Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common iatrogenic complication of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving urethral manipulation, such as catheterization or cystoscopy. Due to the potential for UTIs to incur additional healthcare costs, adversely affect outcome, and diminish patient satisfaction, steps to reduce risk are warranted in both males and females. Simple steps surrounding the performance of endourethral procedures, such as employing antimicrobial prophylaxis and minimizing injury and trauma to the urethral endothelium through lubricants and anaesthesia, offer opportunities to reduce the risk of infection over that provided by standard infection control practice alone. Many of these steps are well known but applied inconsistently. In performing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures involving the urethra, rigorously implemented UTI risk reduction assures high standards of quality of care.