QUESTION
Whenever my boyfriend and I have unprotected sex, I develop a bladder infection and need to go on antibiotics. My doctor has suggested that this is because my boyfriend is not circumcised. Now he is considering getting circumcised, but I find it hard to believe that if he keeps his penis clean, that an infection could be passed on to me this regularly. What do you think?

ANSWER
Many women get urinary tract infections from any physical manipulation -- penile intercourse, oral intercourse, digital intercourse, sex toy use, masturbation, etc. To prevent this, some women drink lots of fluids before sex, and empty their bladders both before and after sexual activity (the acidity of the urine can help to kill some bacteria). Your partner washing before sex, especially under the hood of his penis, couldn't hurt either to reduce the frequency of your infections.

To your health,
Dr. K