You may have heard that peeing after sex can prevent urinary tract infections, as it can help flush out harmful bacteria that may have entered the vaginal canal before, during, or after sexual intercourse.
But many women have wondered another important question regarding peeing after sex: Does peeing after sex prevent pregnancy?
In this article, we’ll be discussing what peeing after sex achieves, whether it can help prevent pregnancy, or if it only helps prevent urinary tract infections.
By the end of this article, you’ll know everything there is to know about why peeing after sex is important and why waiting to pee after sex for couples who are trying to get pregnant can be helpful.
Does peeing after sex prevent pregnancy?
It stands to reason, in the minds of many, that gravity should be reliable.
Sperm deposited in the vaginal canal has less chance of fertilizing an egg if peeing after sex is immediate, as gravity would pull it all back out and essentially flush it out.
That’s not the case here.
Unprotected sex can result in pregnancy, whether peeing after sex occurs or not.
The female anatomy
Interestingly enough, we tend not to know our bodies all that well. Women’s health is not widespread and available enough to inform all women about what systems are at work and what is connected to what when it comes to reproductive health and urinary health.
Although we are in our bodies for our entire lives, very few women really look at what is between their legs and differentiate between the urethra and the vagina.
In fact, many females understand so little about the female anatomy that they assume urine comes from the vagina.
Not knowing about these things does not make you stupid. It simply means you must better understand the female reproductive system, your urinary tract, and how both work.
The following is a crash course in anatomy that may help you to understand what comes from where.
The female urethra and urinary tract
Peeing after sex doesn’t do much to prevent pregnancy because your urinary tract is connected to your bladder and urethra and urethral opening.
While the place your urine comes from is very close to where the penis is inserted during sex, they are two different systems that don’t have much to do with each other, although they are in close proximity to each other.
Peeing after sex can help to flush bacteria that have collected or been exposed to your urethra during sex out of your system.
This won’t do much to help you prevent pregnancy. Still, it does help to prevent a urinary tract infection and, in some cases, even the chances of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.
The female reproductive system
The vaginal opening, or vagina, is the insertion point for the penis during heterosexual sexual intercourse.
The fallopian tubes, during ovulation, release an egg that waits for sperm to fertilize it. The egg then implants itself into the uterus, resulting in pregnancy.
Sometimes, the egg can end up fertilized inside the fallopian tube, and when this occurs, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. It is not a viable pregnancy and must be medically terminated to prevent illness and maternal death.
No urine comes from the vaginal canal, fallopian tubes, or any other part of the reproductive system. Therefore, peeing after sex does not effectively kill sperm. It is not considered an effective birth control method and will not prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections can occur in any part of the urinary system but are most often seen in the urethra and bladder. If left untreated, it can spread to your kidneys and cause major illness and even organ failure.
UTIs, as commonly referred to, are far more common in women than in men, and they most often occur due to a buildup of harmful bacteria on, near, or in the urethra.
Symptoms of a UTI
Depending upon what part of your urinary system houses the infection, you will see a variety of symptoms that often let women know that something is amiss.
Peeing after sex can help to flush the bacteria out and away from the urethra, but they aren’t entirely fail-safe.
The following are common symptoms of a UTI:
- Pain in the lower back or side
- Frequent urination
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Having an urge to urinate but not being able to produce more than a few drops
- Blood in the urine
- Bloating and cramping
- Lower abdominal pain
- Discharge
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Chills
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it may be a good idea to see your doctor or healthcare provider to be diagnosed and treated.
Peeing after sex has UTI prevention benefits, but these infections can still occur.
The best ways to prevent pregnancy
If you have unprotected sex and have no known fertility issues, you can get pregnant. It’s really that simple.
While there are only a few days a month in which you can get pregnant, sperm can live inside the vaginal canal or vagina for several days, potentially resulting in pregnancy.
The only surefire way to completely avoid pregnancy is by not having sex.
However, if you are sexually active and want to remain that way, the following are some options for birth control that can help you to prevent pregnancy effectively:
1. Birth control pills
Birth control pills, IUDs, and hormonal birth control shots are all fairly effective methods for preventing pregnancy.
However, if you take contraceptive pills, it’s vital that you take them responsibly, never miss a pill, take it at the same time every single day, and be careful of taking medications alongside your drugs, as it can render your birth control less effective.
2. Barrier method
Barrier contraceptives are devices like condoms and diaphragms that physically prevent sperm from being deposited and left in the vagina during vaginal intercourse.
You can purchase condoms at most gas stations and stores, from your doctor, or from a clinic such as Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood also offers screening services for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Be sure when using a condom that your partner has properly worn it and that the condom fits correctly. Also, be sure that you check afterward for any damage or breakage to the condom.
How long should you wait to pee after sex when trying to conceive?
The short answer here is that it doesn’t matter. There’s no harm in getting up immediately to pee after sex if you are trying to conceive.
Peeing will not hurt your fertility or make your body less able to become pregnant. If your male partner has crossed the finish line and has ejaculated inside your vagina, and you need to pee, you will not risk or affect your chances of getting pregnant.
Misinformation abounds
If you are trying to get pregnant, chances are that, at some point, you’re going to be given information and advice. While most people mean well, much of what you will be told is probably old information and is now considered a bad idea.
Years ago, women were told to do all sorts of things when trying to get pregnant. From sticking their legs in the air to elevating their hips and staying in a position for a long time after sex, all sorts of things have been suggested, and most are invalid.
Peeing after sex will not put you at risk of losing a pregnancy if you are trying to conceive. It won’t affect your fertility at all. It will help your bladder to stay healthy if you do go pee.
What happens if you don’t pee after intercourse
Developing UTIs, infections such as Hepatitis B, bacterial vaginosis, and other issues can occur if you don’t get into the habit of peeing after sex.
Frequent UTIs can lead to more severe issues that you may end up dealing with long-term and preventing UTIs becomes more and more difficult.
It’s best to take a few extra minutes after sex to go to the bathroom and try to pee.
Ways to prevent UTIs
While peeing after sex does nothing when it comes to preventing pregnancy, it does help in preventing infections.
If you are already in the habit of peeing after sex, then the following are more steps that you can take to prevent these terrible and painful infections from occurring:
- Wear cotton underwear (Wearing cotton underwear is healthier than silk, polyester, or other synthetic materials)
- Shower soon after sex to kill bacteria that may be lingering
- Be sure that there are no infections or tiny tears in your partner’s skin if you can to protect yourself from infections better
- Don’t use scented pads or tampons during your period
- Don’t use heavily scented body wash or bubble bath frequently
- Wipe properly after peeing, from front to back.
A Final Note
Peeing after sex does not prevent pregnancy but can help prevent infection. The only fail-proof way to prevent pregnancy is to abstain from sex, but many birth control options are available if you choose not to.
If you are trying to conceive, waiting to pee will not increase your chances of getting pregnant, despite what you may have heard or been told by older generations who may have been told differently before science and medicine knew better.