You’re not alone if you’ve ever had that burning sensation and constant want to urinate. UTIs are one of the most usual reasons for ill visits to the OB/GYN (UTI). When germs enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract, it becomes a UTI. You can visit a Urologist in Chennai for consultation if you see these symptoms.
Women are more seen to develop UTIs than men. Women are up to 30 times more likely to have UTIs than males. Why? There is more than one solution, like with most things. Women are more inclined to UTIs than males for various reasons, including anatomical variations, hormonal shifts, and stages of a woman’s reproductive life cycle.
Let’s look at how a woman gets a urinary tract infection.
What is UTI?
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary system (UTI). The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The majority of infections affect the bladder and urethra, which are elements of the lower urinary system.
Women are more feasible to get a UTI compared to men. An infection that only affects the bladder can be uncomfortable and painful. A UTI, however, can extend to the kidneys and cause significant health issues.
How does a woman get a urinary tract infection?
The most commonly seen cause of UTIs is when bacteria invade the urinary tract through the urethra and increase in the bladder. It is the purpose of the urinary system to keep bacteria out. But sometimes, the defenses fall apart. If that occurs, germs may establish a foothold and become severe urinary system infections.
The bladder and urethra are the most commonly affected areas by UTIs, primarily affecting women.
- A bladder infection –
Escherichia coli typically cause this type of UTI (E. coli). A prevalent form of bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is E. coli. But occasionally, other microbes are to blame.
Although you don’t have to have intercourse to get a bladder infection, having sex can certainly cause one. Due to the anatomy of women, they are all susceptible to bladder infections. The urethra is near the anus in females.
Additionally, the bladder is close to the urethral entrance. This facilitates the entry of microorganisms around the anus into the urethra and subsequent passage to the bladder.
- Urethral infection –
Anus to urethra transmission of GI bacteria can result in this kind of UTI. Sexually transmitted infections can also result in an infection of the urethra. They include mycoplasma, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. Women’s urethras are located close to the vagina, which makes this possible.
Several other factors can cause UTIs, such as
- Needing more liquids in.
- Holding back urine on purpose for a long time.
- Injury to the spinal cord or other nerve damage that makes it challenging to frequently and thoroughly empty the bladder
- Urinary obstruction-causing conditions or circumstances include a tumor, kidney stone, an enlarged prostate, or sexual activity.
- Diabetes and other illnesses weaken the body’s immunological defenses against infection.
- Catheters (tubes put in the urethra and bladder to drain pee) (tubes placed in the urethra and bladder to drain urine).
- Pregnancy-related hormonal changes in the female urinary system facilitate bacterial propagation from the ureters to the kidneys.
Although UTIs are not contagious like STDs, having intercourse can cause or exacerbate UTIs. A UTI can nonetheless occur without sex. A UTI can be brought on by anything that contacts your urethra with bacteria.
How to treat UTI?
A urinary tract infection will require medical attention. Antibiotics are drugs that fight infection by killing microorganisms. Urinary tract infections are normally treated with antibiotics. Your doctor will be able to choose a medicine that works the best against the certain bacteria causing your infection.
You must take the medication according to your doctor’s instructions. Don’t stop taking antibiotics just because you feel better and your symptoms disappear. You need to complete the whole course of medicine, or UTI may return.
If you have a record of repeated UTIs, your doctor could give you antibiotics as soon as your symptoms appear.
How to Stop UTI Re-Infection?
You can prevent getting another UTI by observing the following advice:
- Anytime you feel the urge to urinate, empty your bladder from time to time; take your time and make sure it is empty.
- After using the restroom, wipe or clean the seat from front to back.
- Get plenty of water.
- Showers are preferable to baths.
- Avoid scented douches, bath products, and hygiene sprays because they make you itch more.
- Before having intercourse, clean your genital area.
- After sex, urinate to remove any bacteria that may have made their way into your urethra.
- If you currently use a spermicidal jelly, unlubricated condoms, or a diaphragm for birth control, you might wish to try a different approach. While unlubricated condoms and spermicides can damage your urinary system, diaphragms can accelerate the growth of microorganisms. All of them may increase the likelihood of UTI symptoms.
- Wear cotton underwear and baggy clothing to make your genital area dry. Wearing nylon underwear and tight pants can trap moisture, which is the ideal setting for the growth of bacteria.
What signs and symptoms are associated with UTI?
The lining of the urinary tract becomes inflamed and red due to a urinary tract infection, which may result in some of the symptoms listed below:
- Side (flank), abdominal, or pelvic pain.
- The lower pelvis is under pressure.
- Urge to urinate frequently (frequency), quickly (urgency), and wetness (urine leakage).
- Dysuria, or painful urination, and blood in the pee
- A nighttime urge to urinate.
- Abnormal urine color (cloudy pee) and urine that smells strongly or unfavorably.
Some signs of a urinary tract infection are
- Suffering when having sex.
- Lower back discomfort or soreness on one side of the body.
- Fatigue.
- Fever and chills, or fever more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Vomiting.
- Confusion or fluctuations in the brain.
Conclusion:
Keep in mind that many women have UTIs throughout their lifetime. Discuss the potential causes and available treatments with your doctor if it occurs to you. While some illnesses may go away independently, other infections call for medications. You can consult a Urologist in Chennai through Credihealth if you are suffering from UTI.
FAQs –
What side effects might a urinary tract infection (UTI) cause?
Antibiotics are a simple and effective way to treat a urinary tract infection. This kind of infection, however, can result in a more dangerous disease, like a kidney infection, if it is not treated or if you discontinue the treatment too soon.
Can cranberry juice help you from getting a UTI?
Many claims that cranberry juice can assist in treating or even preventing a UTI. Although they are still researching the issue, researchers have yet to discover a definitive solution. Medical professionals advise drinking plenty of fluids if you have a UTI or have a history of developing one.
How frequent are UTIs or urinary tract infections?
One in every five women will get a urinary tract infection at some point in their lives. UTIs are more common in women, although they can also occur in males, the elderly, and children. Urinary tract infections affect 1 to 2% of children. Urinary tract infections cause 8 million to 10 million medical visits each year.
Why do women get UTIs more frequently than men?
The urine is typically sterile. Bacteria invading the urinary tract via the urethra is what causes UTIs. Because the urethra present in women is much shorter than in men—about 1.5 inches compared to 8 inches—women get these infections more often than men.
