Submitted by Dele Ogunleye, MD, Advanced Women’s Healthcare
At least 30 percent of women experience a urinary tract infection in their lifetime. In addition to discomfort, potential for more serious complications, and lost productivity, more than 2.5 billion dollars is spent annually on an estimated 500 million outpatient visits.
As the name implies, UTI is infection usually by bacteria of the urinary tract. The urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, and urethra, is the body’s drainage system for removing wastes and extra water. If you have an infection, you may have some or all of these signs:
- Pain or stinging when you pass urine.
- An urge to pass urine a lot, but not much comes out when you go.
- Pressure in your lower belly.
- Urine that smells bad or looks milky, cloudy, or reddish in color. If you see blood in your urine, tell a doctor right away.
- Feeling tired or shaky or having a fever
What causes UTI’s?
Normally, bacteria that enter the urinary tract are rapidly removed by the body before they cause symptoms. However, sometimes bacteria overcome the body’s natural defenses and cause infection. This can happen in many ways:
- Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement. Germs can get into your urethra, which has its opening in front of the vagina.
- Having sexual intercourse. Germs in the vagina can be pushed into the urethra.
- Waiting too long to pass urine. When urine stays in the bladder for a long time, more germs are made, and the worse a UTI can become.
- Using a diaphragm for birth control, or spermicides with a diaphragm or on a condom.
- Anything that makes it hard to completely empty your bladder, like a kidney stone.
- Having diabetes, which makes it harder for your body to fight other health problems.
- Loss of estrogen and changes in the vagina after menopause.
A health care provider can determine if a person has a UTI by collecting and examining a urine sample. UTIs are treated with antibiotics and most women feel better in one or two days. UTIs are not serious, but can cause serious problems in your kidneys and the rest of your body if not treated. Also, if you’re pregnant and have signs of a UTI, see your doctor immediately. A UTI could cause problems in your pregnancy, such as having your baby too early or getting high blood pressure. Also, UTIs in pregnant women are more likely to travel to the kidneys.
How can I keep from getting UTIs?
There are steps you can take to prevent a UTI.
- Urinate when you need to. Don’t hold it. Pass urine before and after sex. After you pass urine or have a bowel movement, wipe from front to back.
- Drink water every day and after sex. Try for six to eight glasses a day.
- Don’t use douches or feminine hygiene sprays.
- If you get a lot of UTIs and use spermicides, or creams that kill sperm, talk to your doctor about using other forms of birth control.
- Wear underpants with a cotton crotch. Don’t wear tight-fitting pants, which can trap in moisture.
- Take showers instead of tub baths.
About one in five women who get UTIs will get another one. Some women get three or more UTIs a year. These women are said to have recurrent UTIs. If you are prone to UTIs, ask your doctor about your treatment options. There are also special tests that can be done to see what might be causing repeat infections. If you have symptoms of a UTI, call your doctor.
Dele Ogunleye, M.D., provides a full range of obstetric and gynecologic services. He is subspecialized in urogynecology so he has particular expertise in treating pelvic floor disorders. You may contact Dr. Ogunleye at Advanced Women’s Healthcare at 309-808-3068 or www.awhcare.com. His office is located at 2111 East Oakland Avenue (Next to the Jewel-Osco Plaza).