Wipe from front to back. If you wipe from front to back, especially after a bowel movement, they're less likely to make it to the urethra.
Wipe front to back. Always wipe from the front to the back after using the bathroom. Do not try to reach from behind because germs from the rectum can be transferred to the hand and tissue. After bowel movements, clean the area around the anus gently, wiping from front to back.
Wiping back to front is associated with a greater risk of developing urinary tract infection than wiping front to back. Urinary tract infections (UTI) are very common in pregnancy (1) and Escherichia coli is the commonest pathogen isolated from pregnant women (1).
So, what's the real danger if you don't follow the wiping rules? Wiping incorrectly can cause a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), which is an infection of the kidneys, bladder, ureters or urethra. A UTI typically occurs when bacteria that live inside the bowel find their way into the urinary tract through the urethra.
UTIs typically develop when bacteria get into the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. That can happen as a result of not wiping properly after a child goes to the bathroom. Holding urine for prolonged periods or constipation can also increase the risk of UTIs.
Girls can have vaginal infections for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with sexual contact — such as stress, for example. Even if you're not having intercourse, fingering and oral sex can lead to infection. Ask your boyfriend to wash his hands before touching your genitals.
Post micturition incontinence (commonly known as after-dribble) can occur when the muscles that surround the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis) do not contract properly. This stops the bladder from fully emptying.
The best position is to sit on the toilet edge, legs separated but supported and leaning forward slightly, which helps open and relax the pelvic floor. This posture helps ensure the proper emptying of the bladder and reduce the chances of UTIs. Take showers and avoid prolonged baths.
DON'T skip doses or stop taking antibiotics before they're gone. DON'T have sex until fever and symptoms stop. DON'T hold your urine for long periods. DON'T drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol.
With some forms of UTI, blood may be seen after urinating and wiping. This may be just some pink staining when wiping after urination or you may see a toilet bowl that looks like it's full of blood.
Bacteria grow more quickly in warm and hot water. Our doctors may recommend avoiding hot tubs and taking showers instead of baths. The soap in bubble baths can irritate the urinary tract and should be avoided.
Doctors usually recommend avoiding sex until the infection has cleared up completely. This is because having sex may irritate the urinary tract and can push bacteria into the urethra, worsening the infection.
If you think you have a UTI, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your OBGYN or primary care physician. Many women will try to self-treat it, or worse, just hope it goes away on its own.
Anatomy and/or genetics
Women are more prone to UTIs mostly because of their anatomy. A woman's urethra is shorter than a man's. Plus it is located near the openings of the vagina and anus, meaning there's more opportunity for bacteria from both those areas to spread—or be wiped—into the urethra.
Do not use baby wipes, personal wipes, douches, sprays, perfumes, or other feminine hygiene products. These can cause pain or itching. Do not douche. It is not helpful or necessary and sometimes can lead to vaginal infections.
Just one or two wipes are enough to clean. If you tend to over wipe the vagina, it irritates the skin. Sometimes, it may even result in either inflammation or infection. And you should only use unscented wipes to clean the vagina after urinating.
The most important thing to remember about wiping after a bowel movement is to do so from front to back. This helps you to avoid urinary tract infections. Avoid scrubbing the sensitive area around your anus, too, because it can spread bacteria into the tiny tears in the skin.
But for good hygiene, you should use both together. For this, first, wash your vagina with clean water after urinating. After this, wipe it with tissue paper with light hands, so that the vagina will not remain wet and the risk of infection will be reduced to a great extent.
A urinary tract infection (UTI)
Besides frequent urination, signs of a UTI include fever, a burning feeling when you pee, discolored urine and constantly feeling like you need to pee (even after peeing). You may also feel bladder pressure or discomfort in your back or around your pelvis.
Practice "double voiding" by urinating as much as possible, relaxing for a few moments, and then urinating again. Try to relax before you urinate. Tension from worrying about your symptoms can make them worse.