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Preventing Urinary Tract Infections Through Good Personal Hygiene

The Role of Personal Hygiene in Urinary Tract Infection Prevention

By Tracee Cornforth, About.com

Created: November 18, 2003

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

If you are serious about preventing urinary tract infections or UTI, the first thing you need to do is always practice good personal hygiene. Good personal hygiene includes:

  • Always wiping from front to back after a bowel movement or urinating.

  • Make sure you keep the skin around and between your rectum and vagina clean by washing with soap and water at least once daily.

  • Women who wash both before and after sexual intercourse may lower their risk of developing a urinary tract infection.

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