7 Best Sex Positions to Avoid Cystitis (Sashay the Infection Away!)

Disclaimer: Our guide on the best sex positions to avoid cystitis has been thoroughly researched to provide you with appropriate options. However, it’s important to note that this article is not a replacement for professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional with any specific health concerns or questions.

If you’ve experienced a urinary tract infection, you’ve likely experienced cystitis. This common condition among women often presents symptoms such as painful urination, post-urination tingling in the urethral opening, intense urges to urinate, and pelvic discomfort. These challenges can disrupt daily routines, prompting many women to seek ways to prevent its recurrence or occurrence altogether— one of those steps is to only go with sex positions that avoid cystitis.

You see, sex is one of the main triggers of cystitis. Since there’s a lot of action in your vulva during sex, it’s easy for bacteria to get transferred from your anal opening to your urethral opening. That said, we’ll be sharing some of the best sex positions to avoid cystitis, as well as tips to further protect yourself from this condition.

What is Cystitis?

The term cystitis refers to the inflammation occurring in the bladder. It can arise from a multitude of causes, such as bacteria entering the urethra during sexual activity, certain medications, radiation therapy in the pelvic region, or the use of feminine hygiene products containing specific irritating chemicals. It also comes with the following symptoms:

• Pain or a burning sensation when urinating
• Frequent and intense urge to pee
• Struggling to urinate, only small amounts of urine are passing through
• Cloudy urine with a strong odor
• Pelvic pain
• Mild pressure in the lower abdomen
• Low-grade fever

Best Sex Positions to Avoid Cystitis

After learning the basics, it’s time to move on to the main list! Whether you’ve recently bounced back from cystitis or never experienced it before and want to fully avoid it, these positions are sure to please.

1Spooning

When it comes to the best sex positions to avoid cystitis, spooning proves to be one of the most favorable positions. Your partner’s penis doesn’t come in contact with your urethral opening, plus there’s minimized pressure on your pelvis since you’re both lying on the side. It’s also perfect for couples who love to get cuddly during the deed, as you’ll get to hug and caress each other with this one.

How to do it: Both the giver and receiver lie on their sides, close to each other, facing the same direction. The giver acts as the “big spoon” or hugger, while the receiver becomes the “little spoon” or the one being hugged. Once they’re done with the initial position, the receiver must raise the leg that’s not resting on the bed, giving space for the giver to push their penis in the receiver’s vagina. The giver can then start thrusting.

2Doggy Style Spooning

This sex position is quite similar to the previous one, but it allows the giver to achieve even deeper penetration.

How to do it: The giver and receiver must get into the standard spooning position (see the instructions on the previous position for further details). The receiver would then lean forward and curl their legs up, positioning their feet between the giver’s legs. The giver would then hold the receiver’s waist, then gently push their penis to the receiver’s vagina. They can then proceed with the deed.

3Cowgirl

This sex position works well for women who have just recovered from cystitis, as it doesn’t put much pressure on the urethra. It also allows women to be in charge of penetration and ensure that the penis doesn’t get as much contact in their urethral opening.

How to do it: The giver would lie on their back while the receiver straddles on top of them. The receiver then guides the penis into the vagina, holding it until the penis is positioned at the vaginal opening. Once in place, the receiver removes their hand and can gently push their vagina onto the erect penis. They can then either grind or move up and down, depending on their preferences.

4Reverse Cowgirl

This variation of cowgirl gives your partner a booty-ful view of your bum and may even provide added pleasure on your end; some testimonials suggest that reverse cowgirl can slightly target the G-spot better than regular cowgirl.

How to do it: The giver will lie on their back while the receiver will straddle on top of them, but this time, the giver is facing away. The giver then gently guides their penis into the receiver’s vaginal opening. Once positioned, the receiver will remove their hand from the penis and continue to push their vagina onto it, moving back and forth until reaching climax or ready to explore other positions.

5Betty Rocker

Like reverse cowgirl, this position involves the woman being on top and facing away from their partner. However, rather than moving up and down, it emphasizes a grinding motion, with the woman moving her hips back and forth.

How to do it: The giver would lie down at their back while the receiver straddles on top, facing away. While the receiver’s upper body is still upright, they will guide the giver’s penis or strap-on into their vagina. Once the penis is inserted, the receiver can then lean forward and rest part of their weight on the giver’s legs; they can also use their own arms for extra support. After that, the receiver’s hips must move back and forth into the penis or strap-on.

6Sensual Pretzel

Here’s another position similar to the reverse cowgirl, but the giver is sitting down this time. This position works well if you’re planning to have sex in small spaces, like in the car or couch. Like with the other sex positions that avoid cystitis, this one lets the woman take the reins and minimizes pressure on the urethra.

How to do it: The giver must kneel with their legs close together. The receiver would then sit right on the giver’s lap, also kneeling, but their legs have a significant distance between them. The giver would then hold their own penis or strap-on, then gently push it right on the receiver’s vagina. Once it’s partially inserted, the receiver would fully push their vagina into their partner’s genitals and move up and down. There’s a lot of skinship involved in this position, so make sure to use that to tease each other’s pleasure zones, such as the nipples, inner thighs, and clitoris.

7Live Show

This one takes an unconventional approach to sex, as this position involves masturbating in front of one another. This position is the least risky among all the sex positions to avoid cystitis since there’s no penetration involved. You can also assure that your fingers or sex toy won’t be directly touching your urethral opening. However, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea; if you’re one of them, that’s fine.

How to do it: The couple can either sit facing each other or lie on their sides, ensuring they face one another. From there, they can begin pleasuring themselves or incorporating sex toys into the experience. To enhance intimacy, consider kissing your partner passionately or gently caressing their body at intervals throughout the session.

Additional Tips

Aside from prioritizing the best sex positions to avoid cystitis, it’s also important to follow other prevention tips, including the following:

1Pee after sex.

Never forget this golden rule. Emptying your bladder after sex can help flush out any bacteria that may have entered the urinary tract during sex, reducing your risk of developing cystitis. Don’t worry about “ruining the mood” by going to the bathroom after the deed— you can always cuddle with your partner after your quick trip to the loo.

2Try shortening your penetration sessions.

The longer the duration of penetration is, the higher risk of your partner’s penis transferring bacteria to your urethral opening. That’s why you should consider shortening the duration of your penetration sessions to reduce the likelihood of cystitis. You can prolong the foreplay, use sex toys, and explore other non-penetrative sexual activities before diving into penetration.

3Always follow hygiene practices.

Maintaining good hygiene is crucial for keeping cystitis at bay. Before and after sex, it’s important to wash the genital area with mild soap and water to eliminate any bacteria. Additionally, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands before engaging in sexual activity, and whenever you’re wiping your vulva, do it from front to back so that bacteria from your anus won’t spread to the other parts of your vulva.

Using condoms is also highly recommended, especially if you plan to engage in both anal and vaginal penetration, as this can help prevent the spread of bacteria. On the other hand, it’s best to avoid sharing sex toys to minimize the risk of transmitting infections between partners.

4Avoid pleasure products that contain spermicide.

Some pleasure products, such as condoms or lubricants, contain spermicide, a chemical agent designed to kill sperm. However, spermicide can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and increase the risk of urinary tract infections like cystitis. In that case, opt for products that don’t have spermicide.

If you are worried about unplanned pregnancies, you can always explore other birth control options such as birth control implants, IUDs, birth control patches, injectables, and others.

5Use lube!

Lubricants can help minimize friction during penetrative sex, which can then reduce any chances of irritation in your genital area. Yes, the vagina can self-lubricate, but there are instances that it’s not enough to ensure a smooth glide— this is where lube comes in, as they’re formulated to feel like natural lubrication.

Now, when it comes to getting your own lube, go with water-based ones; they’re compatible with condoms and sex toys, plus they’re easy to wash off.

6Consider shower sex.

Another great way to ensure cystitis ain’t coming is having sex while you’re in the shower. Once the sex is done, you can quickly wash it off or go to the toilet to pee it all off. There’s also something hot about doing the deed in areas aside from your bedroom, adding that much-needed spice to your sexual routine.

However, it’s essential to exercise caution to prevent slipping and ensure safety during shower sex. Using a non-slip bath mat and maintaining stable footing can help minimize the risk of accidents. Please also note that water-based lube doesn’t work well during shower sex since it washes off quickly; opt for silicone-based lubricants instead. Lastly, don’t use water as lubrication as it doesn’t have the same consistency as vaginal lubrication; in fact, it can even cause more friction.

7Avoid foods that could trigger cystitis.

When you have cystitis, it’s crucial to avoid foods and drinks that can make your symptoms worse, like caffeinated beverages, fizzy drinks, vitamin C-rich foods, and alcohol. We get it—skipping your morning cup of joe might not be ideal, but it’s worth it to avoid the discomfort of cystitis. By making these dietary adjustments, you can help alleviate symptoms and promote faster recovery.

8Consult your doctor if symptoms are getting severe.

Mild cases of cystitis often clear up by themselves after a few days; you’ll need to drink more water, take pain relievers, avoid sex, and get adequate rest. However, if you see blood in your urine and get a high-grade fever, you must see a doctor immediately. In most cases, you will be prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection. This step is crucial as the infection might spread into your kidneys, resulting in more serious health problems.

Takeaway

Navigating sex while trying to avoid cystitis can indeed feel like a bit of a downer—fewer sex positions to explore and more precautions to consider. However, prioritizing your health is always key.

Opting for sex positions that can avoid cystitis and taking extra safety measures doesn’t mean the fun has to stop; in fact, it can even enhance the experience. By focusing on mutual pleasure and intimacy while taking care to minimize the risk of infection, you can still enjoy fulfilling sexcapades while safeguarding your health.