Wife and I are seniors (70+) and monogamous all our lives. Recently, she had a urine test and unexpectedly a UTI showed up.
Recently, we used a KY warming lube on all areas of her clitoris and vulva but not on her perineum and anal area. Could the lube have entered her urethra somehow? Might that be the cause of her urinary tract infection? P.S. My wife has never had a UTI in all our years together because she has always wiped from front to back so anal bacteria don’t move into her urethra.
A doctor told me that I experienced pain/sensitivity in my left scrotum because of UTI. How does a man get infected? Wedging of pajamas in sleep? Or of pants in a seated position? Or sitting cross-legged in a chair?
In addition, my wife is now complaining about yeast infection. As a male, I don’t understand yeast infection. How is it acquired? Do any visible symptoms show in the area? Can a man acquire the infection from an infected woman?
A doctor told me that I experienced pain/sensitivity in my left scrotum because of UTI. How does a man get infected? Wedging of pajamas in sleep? Or of pants in a seated position? Or sitting cross-legged in a chair?
We appreciate the help you provide by answering embarrassing questions and providing guidance on sex.
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I’m a journalist and sex counselor, not a doctor who specializes in sexually transmitted infections. But I know a bit about them, and here’s what I think.
About her UTI: Sexual lubricants don’t cause urinary tract infection. Bacteria do. So either the lube got contaminated with anal area bacteria, or you slipped up on your mutual commitment to good sexual hygiene.
There’s also something else to consider, your age. With age, the immune system loses some of its punch. Suppose a few stray bacteria somehow wormed their way into her urethra. In years past, her immune system would have destroyed them. But now, maybe not.
Fortunately, UTI is very treatable and rarely causes significant medical issues.
About your UTI: Just like women, men can get UTIs. But men’s risk is much lower for two reasons. Men’s urethral opening at the tip of the penis is much farther from the anus than women’s, so bacteria are less likely to get in there. And the male urethra is longer, so bacteria are less likely to be able to travel its length all the way into the bladder. While men are at low risk of UTI, some men who sit for long periods, e.g. truck drivers, are at greater-then-average risk. But I can’t say how you got infected.
About yeast infection: Yeast fungi are one of the many micro-organisms that normally inhabit the vagina. If something alters the micro-flora balance there, yeast can over-grow and cause infection. The main symptom is persistent itching and often a reddening of the area. What alters the micro-flora balance? Quite often, antibiotics or poorly controlled diabetes. Yeast is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, but sexual spread is possible from cunnilingus. I suggest you consult a physician. You may need to be treated.
If you feel you need more information, for free expert opinions, call CDC Info: 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern), or the American Social Health Association’s STD Hotline: (919) 361-8488, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern).
Thank you very much for taking time and providing full response to the “Lube and UTI” multi-part questions. The reasons you gave for contracting UTI by male and female and yeast infection by female are very useful to avoid the problems. You also said that sexual Lube by itself is not a source of UTI unless it is contaminated with anal area bacteria. Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies (Page 27) also mentions this as source of Bladder Infections, also known as Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). It also states, “With the beginning of sexual activity, women have a marked increase in the number of infections.” This means many a sexually active women that do not report UTI could be utilizing lube products they find suitable while avoiding unsuitable or avoiding all together. I happened to come across two such cases surfing just recently. Please go to this link: http://sliquid.com/reviews/sliquid-customer-testimonials/ This can mean some women suffer UTI from many Lube products and not from few other. This is contrary to what is believed that lube alone cannot cause UTI. We may try the reported product but do not endorse or promote it.
Thanks for correcting me. Live and learn….