Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Women

Urinary Tract Infection or UTIs can infect any part of the lower body such as – Urinary Bladder, Ureters, Kidneys or Urethra. Women are by far at a greater risk to develop a UTI than men. UTI’s develop when microbes enter the urinary tract and cause it to get infected. Most UTI’s are caused by E. Coli Bacteria, though fungus may also be responsible in certain cases. Although antibiotics are the most common way of treating a urinary tract infection, natural remedies are also effective. In this article, we shall discuss about the symptoms, causes and treatment options of Urinary Tract Infections in Women.

It is a stroke of bad luck if you’ve ever experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI) as they are extremely unpleasant. Imagine day long pain, burning, and needing to urinate frequently. It can be quite frustrating! According to some doctors, your lifetime chance of developing one is as high as one in two, with many women experiencing recurring infections, often for years. One in every ten males will have a UTI in their entire lifetime.

WHAT IS UTI – Urinary Tract Infection?

UTIs are types of diseases that affect your urinary tract. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria (germs) that enter the bladder, which is part of the urinary system. This infection might affect your urethra.

The following categories are at a higher risk of complex UTIs:

• Men and Women with Poor Hygiene
• Sexually Active or Pregnant Women
• Immuno-compromised Patients
• Aging Increases chances of a UTI
• Those undergoing radiation treatment

Statistics World Wide –

Females are more prone than males to get a UTI, with 40-60% of females experiencing an infection at least once in their lives and 10% developing a UTI once a year. Females are more vulnerable than males because their urethra is shorter, allowing germs to enter the bladder more easily.

Each year, UTIs result in about 8.1 million visits to health care professionals. Approximately 60% of women and 12% of men will develop at least one UTI over their lives.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs) –

Urine is produced when your kidneys eliminate waste items and excess water from your blood. It normally passes through your urinary system uncontaminated. Bacteria, on the other hand, can enter the urinary system from outside the body, producing infections and inflammation. This causes urinary tract infection (UTI).

UTIs are most common in women and affect the bladder and urethra.

Types of UTI –

Cystitis

This form of UTI is typically caused by bacteria found in the gastrointestinal region. Other bacteria, on the other hand, are sometimes too responsible.

Sexual activity can cause cystitis. In women, cystitis is more likely to occur because there is a small distance between the urethra and the anus and the urethra’s entrance into the bladder.

Urethritis

When GI bacteria travel from the anus to the urethra, this form of UTI occurs. Furthermore, because the female urethra is so near to the vagina, sexually transmitted illnesses including herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma can induce urethritis.

Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms –

UTI symptoms can vary, and a person with a urinary tract infection may not have any symptoms. However, for many people, UTI symptoms are unpleasant and painful. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include:

• Pain or a burning sensation
• Nocturia – a constant need to urinate more often than usual during the night
• Cloudy, dark, or has a strong smell of urine.
• Needing to urinate more often than usual
• Blood in your Urine.
• Lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
• A high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
• A very low temperature below 36C

When a urinary tract infection spreads to the kidneys, it can cause symptoms including fever, trembling, chills, and pain in the upper back, and side.

Why do Women get More UTIs than Men?

Women are more likely than males to have urinary tract infections because germs may enter the bladder more easily in women. Because the urethra is shorter in women than in males, germs have to travel a shorter distance.

In women, the urethra is positioned near the rectum. Bacteria from the rectum can readily migrate up the urethra and infect the bladder. Bacteria from the rectum are more likely to enter the urethra if you wipe from back to front after a bowel movement rather than front to back. Make certain that youngsters understand how to wipe properly.

Urinary Tract Infection Treatment –

UTIs are treated with medicines and, in certain cases, pain relievers. While antibiotics are still the gold standard in urinary tract infection treatment, certain home remedies might help reduce symptoms.

Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) –

The primary line of treatment for urinary tract infections is antibiotics. While most UTIs are classified as basic or uncomplicated, the specific medicines administered. Basically use is influenced by factors such as the kind of bacteria found in your urine and your present health.

Some commonly used antibiotics for urinary tract infections include:

• Nitrofurantoin
• Sulfonamides (sulfa drugs).
• Amoxicillin
• Cephalosporins
• Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®).
• Doxycycline
• Quinolones

UTI Prevention –

You may take precautions to avoid a UTI. However, you might follow these instructions and still get a UTI.

• Urinate only when necessary. Don’t go more than three or four hours without urinating. The longer pee remains in the bladder, the longer bacteria can develop.
• Urinate both before and after sexual intercourse.
• Always wipe from the front to the rear.
• Drink six to eight glasses of water every day.
• Clean your Genitals and Outer Areas of your Anus regularly.
• Use a Natural Female Intimate Hygiene Product

Foods to Avoid if You have a UTI –

• Spicy Food
• Alcohol
• Acidic Fruits
• Sodas
• Coffee
• Artificial Sweeteners

Food to Eat if You have a UTI –

• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Cranberries
• Yogurt
• Garlic
• Pears
• Bananas
• Lean Proteins
• Potatoes

Vitamins which Cause Increase in UTI –

Consuming access of Vitamin C leads to a flare up in the bladder. Women who consume too much vitamin C also urinate more frequently.

A deficiency of Vitamin D can also lead to Urinary Tract Infection in Women in the Reproductive age.

How to Doctors check for a UTI?

Doctors usually take a urine sample and examine in under a microscope. A UTI can be detected by the presence of bacteria or yeast or even white blood cells which are the signs of a UTI.

If you get a lot of UTIs and use sperm-killing creams, talk to your doctor or nurse about switching to a different method of birth control.

Most UTIs go away within a week. However, if your discomfort persists over time, it is best to check with a doctor and get it treated. Untreated UTI can lead to severe health complications in women.