Many men have problems with urinating after sexual activity. Having to pee over and over can be a pain—not to mention embarrassing when you’re in public.
It is important to pee after sex because it can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, this doesn’t stop sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia from spreading.
1. The Urinary Sphincter Closes
The urethra is a narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder. Normally, it’s kept closed by the urinary sphincter, which is a group of smooth (involuntary) and striated muscle that lies inside & around the urethral wall. During urination, these muscles relax & open, allowing urine to pass through. The inner lining of the urethra also secretes a thick layer of mucus that acts as an additional seal, like a rubber gasket on a garden hose.
In both men & women, the urethra can be infected by bacteria from the mouth or genital tract, including viruses like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea & Genital Herpes. Urinating after sex helps to flush out any bacteria that might have entered the urethra, which can reduce your risk for UTIs & other sexually transmitted infections.
If you find it difficult to pee after sex, try drinking a full glass of water, listening to running water, or sitting on the toilet seat for a few minutes longer than usual. These tricks can help to stimulate the brain & encourage the bladder to empty.
2. The Urinary Tract Is Full
The bladder is a balloon-like organ that expands as it fills with urine. A thin tube called the urethra then carries the urine out of the body. During sex, the penis rubs against the bladder and urethra, which can cause irritation. This irritated urethra can also make it difficult to pee.
If you have trouble urinating after sex, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Urination issues can be signs of a urinary tract infection, which is a serious condition that needs to be treated immediately.
It’s also a good idea to practice proper hygiene by regularly washing the penis and foreskin. This will help reduce the risk of infections and other problems that can interfere with urination. Difficulty peeing after sex is not always a sign of a serious problem. However, if it persists after you’ve determined the cause of your pain, then it may be time to visit a doctor. In most cases, painful urination after sex will go away as soon as you treat the underlying issue. For example, if you have prostate problems, these will usually be relieved once the problem is managed.
3. The Urinary Canal Is Small
A lot of people assume that peeing after sex helps prevent STIs. It does help mitigate the risk of UTIs, since bacteria in the urethra can be flushed away with urine. But it doesn’t stop STIs in the same way that it stops UTIs. The reason for this is that sperm enters the body through the vaginal canal, and urine exits through the urethra. The urethra opening is much closer to the clitoris than the vaginal canal opening, which is why people with vulvas have a higher chance of getting UTIs than those who have penises.
For this reason, it’s perfectly normal for men to have trouble peeing after sex while their erection is still intact. However, if you find that the problem persists long after your erection has dissipated, it’s best to speak with a doctor about it.
4. The Urinary Canal Is Narrow
Many men have trouble peeing because the urinary canal is narrow. This can be caused by having a small bladder, masturbation, or having had surgery on the penis. It can also be caused by a problem with the prostate gland, which is located just below the urethra.
The prostate gland can get infected and cause a burning sensation when you pee. It can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections, like herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. These infections are spread through sexual contact and can make it hard to pee because they can get into the urethra.
It may seem counterintuitive that ejaculation has anything to do with urinating, but studies have found that it can play an important role. In some cases, ejaculation will cause the valve between the bladder and the urethra to stay open. This can cause the semen to go back inside the body instead of out of it, which is called retrograde ejaculation. The result is painful urination that can be difficult to treat. However, the good news is that most of these problems can be fixed by treating the underlying issue and practicing proper hygiene.
5. The Urinary Canal Is Tight
During sexual arousal, the penis becomes engorged with precum. This lubricates the urethra and makes it easier for semen to be expelled during ejaculation. However, it also prevents urine from exiting the body through the urethra. That’s why it is important for men to pee after sex. The pee flushes the urethra and reduces bacteria buildup that can cause UTIs.
When men urinate, they also remove the bacteria and semen that have collected in their urethra. This can help prevent STIs, especially in those who are prone to them. However, it’s not a foolproof way to prevent STIs because bacterial microbes can still be transmitted through the vagina or anal tract.
Despite the myths about why it’s hard to pee after sex, experts advise that people should always try to pee when they have an urge. This will not only clear the bladder but can help prevent STIs, as well. For those who have a vagina, it’s more beneficial to pee after sex because the path from the urethra to the bladder is shorter than it is for men.
