A healthy sex life isn't just about what goes on during intercourse, it's all about what happens before and even after sex.
After a round of calorie-burning, heavy-breathing, fulfilling orgasm-having sex, your first reaction may be to just lay there and bask in the "glow", but here's three reasons why you should get up and urinate after sex.
1.) Bladder Spasms
Bladder spasms are contractions of the bladder. They may be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) or irritation from a catheter.
They may also occur in any disease that affects the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). People who have had surgery in this area of the body might also have bladder spasms.
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While some people have frequent bladder spasms — possibly as a result of a chronic health issue like interstitial cystitis — many of us will experience a one-off bladder spasm from time to time after having sexual intercourse.
And women who are penetrated vaginally aren't the only people to report this feeling — some men have reported a similar "need to pee" sensation following ejaculation.
Feeling a bladder spasm after sex doesn't mean that you're incontinent, or going to pee on yourself, either — this contraction of bladder muscles simply creates the feeling that you must urinate immediately, but it doesn't actually force you to go (your bladder could even be mostly empty when you feel this sensation).
READ: The #1 Thing You Should Do Before Having Sex
Emptying a full bladder prior to intercourse may be helpful in preventing a bladder spasm after sex. If you find yourself regularly experiencing this phenomenon.
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2.) Uterine Contractions
You know how when you have an orgasm, it can feel like every muscle in your body is contracting?
Many muscles do contract when you orgasm — and that can include your uterus.
Uterine contractions are typical during orgasm, and the bladder sits anatomically in close proximity, which means that those uterine contractions can jostle your bladder around.
Throw in the extra blood flow and engorgement present in the uterine/bladder area following an orgasm, and you have a situation where your bladder is very sensitive — and any pressure on it can feel intense.
3.) Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs are the most common culprit of this sense of post-coital bladder fullness — so you shouldn't stop being vigilant about them, especially if you know that you're prone to them.
Seventy-five percent of UTIs are related to sexual intercourse, so it pays to be aware of your post-coital bladder tingles, even if they turn out to be nothing.
Intercourse can irritate your bladder (which is located on top of your uterus) and cause infection.
Pee after sex to get rid of bacteria that may accumulate in your urethra.
Regularly urinating after intercourse is a great preventative measure against UTIs.
If you feel a phantom bladder fullness on the regular, but never seem to have a UTI, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure it's not something else going on.
