Are you having urinary tract infection (UTI) outbreaks after sex? I personally use a Tea tree oil wash to prevent UTI and believe that among other things it kept me UTI free for years.
Tea tree oil (TTO) is known for it’s antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities and is made out of leaves and twigs of an Australian tree called Melaleuca alternifolia. There are hundreds of ways Tea tree oil could be used for health reasons, including battling E. coli to prevent UTI.
Benefits of Tea tree oil for UTI prevention
Tea tree oil could be used as a potent antimicrobial in various forms and shapes: suppositories, wash, wipes, sprays.
- Tea tree oil demonstrates broad-spectrum activity against pathogenic microorganisms, more specifically antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotozoal activities.
- Unlike harsh antimicrobial soaps, Tea tree oil does not kill good bacteria while suppressing the growth of pathogenic microorganisms making it an ideal choice for UTI prevention. Your hard-working lactobacilli stay safe and sound, while E. coli “run away for their lives”.
- And the best thing about Tea tree oil? It does not make the E. coli bacteria into a drug-resistant monster.
With that in mind, here are words of caution:
- Tea tree oil might cause allergic reactions.
- Never use undiluted Tea tree oil anywhere on your skin.
- TTO could also be toxic if swallowed, so keep away from children.
- Make sure you are not allergic to TTO. If unsure, use a patch test to determine your sensitivity. You can try a bit of the wash on your wrist to make sure that it is not going to cause any itchiness or irritation. To test, apply some on your inner wrist and leave for 24 hours.
Tea tree oil intimate wash recipe
We already discussed that there are plenty of E. coli bacteria living inside of you. It doesn’t take much for pathogenic bacteria to travel up to your vagina, and hang out there ” until the moment is right”.
Next thing you know, during sex some of the sneaky E. coli will get into your urethra (aka “pee-hole”). Tea tree oil could help prevent UTIs by washing away whatever bacteria it encounters.
Personally, I make a “super strong” Tea tree oil intimate wash. For many, it might feel too strong, so perhaps you can use a lesser amount of Tea tree oil.
Also, I’m not a chemist or a doctor, so take it with a grain of salt and it’s always better to consult with a licensed OBGYN, of course.
This is how I make it. I take:
- A plastic bottle to use as a dispenser
- Tea Tree Essential Oil – You can buy it at Trader Joe’s or Amazon.
- Two tablespoons of liquid shower gel
I mix together two tablespoons of liquid shower gel, one teaspoon of Tea tree oil and a full cup of water and pour it all into the bottle. I shake it and mix it well before each use.
I use the mixture as a genital wash after sex and make sure to rinse it well (I do not use it for douching, which I never do, to begin with). The slight tingling sensation for me is normal, but burning and irritation that doesn’t go away is not, and might indicate an allergic reaction.
These statements have not been evaluated by FDA. As you might know, cosmetic products are not intended to be used for disease treatment or prevention.
The resulting mixture will have a very strong concentration of Tea tree oil. It is important that you make sure that you are not allergic to it first.
If you decide to prepare this mixture for yourself, please make sure you are not allergic to Tea tree oil first.
How else have you been using Tea tree oil to prevent UTI? Let me know in the comments below!
