Sexual intercourse significantly increases a woman's likelihood of developing vaginitis and cystitis. As early research from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Health Services showed, women who have sex more than three times a week have about a 50% chance of an initial urinary tract infection (UTI). Fortunately, according to a report by Cable News Network (CNN), a recent study by Finnish researchers indicates that if women slightly alter their diet, they can reduce the frequency of these troublesome UTIs.
The researchers found that women who drank at least one glass of fresh or unsweetened concentrated juice daily had a 34% lower risk of UTIs compared to those who rarely consumed juice. The effect was even more significant if they drank a glass immediately after sexual intercourse. [美食中国]
The researchers explained that the friction during intercourse can easily injure a woman's urethra and push bacteria from the area around the urethra or its opening into the bladder. Bacteria living in the vagina can also be moved to the urethral opening during sex. If intercourse is too frequent, it can also weaken the bladder's resistance, significantly increasing the chances of a bacterial infection. Acidic fruit juices can reduce the number of bacteria in the urethra, thereby greatly lowering the incidence of UTIs.
The study also found that some very acidic juices, particularly those made from berries, are very effective in preventing the recurrent UTIs common in women.
In addition, drinking yogurt after intercourse and consuming dairy products containing lactic acid bacteria at least three times a week can also help women avoid UTIs.