Dear Sexpert,
Are urinary tract infections sexually transmitted infections?
—Urine Trouble
Dear Urine Trouble,
A urinary tract infection (UTI) isn't classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) even though sex may cause a person to get a UTI. These infections affect both men and women and are caused by bacteria getting into the urinary tract. The bacteria could infect any part of the tract, which consists of the kidneys, ureters (little tubes that run from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder and the urethra (the tube that allows urine to exit the body).
Intercourse can increase the risk of getting a urinary tract infection because bacteria may enter the urethra during sex. A good way to help prevent this is to urinate after sex in order to flush out bacteria. To give yourself a better chance of getting any potential bacterial invaders out, it's also a good idea to drink plenty of water to encourage more frequent urination.
The symptoms of urinary tract infections include but are not limited to: painful urination, frequent urination, lower abdominal pain, fever and nausea. Be safe, and if you think you may have a urinary tract infection, you should contact your doctor.
—The Sexpert
Dear Sexpert,
I have been dating this person for a while whom my friends hate. My significant other tells me my friends are stupid, and that we're better off just spending time with each other. I really like my partner, but I miss my friends. How do I make both my friends and my significant other happy?
—Caught in the Middle
Dear Caught,
This is a really common issue. Unfortunately, some people just don't get along. It's even worse when you like both parties, but they don't like each other. Before we get into how to fix this issue, let's think about why they don't like each other. Do your friends not like your significant other because of the way you're treated? Or is the situation reversed, and your partner doesn't like the way your friends treat you? If either case is true, you might want to rethink whatever relationship is being viewed negatively. Are you being treated well? Are you your best in all of these relationships? These are difficult questions that take careful consideration, and you might need help from a trusted third party to answer them. Perhaps a counselor or an uninvolved friend or relative could be helpful.
On the other hand, if the issue is something petty, such as if your friends don't like the way your partner dresses, then it may be that they just have different interests or priorities. As stated earlier, you may have two sets of people that just don't get along. If this is the case, I would suggest that you hang out with each of them separately. If there's no real issue with either relationship, you can certainly maintain both of them. There's no reason to break up with someone you care about just because your friends don't approve. At the same time, don't lose your friends simply because your significant other doesn't get along with them.
If you really want everyone to get along you can try to make that happen too. Think of things your friends have in common with your partner. Over time, emphasizing their commonalities can be a great way to help them get over their petty differences. Ultimately, they have you in common, and if they all have your best interests in mind, they may be willing to work on their own relationship.
—The Sexpert
"Sexpert" is written by a team of peer sexual health educaters and fact-checked by University health professionals. You can submit questions, to be published anonymously every Thursday, to sexpert@dailyprincetonian.com. Don't be Shy!
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