Why Some Women Get Recurrent Utis
The infections are usually caused by Escherichia coli, a bacterium that lives in the intestinal system. If E. coli are carried from the rectum to the vagina, they can enter the urethra and infect the bladder.
Risk factors for UTI vary with age. Before menopause, the most common risk factors are sexual intercourse and use of spermicides. It’s thought that sex increases the number of bacteria in the bladder, and many experts advise women to urinate after sex to flush them out. Spermicides may kill off Lactobacilli, beneficial bacteria in the vagina, making it easier for E. coli to move in.
After menopause, certain physical changes help set the stage for UTIs. The numbers of Lactobacilli in the vagina naturally decline. The bladder also contracts less strongly than it once did, making it more difficult to empty it completely.
In both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, genes play a role as well. Having a mother or sister who has frequent UTIs is also a risk factor.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection
These are the most common symptoms of a UTI:
- Frequent urination
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Fever
- Urine looks dark, cloudy, or reddish in color
- Urine smells bad
- Feeling pain even when not urinating
- Tiredness
- Pain in the back or side, below the ribs
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Despite an strong urge to urinate, only a small amount of urine is passed
- Women may feel an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone
The symptoms of UTI may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see a health care provider for a diagnosis.
Hpv And Cervical Cancer
Intermenstrual bleeding can be a sign of more serious problems, such as cervical or endometrial cancer, and for this reason I would advise that if you are having intermenstrual bleeding, or any other new or worrying symptoms, see your doctor even if its only for a bit of reassurance.
Cervical cancer is very often caused by the human papilloma virus infection, which is a sexually transmitted virus. There are around 100 different types of the virus, some of which can cause genital warts, some of which can cause cervical cancer, and some of which dont do much at all. Lots of people, both men and women, have HPV at some point in their life and often the body gets rid of the virus, just like it fights off the common cold.
Having a high-risk strain of HPV for a period of time can increase the risk of the cells in the cervix becoming cancerous. The virus itself cant be treated, but its effects can genital warts can be treated in a number of ways, and pre-cancerous changes in the cervix can be picked up by a smear test and treated before they become cancer. Like all tests, its not fool-proof, and intermenstrual bleeding should still prompt a visit to the doctor, even if you have had regular, normal smear tests. 4
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Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer
It is veryimportant that you visit your GP as soon as you notice anything unusual theearlier that bladder cancer is diagnosed, the more quickly it can be treatedand the better the outcome.
The most common symptoms are:
- Blood in theurine
- Recurrenturinary infections
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Spotting Symptoms Of A Kidney Infection
A kidney infection is not to be taken lightly, and you should never ignore the symptoms.
Left untreated, this type of infection can cause permanent damage to your kidneys and lead to other severe complications. Understanding the severity of this condition, would you be able to spot the symptoms of a kidney infection?
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Injury To The Kidneys
Glomeruli are tiny structures within the kidneys that help filter and clean the blood. Glomerulonephritis is the term for a group of diseases that can injure these structures.
In people with GN, the injured kidneys are unable to remove waste and excess fluid from the body. Without treatment, GN can lead to kidney failure.
Chronic GN often occurs in young men who also have hearing and vision loss.
Acute GN comes on suddenly and may cause the following symptoms:
- facial puffiness in the morning
- blood in the urine
What Is A Uti And What Is A Bladder Infection
A urinary tract infection is an infection in your urinary system. Around 50-60% of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, and an unlucky number of them get UTIs frequently. The American Urological Association estimates that 20-40% of women who have had one UTI will get another one, and 25-50% of those women will end up having at least one more after that. Men can also get UTIs, though this happens less frequently than it does in women.
UTIs occur when unwanted bacteria end up in your urinary tract and trigger inflammation. They are caused by a variety of factors, including sexual activity, poor hygiene, genetics, age, and certain types of contraceptives.
The most reliable sign of a UTI is a stinging or burning sensation with urination, though other symptoms may also occur.
A bladder infection is a type of UTI that occurs specifically in your bladder.
Think of it this way: Your urinary tract includes your urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys.
Your bladder is the closest organ to your urethra , so its the area of the body most commonly affected by UTIs. Doctors call inflammation in the bladder cystitis and inflammation in the urethra urethritis.
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What Is The Prognosis For A Person With A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections typically respond very well to treatment. A UTI can be uncomfortable before you start treatment, but once your healthcare provider identifies the type of bacteria and prescribes the right antibiotic medication, your symptoms should improve quickly. Its important to keep taking your medication for the entire amount of time your healthcare provider prescribed. If you have frequent UTIs or if your symptoms arent improving, your provider may test to see if its an antibiotic-resistant infection. These are more complicated infections to treat and may require intravenous antibiotics or alternative treatments.
How Are Utis Diagnosed
Only a health care provider can treat urinary tract infections. The first thing a doctor will do is confirm that a person has a UTI by taking a clean-catch urine specimen. At the doctor’s office, you’ll be asked to clean your genital area with disposable wipes and then pee into a sterile cup.
The sample may be used for a urinalysis or a urine culture . Knowing what bacteria are causing the infection can help your doctor choose the best treatment.
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Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented
These steps may help reduce the chance of getting UTIs:
- Drink plenty of water every day.
- Drink cranberry juice. Large amounts of vitamin C limit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C supplements have the same effect.
- Urinate when you feel the need. Do not wait.
- Females, wipe from front to back to keep bacteria around the anus from going in the vagina or urethra.
- Take showers instead of tub baths.
- Clean the genital area before and after sex, and urinate shortly after sex.
- Women should not use feminine hygiene sprays or scented douches.
- Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes help keep the area around the urethra dry. Tight clothes and nylon underwear trap moisture. This can help bacteria grow.
- Repeated bouts of urinary tract infections can be treated with small doses of regular antibiotics.
Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have about UTIs.
How To Feel Better
If your healthcare professional prescribes you antibiotics:
- Take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare professional tells you.
- Do not share your antibiotics with others.
- Do not save antibiotics for later. Talk to your healthcare professional about safely discarding leftover antibiotics.
Drink plenty of water or other fluids. Your healthcare professional might also recommend medicine to help lessen the pain or discomfort. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your antibiotics.
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Bleeding Frequent Urge To Urinate Frequent Urination And Vaginal Bleeding
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 10/9/2020
Vaginal bleeding or discharge is sometimes associated with symptoms related to the urinary tract. It is possible for conditions to cause symptoms of both vaginal and urinary infections. Vaginal bleeding outside of the menstrual period can be a sign of infection or an ectopic pregnancy. Be sure to seek the advice of your doctor if you are experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding or any concerning symptoms.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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Causes Of Hemorrhagic Cystitis
The most common causes of severe and long-lasting HC are chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Infections can also cause HC, but these causes are less severe, dont last long, and are easier to treat.
An uncommon cause of HC is working in an industry where youre exposed to toxins from aniline dyes or insecticides.
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Prevent Your Bladder From Getting Too Full
Empty your bladder when needed. Empty it completely each time. This will help to reduce your chances of developing two common problems that increase your risk for UTI.
How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.
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What Is A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary system. This type of infection can involve your urethra , kidneys or bladder, .
Your urine typically doesnt contain bacteria . Urine is a byproduct of our filtration systemthe kidneys. When waste products and excess water is removed from your blood by the kidneys, urine is created. Normally, urine moves through your urinary system without any contamination. However, bacteria can get into the urinary system from outside of the body, causing problems like infection and inflammation. This is a urinary tract infection .
Causes Of Utis And Bladder Infections In Men
Women are more likely to get urinary tract infections and bladder infections than men because they have a shorter urethra located closer to their rectum.
For them, sexual activity or even wearing a pair of underwear for too long can cause bacteria like E. coli to come in contact with the urinary tract.
Men can get UTIs too, but in their case, its usually due to genetics, prostate changes with age, or an abnormal immune response. STDs such as chlamydia are another frequent cause of UTIs in men.
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Do You Need To See A Doctor To Get Antibiotics For A Uti
You need to speak with your doctor or a licensed medical professional to be prescribed antibiotics for a UTI. This can usually be done in person, at the doctor, or over the phone.
If this is your first UTI or your symptoms are severe, it may be helpful to get treated in person. You may also want to consider an in-person visit with your healthcare professional to rule out sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active or have multiple sexual partners.
Causes Of Utis And Bladder Infections
UTIs and bladder infections occur as a result of bacterial growth in your urinary tract. Your body is naturally home to billions of species of bacteria, and not all of them are bad.
In fact, bacteria help keep your body functioning the way its supposed to. But some bacteria dont belong in sensitive places in your body, and they can trigger some pretty miserable symptoms when they end up in the wrong place.
For example, E. coli, which is most commonly found in your digestive system, is also the most common type of bacteria to cause a UTI or bladder infection.
Several things can increase the risk of UTIs and bladder infections. While some of these risk factors are out of your control, you can control others.
- Sexual intercourse: As fun as sex is, it can increase the risk of developing UTIs. The friction and movement around your genital area during sexual activity can facilitate bacteria moving around down there.
- Hygiene: Things like forgetting to change your underwear, wiping from back to front, or sitting in wet or sweaty clothes for prolonged periods can up your chances of getting a UTI.
- Genetics: Some people are simply more prone to UTIs than others. If someone in your immediate family gets UTIs regularly, youre probably more susceptible to them too.
- Age: Due to urinary incontinence and estrogen deficiency, research shows that women are more likely to get recurrent UTIs after menopause.
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Check If It’s A Urinary Tract Infection
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include:
- pain or a burning sensation when peeing
- needing to pee more often than usual during the night
- pee that looks cloudy, dark or has a strong smell
- needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
- needing to pee more often than usual
- 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
What Is Bladder Infection
Bladder infection in men is also known as cystitis. The bladder is a container that stores the urine made by the kidneys. The urine passes from the bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body.
The term cystitis refers to an inflammation of your urinary bladder. It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection and may be short-term or chronic.
This article will explain what are the causes of bladder infection in men, what are the symptoms of cystitis, and what are its treatments.
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Drink Plenty Of Water
Although urinating can be painful when you have a UTI, its important to drink as many fluids as possible particularly water. Most adults should aim to drink between six and eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
The more you drink, the more youll urinate, which can help flush harmful bacteria from the urinary tract.
Bladder Infection Symptoms In Women
Would you recognize any of these?
At 22 years old, I found myself in bed one day, ditching work with an on-and-off-again fever of 104 degrees F. Besides the standard feverish chills and sweats, nothing else seemed wrong with me, so I attributed my temperature to the flu.
But one day of fever turned into three, which turned into five. Id never had a fever that turned on and off like a light switch, so I finally decided to call the doctor. When I described symptoms, he immediately had me pee in a cup and diagnosed me with the one condition Id never considered: a bladder infection.
Id had a few other bladder infections in my life, but they were always accompanied by a searing sensation when I urinated, so it never crossed my mind. What I know now: Theres more than one way to experience a bladder infection .
A bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection and most UTIs are bladder infections, says Jessica Shepherd, M.D., a Chicago-based ob-gyn.
Women are, unfortunately, about 30 times more likely than men to get a bladder infection because our urethras are shorter and closer to our vagina and anus, making it easier for infection-causing bacteria to make their way into the urinary tract, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
While theres no normal when it comes to toilet habits, if youre going more than eight times a day, or more than twice an hour, thats probably too much, says Shepherd.
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Are Some Women More At Risk For Utis
Yes. You may be at greater risk for a UTI if you:1,5
- Are sexually active. Sexual activity can move germs that cause UTIs from other areas, such as the vagina, to the urethra.
- Use a diaphragm for birth control or use spermicides with a diaphragm or with condoms. Spermicides can kill good bacteria that protect you from UTIs.
- Are pregnant. Pregnancy hormones can change the bacteria in the urinary tract, making UTIs more likely. Also, many pregnant women have trouble completely emptying the bladder, because the uterus with the developing baby sits on top of the bladder during pregnancy. Leftover urine with bacteria in it can cause a UTI.
- Have gone through menopause. After menopause, loss of the hormone estrogen causes vaginal tissue to become thin and dry. This can make it easier for harmful bacteria to grow and cause a UTI.
- Have diabetes, which can lower your immune system and cause nerve damage that makes it hard to completely empty your bladder
- Have any condition, like a kidney stone, that may block the flow of urine between your kidneys and bladder
- Have or recently had a catheter in place. A catheter is a thin tube put through the urethra into the bladder. Catheters drain urine when you cannot pass urine on your own, such as during surgery.