What Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
Urinary Tract Infections, commonly referred to as UTIs, can affect any part of the urinary system, such as the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. Although men can experience them, they are more common in women. In fact, 50%-60% of women will experience a UTI at some point in their lifetime. UTIs are among the most frequently occurring infections in women, accounting for nearly 25% of all infections.
It’s not a surprise that UTIs are so common in women. Anatomically, the urethra is close to both the vagina and anus. Accompanying risk factors include:
- Sexual activity—Being sexually active increases your chance of getting a UTI. To help mitigate the risk, it’s important to urinate after sexual intercourse to flush out the bacteria that could potentially lead to an infection.
- Menopause—After menopause, women’s estrogen levels drop, which can cause changes to tthe urinary tract, thus making you vulnerable to infection.
- A suppressed immune system or other health factors—The immune system acts as a shield to fight germs off. Diseases such as diabetes can increase the risk of getting a UTI.
Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
The symptoms of a UTI may vary depending on the person. Sometimes, the symptoms are hidden; however, the most common ones are:
- The constant urge to urinate
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Passing frequent, but small amounts of urine
- Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
- Urine that appears red or pink—this is a sign of blood
If you do notice blood in your urine, it could be a sign that your UTI has led to a kidney infection or could be due to another condition and it’s crucial that you contact your primary health care provider as soon as possible. Kidney infections are severe and can damage your kidneys permanently if not treated properly.
Treating your UTI is simple and painless—all you need is an antibiotic, which can be prescribed by your physician or advanced practice provider. There are also steps you can take to help prevent UTIs and lower your risk.
- Drink water! This helps you urinate more frequently, helping to flush out any bacteria.
- Always wipe front to back. UTIs can be caused by E. coli, so take the extra precaution to help prevent bacteria in your anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Empty the bladder after intercourse—As previously stated, always urinate as soon as possible following sexual intercourse. It might be beneficial to drink water right after sexual activity to help speed up the process.
- Avoid harmful feminine products—Feminine products such as douches or feminine washes are actually harmful to your vagina and can throw off your pH balance, and irritate the urethra.
Contact Us
At Connecticut Coastal OB/GYN, we’re here to answer your questions and treat you if you are experiencing any UTI symptoms. Our trained, experienced professionals will help you every step of the way. To schedule an appointment, call us today at (203) 562-5181 or contact us online.
Resources used:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
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