Use of Sexually Explicit Materials as Sex Education Tools to Reduce the Number of Recurrences of Urinary Tract Infection in Sexually Active Women

Abstract

Context: As sexual intercourse is a known risk factor for recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in women, we decided to evaluate a novel method of sex education using sexually explicit materials (SEM) to reduce the number of recurrences of UTI in sexually active women, when the other preventive measures fail to reduce the number of recurrences of UTI in these women. Methods: After obtaining written informed consent and ethical committee approval, sexually active women with a single sexual partner, who presented for recurrent symptomatic UTI following sexual intercourse, were included in this study. The absence of recurrence for 6 months, successful postcoital drug prophylaxis, the presence of comorbidities, anatomical abnormalities of the genitourinary tract (GUT), history of instrumentation of GUT, and use of contraception were exclusion criteria. Their demographic profile, socioeconomic status, imaging studies, pre- and post-intervention urine culture profile and pre- and post-intervention sexual practices were recorded. During every visit, all these women along with their male partners were given sex education sessions about healthy sexual practices using SEM. Data is analyzed. Results: Study period was January 2012 to June 2018. A total of 107 women with the mean age of 30.11 years were included in the study. A total of 82% of UTI were due to Escherichia coli, whereas the other cases were attributable to Klebsiella, Proteus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Their preintervention yearly incidence of documented UTI was 4.04 episodes which reduced to 1.91 episodes post intervention. Conclusions: Sex education with SEM can be an option to treat recurrent UTI in sexually active women.