Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect 60% of women during their lifetime. Some have one UTI and never again have the problem. Others become plagued by chronic UTIs that can be challenging to prevent and treat.
Whether you’re experiencing your first or second UTI or struggle with recurrent infections, it’s essential to seek expert care from Chetanna Okasi, MD, at Women’s Wellness MD.
She performs in-office testing, diagnoses the condition, and prescribes treatment to eliminate the infection.
Here’s what you need to know about UTIs, including symptoms warning you of an infection and ways to prevent them.
UTIs develop when bacteria travel from the outer body into the urinary tract. Bacteria from your bowel naturally live on the skin around your anus or vagina. These microorganisms can get inside the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) and cause an infection.
You may also get UTIs if you have a condition preventing your bladder from fully emptying. Bacteria can thrive in urine remaining in the bladder for a period and eventually cause a UTI.
UTIs usually affect the urethra and bladder. Though rare, a UTI can reach the kidneys, causing a potentially dangerous kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
After a UTI develops, you can recognize the problem by the following symptoms:
A kidney infection causes a fever, chills, lower back pain, and nausea.
After their first UTI, 20-30% of women have another infection within 3-4 months. You have recurrent UTIs if you have three or more infections in a year or two or more in six months.
You may be able to treat a minor UTI without visiting your healthcare provider. Drinking extra fluids and consuming cranberry products (beverages or pills) may eliminate the bacteria.
However, if your symptoms don’t improve in one day or worsen, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Most women should immediately see their healthcare provider when their symptoms suggest a UTI.
Bacterial infections usually require antibiotics. Without treatment, a UTI can progress to cause complications, including:
Sepsis is a medical emergency. This condition can turn life-threatening when the immune response to the UTI leads to inflammation throughout your body.
We recommend the following eight steps to prevent UTIs:
Urine naturally eliminates bacteria by flushing them out of the urinary tract. Getting enough fluids dilutes your urine and makes you urinate more often.
The bacteria responsible for UTIs primarily come from the bowel area. As a result, wiping from the front to the back lowers the risk of bacteria traveling from the anus to your urethra.
Having sex can push bacteria closer to or into the urethra. Urinating shortly after intercourse helps remove the bacteria before an infection develops.
Using a diaphragm, an unlubricated condom, or condoms treated with a spermicide may increase the risk of UTIs. Changing to another method may prevent future infections.
Douching and applying sprays or powders in your genital area make you more likely to have a UTI. These products disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria, making it easier for infection-causing bacteria to thrive.
Being pregnant or reaching menopause boosts the chance of having UTIs. We can help you prevent or treat UTIs during these life transitions.
During pregnancy, we run urine tests, allowing us to find bacteria and provide treatment before an infection begins. In menopause, topical vaginal estrogen or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy prevents UTIs.
Managing chronic health conditions that make you more vulnerable to UTIs is also essential. For example, diabetes and chronic kidney disease significantly raise the risk of UTIs.
Consuming cranberry products may prevent UTIs by stopping bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows certain cranberry products to carry a health claim that states the product may prevent recurrent UTIs.
Cranberry beverages containing at least 27% cranberry juice and supplements with 500 milligrams (mg) of cranberry fruit powder are allowed to put the claim on the product label.
Women with recurrent UTIs may need to take a daily dose of antibiotics for 6-12 months.
As OB/GYN specialists, our Women’s Wellness MD team has extensive experience diagnosing and treating UTIs. Call the nearest office or use online booking to schedule a UTI evaluation.
