A urinary tract infection is rarely life threatening, but it still can cause a lot of discomfort. When you have one of these infections, you may experience an intense urge to urinate, cloudy urine, pelvic pain and strong smelling urine. Making some simple lifestyle changes, however, can reduce your chances of contracting this infection. Here are five helpful tips for preventing urinary tract infections:

Stay Hydrated

If you do not already drink eight cups of water a day, it is definitely time to start. Staying hydrated with water will help dilute your urine, getting rid of bacteria. Drinking plain water all the time can get boring, so try squeezing some lemon or lime juice in it to give it more flavor.

Do not Wait to Go to the Bathroom

Never resist the urge to urinate. When you hold it in for too long, you can irritate your bladder, making it more susceptible to getting infected with bacteria. Even if you are in an important working meeting, you should always excuse yourself if you have to use the bathroom.

Be Careful With Sexual Intercourse

Women are especially prone to developing a urinary tract infection after sexual intercourse. According to Everyday Health, a woman's urethra can get infected with bacteria from the anus and genital area during sex. To prevent these infections, make sure to urinate and thoroughly clean your genital area after sex.

Limit Baths

Taking a warm bath can be quite comforting on a cold evening, but it can increase your risk of a urinary tract infection. When you sit in bath water, bacteria can get into your urethra a lot easier. It is better to take showers on most days.

Prevent Lower Back Pain

Because lower back pain can sometimes affect the nerves in your bladder and contribute to infections, you should try your best to prevent it. For example, if you have to lift a heavy item, remember to bend your knees and keep the object close to your body. It is also important to practice good posture and be careful when lifting weights. If you do not have a lot of experience with lifting, you should have a personal trainer show you the proper form.

A urinary tract infection does not have to be in your future. If you follow these helpful tips, you will be a lot less likely to develop one of these annoying infections. For more information, talk to a urologist like Dr. Matthew Bui.