Some women experience pain or burning when urinating after intercourse. These symptoms together with the constant desire to pee can be caused by what is known as 'Honeymoon Syndrome' or 'Love Cystitis' But… What exactly is this disease about? How to prevent? We tell you everything!

What is honeymoon syndrome?

Honeymoon syndrome, also known as postcoital cystitis, is the name given to a urine infection that appears within the first 24 to 48 hours after having multiple intercourses (not necessarily during the honeymoon, clear). At first, it may seem that postcoital cystitis is a sexually transmitted disease, but it is not. Nor is it true that this type of infection is associated with poor personal hygiene of the couple, although it is true that the sexual act favors its appearance. Cystitis that appears after sex is the same as any other form of cystitis of bacterial origin. Cystitis arises precisely when a bacterium invades the urinary tract. In more than 80% of cases of urinary tract infection, whether caused by sexual intercourse or not, the bacterium responsible is Escherichia coli (E. coli). This bacterium usually lives in our intestine. In the intestinal tract, except in exceptional situations, E.coli lives in perfect harmony with our body, however, outside of it, E.coli can become very aggressive. A urine infection occurs when E.coli, which should remain in the intestine, begins to colonize the area around the vagina. This colonization of the vaginal region is the first step for cystitis to develop, since once intestinal bacteria establish themselves around the vagina, they have a much easier time penetrating the urethra and reaching the bladder. Women are much more prone to UTIs than men since the entrance of the urethra in women is much closer to the anus than in men. In addition, the woman's urethra is shorter, which means that the path of E.coli to the bladder is less.

Causes of postcoital cystitis

  1. As we have already mentioned, the bacteria that cause cystitis already exist in our own body and become pathogenic when they change their habitat. Therefore, contrary to what many people believe, the honeymoon syndrome does not appear because the man transports the bacteria from the penis to the woman's vagina, but because sexual intercourse favors the entry of bacteria from the vagina itself. Woman in her urethra. In addition, it is important to remember that postcoital cystitis is not a problem exclusive to heterosexual couples, it also occurs after sexual intercourse between two women and even between two men.
  2. Although the mechanisms by which sex favors the appearance of cystitis are not specifically known, it is very likely that the friction caused during intercourse helps to push in the bacteria that are already present around the urethral outlet. Therefore, the more intense the sexual activity and the more frequently it is practiced, the greater the risk of contracting cystitis.
  3. Using a diaphragm or condoms that contain spermicides also increases the risk of urinary tract infection after sex. This is so because the substances used in spermicides alter the bacterial flora of the vagina, killing "good" bacteria and facilitating the colonization of bacteria that come from the intestine.
  4. Another factor that increases the risk of cystitis after sex is the practice of anal sex combined with vaginal sex. When there is anal penetration and then vaginal penetration, there is a huge migration of bacteria from the intestine to the vagina, which obviously favors the appearance of infection.
  5. Anal sex, whether heterosexual or homosexual, is also a risk factor for postcoital infection. In the case of men, by penetrating the region of the rectum, the sexually active male is bringing his urethra directly into the encounter with a huge amount of intestinal bacteria.

How to prevent cystitis after sex

  • With all of the above, we are not meaning to stop having sex for fear of contracting cystitis. Sex is good in all its forms and versions and urine infection can be prevented with some recommendations like these:
  • Urinate immediately after each sexual relationship: When you pee after intercourse, you wash the urethra and push out any bacteria that may be present there. In addition, the acidic pH of the urine also helps reduce the activity of these bacteria.
  • Drink a lot of water: Some doctors suggest that drinking a lot of water after skin sex will help reduce the risk of contracting honeymoon syndrome as this would cause an increase in the volume of urine and the frequency of urination.
  • Wash the genital region with water and neutral soap before sex: This favors the elimination of bacteria, but be careful, excessive washing of the genitals can have the opposite effect since the vaginal flora can be altered, thus facilitating colonization by bacteria pathogenic the secret of vaginal hygiene is moderation, neither too much nor too little.
  • Use lubricants: Women with vaginal lubrication problems have a higher risk of urinary infection after sex. The less lubricated the woman is at the moment of penetration, the greater the friction during intercourse. After menopause, the use of estrogen vaginal gel helps to improve the loss of lubrication that is natural with age.
  • Avoid vaginal penetration after anal sex or use different condoms if you do.