# How to lower your risk of UTIs

_You can lower your risk of UTIs by taking these steps: drink enough water through the day, urinate after sex and wipe from front to back. Not every..._

Canonical: https://guides.mywellnesshealth.co.ke/health/utis/prevention

Author: My Wellness Health, Editorial team · Reviewed by: the My Wellness Health clinical team on 7 Oct 2026

Last updated: 7 Oct 2026 · Published by My Wellness Health — Preventive Healthcare & Care Navigation

> You can lower your risk of UTIs by taking these steps: drink enough water through the day, urinate after sex and wipe from front to back. Not every case can be prevented, which is why regular checks matter.

**Daily habit that helps prevent UTIs:** Enough water
_And urinating after sex. NHS._

**Urinary tract infections: at a glance**

| Who should get checked | How it is checked | How we help | Fee |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Anyone with UTI symptoms: a urine test (dipstick or culture) | Urine dipstick or urine culture | Confidential sexual and urinary health check | Confidential sexual and urinary health check, KES 500 |

## How to lower your risk of UTIs: your questions answered

**Q: How can I lower my risk of UTIs?**

A: Drink enough water through the day. Urinate after sex. Wipe from front to back. Do not hold urine for long. Finish antibiotics exactly as prescribed.

**Q: Can UTIs be prevented completely?**

A: Not always. Some risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be changed, so finding problems early through checks matters as much as healthy habits.

**Q: Which risk factors can't I change?**

A: Being a woman: the urethra is shorter.

**Q: What signs should I watch for?**

A: Signs worth checking include pain or burning when urinating; needing to urinate often or suddenly; cloudy, bloody or strong-smelling urine; and pain low in the stomach.

**Q: How can My Wellness Health help?**

A: Knowing your own risk factors is the first step. The confidential sexual and urinary health check tells a likely UTI from a possible STI or kidney infection, so you get the right test: a urine dipstick or culture, an STI test, or same-day review. It costs KES 500. A care navigator calls you back within 2 hours (Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm) to book what you need at a facility that suits your budget and location.

This page is health information to help you understand risks and next steps. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a consultation with a qualified clinician. My Wellness Health is not a diagnostic service: we help you understand your risk and connect you with the right screening and care. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital or call 999 or 112. If you are thinking of harming yourself, call Befrienders Kenya on +254 722 178 177 or the Kenya Red Cross toll-free line 1199.

## Sources

- [My Wellness Health](https://www.mywellnesshealth.co.ke/)
- [World Health Organization, Sexually transmitted infections fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis))
- [NHS, Urinary tract infections](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/)

## More on this condition

- [UTIs: signs, risks and checks in Kenya | My Wellness Health](https://guides.mywellnesshealth.co.ke/health/utis)
- [Testing for UTIs in Kenya: when and how | My Wellness Health](https://guides.mywellnesshealth.co.ke/health/utis/screening)