, urgency, frequent urination, lower abdominal discomfort, or blood in your urine, contact a pharmacist or another healthcare professional promptly.
Five practical habits
Everyday steps that may lower UTI risk
Keep hydrated throughout the day
Drink fluids regularly so you stay hydrated and urinate normally throughout the day. Water is a simple choice. There is no single amount that is right for everyone, and drinking extra water does not replace treatment if an infection has started.
If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease—or have been told to limit fluids—ask your healthcare professional before increasing how much you drink.
Keep blood sugar within your target range if you have diabetes
High blood sugar can increase the risk of urinary tract infections. Follow the diabetes plan you made with your healthcare team, take medicines as directed, and monitor your blood sugar as recommended.
If you have diabetes and develop UTI symptoms, seek professional assessment promptly. People with diabetes can face a higher risk of complications from an infection.
Wipe from front to back
After using the toilet, wipe from front to back—especially after a bowel movement. This may help reduce the transfer of bacteria from the anal area toward the urethra.
Use gentle hygiene and avoid harsh or heavily scented products that may irritate sensitive skin.
Consider urinating after intercourse
Urinating soon after sexual intercourse is a commonly recommended habit, particularly for people who notice UTIs occurring after sex. It may help clear bacteria near the urethra.
If you experience frequent or recurring UTIs, speak with a pharmacist or prescriber. Recurrent symptoms deserve an individual assessment rather than repeated self-treatment.
Get help when UTI symptoms begin
Do not rely on water or home remedies to “flush out” a possible infection. Contact a pharmacist or another healthcare professional when symptoms begin.
Ontario pharmacists can assess eligible uncomplicated UTIs and may prescribe an approved antibiotic when appropriate. A prescription is not automatic; the safest next step may be treatment, self-care advice, testing, or referral.
Know the signs
Common UTI symptoms
Contact a pharmacist or another healthcare professional when you notice symptoms such as:
- burning or pain when urinating
- needing to urinate more often or urgently
- passing only small amounts of urine
- lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort
- cloudy, bloody, or unusually strong-smelling urine
UTI symptoms? Ask a MedBox pharmacist
MedBox pharmacists can assess eligible uncomplicated UTI symptoms, review your medications and health history, and recommend the safest next step.
Sources
- HealthLink BC — Urinary Tract Infections in Teenagers and Adults — Hydration, wiping direction, urination after intercourse, symptoms and red flags.
- MyHealth Alberta — UTI in Women: Care Instructions — Prevention habits, fluid-restriction qualifier and urgent symptoms.
- Diabète Québec — Urinary Tract Infections and Diabetes — Blood sugar and diabetes-related risk.
- Province of British Columbia — UTI Primary Care Guideline — Urinary symptoms and systemic-infection red flags.