Why Do I Get Bladder Infections So Often

Too Much Alcohol Or Caffeine

They can act as a diuretic and flush more water out of you. They also curb your bodyâs production of vasopressin, a hormone that normally tells your kidneys to release more water to your body instead of sending it straight to your bladder. Itâs a good idea to sip water along with your cocktail, beer, or wine. While the effects of caffeine can be serious, it takes a lot more coffee to have the same effect as alcohol.

Symptoms Of Pid Verses Uti

Although a few symptoms can be common between pelvic inflammatory disease and a urinary tract infection, most of them are quite different. They both cause inflammation and pain in the pelvic region, frequent urination, and sometimes fever. But, then, the symptoms begin to vary and are not the same at all.

PID symptoms include:

• Bleeding or spotting between menstrual cycles
• Pain in the lower back or rectal area
• Extreme pain during sexual encounters
• Vaginal discharge

UTI symptoms are very different. They generally consist of:

• Burning or pain during urination
• Strong smelling urine
• Cloudy, white, or discolored urine
• Frequent need to go to the bathroom, but with little results
• Incontinence

What Causes A Bladder Infection

Bacteria that enter through the urethra and move into the bladder can cause infections. Typically, the body removes the bacteria by flushing them out during urination.

Bacteria can sometimes attach to the walls of your bladder and multiply quickly. This overwhelms the bodys ability to destroy them, resulting in a bladder infection.

Most bladder infections are caused by Escherichia coli . This type of bacteria is naturally present in the large intestines.

An infection can occur when bacteria from your stool get on your skin and enter your urethra. In women, the urethra is short and the outside opening is not far from the anus, so bacteria can easily move from one body system to another.

• a frequent sensation of having to urinate, which is called urgency
• cramping or pressure in your lower abdomen or lower back

When bladder infections spread, they can also cause mid-back pain. This pain is associated with an infection in the kidneys. Unlike muscular back pain, this pain will be persistent regardless of your position or activity.

A kidney infection will often cause:

• fever
• nausea
• vomiting

Youll typically feel quite ill. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections and require urgent medical attention.

Anyone can get bladder infections, but there are different risks for women and men.

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You Dont Drink Enough Water

Guzzling H2O will make you go pretty often. And thats a good thing. When you do this, the bacteria gets flushed out before they have a chance to grab hold, Minkin says.

Consider that your cue to make a giant water bottle your BFF. Hooton TM, et al. . Effect of increased daily water intake in premenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections: A randomized clinical trial. DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4204

You Drink Too Much Water

Itâs not just in straight H2O. You get 20-30% of water from foods, and more from other beverages. It may seem obvious, but too much water will make you pee more. That could lower the salt in your blood to unhealthy levels. Follow the âGoldilocksâ rule: Drink enough to keep your urine clear or light yellow, but not so much that you spend all day in the bathroom.

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Why Are Women And Older Adults More At Risk

E. coli or other bacteria cause UTIs, which are infections in your kidneys, bladder, ureters or urethra. Unfortunately, women are more likely to get them mainly because of their anatomy.

A womans urethra is shorter than a mans and closer to the anus. The urethra is also close to the vagina, which can collect bacteria during sex. So bacteria from both the anus and vagina have easy access to a womans urinary tract.

Post-menopausal women are also at higher risk because pH changes in the vagina make it more susceptible to infection.

Both men and women are more likely to get UTIs as they age. Certain medical conditions, such as bladder prolapse in women and enlarged prostate in men, cause incomplete bladder emptying in older adults. Urine that stays in your bladder too long can encourage bacteria to grow.

Some newer drugs for diabetes can also promote sugar in the urine and create conditions ideal for a UTI, Dr. Vasavada adds.

Diagnosis Of Uti Or Pid

Making a diagnosis of PID is more complicated. There should be a pelvic exam, a test for STIs, a swab of the cervix and urethra, blood and urine tests, an ultrasound, and a laparoscopy with tissue samples taken. Once PID is diagnosed it can often be eradicated with antibiotics taken for fourteen days. Sometimes, there is more than one kind of bacteria at fault. If that is the case, two antibiotics may be taken simultaneously.

A hospital stay is only called for if the woman suffering from PID is pregnant or her symptoms escalate to severe. Then, the antibiotics will be administered intravenously.

Surgery is required if there is extensive scarring of the fallopian tubes or an abscess that needs to be drained immediately.

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Treatment For Recurrent Utis

You can typically get rid of a simple UTI with antibiotics, the Mayo Clinic explains. But, when you have chronic UTIs, your doctor may recommend the following, per the Mayo Clinic:

What Is A Bladder Infection

A bladder infection is a common condition with upwards of 30% of women experiencing it at least once throughout in their life.

The medical name for bladder infection is Cystitis and it appears when Escherichia coli bacteria enter and travel up the urethra, infect the urine and inflame the internal bladder lining. E. coli is found primarily in the bowel, and lesser so, in the vagina and on the skin between the anus and the vagina . Although fairly sedate in its natural environment of the bowel, E. coli bacteria thrives in urines acidic state.

Bladder infections almost always present after a bacterial infection in the urine. It is the most common type of urinary tract infection , with women being much more prone than men. The onset age is around 40 years, although many women are diagnosed in their 30s.

A womans shorter urethra allows the bacteria to reach the bladder quickly. Additionally, the close proximity of the urethral, vaginal and anal openings make it easy for bacteria to be transferred.

Most women will experience a bladder infection at least once in their lives. While it is painful and annoying, its not dangerous or contagious, and cant be passed on to your partner during sex.

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What Can I Do To Prevent Recurrent Utis

The majority of UTIs, about 90%, are caused by E. coli, a bacteria that naturally occurs in your intestines where its helpful. When this bacteria comes in contact with your urinary tract system, however, it can be harmful and lead to a UTI.

For most people, simple hygiene and lifestyle changes can help prevent recurrent UTIs. To help stop a UTI before it starts, try implementing these tips:

• Avoid spreading E. coli by washing your genitals with warm water and mild soap before and after sex.
• Drink plenty of fluids to flush out any wandering bacteria from the urinary system.
• Be sure to urinate after having sex to keep bacteria from lingering in the urethra.
• When you feel the urge to urinate, go postponing urination increases your risk of developing a UTI.
• Be sure to wipe from front to back to avoid spreading E. coli to the vagina.

Ready to learn more about UTIs and how they affect older women? Experiencing symptoms of a UTI? Contact our Littleton office or book an appointment online now and the help you need!

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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When Urinary Tract Infections Keep Coming Back

If you are prone to recurrent UTIs, you can head them off before they take hold.

Unless you’re in the fortunate minority of women who have never had a urinary tract infection , you know the symptoms well. You might feel a frequent urgency to urinate yet pass little urine when you go. Your urine might be cloudy, blood-tinged, and strong-smelling. For 25% to 30% of women who’ve had a urinary tract infection, the infection returns within six months.

If you have repeated UTIs, you’ve experienced the toll they take on your life. However, you may take some comfort in knowing that they aren’t likely to be the result of anything you’ve done. “Recurrent UTIs aren’t due to poor hygiene or something else that women have brought on themselves. Some women are just prone to UTIs,” says infectious diseases specialist Dr. Kalpana Gupta, a lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Causes Of Recurrent Utis

Women are far more likely to develop UTIs than men because of the shorter distance between their rectum and urethra. And unfortunately, some women are more prone to developing UTIs than others.

Having a close family history of UTIs, like your sister or mother, also increases your risk as do other factors, including:

• Older age
• Using some forms of birth control
• Having health issues that make you more susceptible to infection
• Taking certain medications
• Not urinating after intercourse or engaging in sexual activity

Women who dont wipe from front to back after using the restroom or who use vaginal douches, scented feminine washes, or scented tampons and pads are also at higher risk of getting recurrent UTIs.

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Uti Symptoms In Seniors: What To Watch Out For

For seniors, many of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection are linked to changes in behavior, and they may include:

• Confusion
• Social withdrawal
• Hallucinations

Many of these atypical UTI symptoms mimic the signs of dementia, and the initial reaction to a senior acting in this way may be fear of developing or worsening dementia or Alzheimers. The first thing to do is to find out if the elderly individual has a UTI, since a UTI can exacerbate symptoms of dementia or cause these symptoms in an elderly individual who has not developed dementia.

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Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection In Pregnancy

UTI is the most frequent medical complication of pregnancy. The risk factors of preterm delivery, low infant birth weight and abortions are most commonly associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy.77 In pregnancy, factors that contribute to UTI risk are ureteric and renal pelvis dilation increased urinary pH decreased muscle tone of the ureters, and glycosuria, which promotes bacterial growth. Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy reduces the risk of pyelonephritis. As RUTIs are common in pregnancy, they need prophylactic treatment if they occur. Screening for bacteriuria is recommended in all pregnant women at their first prenatal visit and then in the third trimester.82,83 They should subsequently be treated with antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin, sulfisoxazole or cephalexin.21,24,8284 Antibiotic prophylaxis for RUTI in pregnant women is effective using continuous or post-coital regimens. The causative organisms of UTI in pregnancy are similar to those found in non-pregnant patients, with E. coli accounting for 8090% of infections.85,86 Urinary group B streptococcal infections in pregnant women need to be treated and followed by intrapartum prophylaxis.21

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Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract.

The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body .

Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.

Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:

• having sex

• do not use scented soap

• do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go

• do not rush when going for a pee try to fully empty your bladder

• do not wear tight, synthetic underwear, such as nylon

• do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks, as they may irritate your bladder

• do not have lots of sugary food or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to grow

• do not use condoms or a diaphragm or cap with spermicidal lube on them try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception

When To Get Medical Advice

It’s a good idea to see your GP if you think you might have a UTI, particularly if:

• you have symptoms of an upper UTI
• the symptoms are severe or getting worse
• the symptoms haven’t started to improve after a few days
• you get UTIs frequently

Your GP can rule out other possible causes of your symptoms by testing a sample of your urine and can prescribe antibiotics if you do have an infection.

Antibiotics are usually recommended because untreated UTIs can potentially cause serious problems if they’re allowed to spread.

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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.

Why Am I Getting Urinary Tract Infections

Ever since I started having sex I get urinary tract infections a lot. Does that mean there could be something else wrong? Mandy*

If you have burning or pain when you pee, it could be a number of things. One possibility is a urinary tract infection , but others include a sexually transmitted disease , such as chlamydia, or chemical irritation from a spermicide . Its hard to tell the difference without seeing a doctor or .

Urinary tract infections tend to be more common in girls who have sex. Often, they happen because bacteria entered the urethra .

Follow these steps to help decrease your chances of getting UTIs:

• Don’t touch your vagina with anything that has been in contact with your anus . This includes condoms, toilet paper, fingers, etc. Do not go from anal to vaginal sex.
• Wipe front to back after going to the bathroom.
• Pee right before and after sex.
• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water.

STDs can cause symptoms similar to those of a UTI, such as burning, vaginal discharge, belly pain, and irregular bleeding.

Many times, though, STDs have few symptoms, which is why it is important for anyone who has had sex to be tested at least once a year. And always use condoms with any type of sex to help prevent STDs.

In any case, the best thing to do is get checked out ASAP by a health care provider who can look for the reason you’re having symptoms. It’s really important to get the right diagnosis and treatment!

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.

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Can Recurrent Utis Be A Sign Of Cancer

Both UTIs and bladder cancer can cause similar symptoms, such as a frequent need to urinate and even blood in the urine, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center.

According to the American Cancer Society, urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder stones, and other causes of chronic bladder irritation have been linked to bladder cancer. However, its not clear whether recurrent urinary or bladder infections can actually cause bladder cancer or whether they constitute a true risk factor for bladder cancer.

The biggest known risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking. The risk of bladder cancer also increases with age. Most people who get bladder cancer are over the age of 55.

If you think you may have chronic or recurrent UTIs, its best to get checked out by your doctor. Your provider can rule out other health issues, including bladder cancer, and get you the treatment you need to get rid of chronic UTIs.

Reasons Why Women Get More Utis Than Men

Dr. Boyd Clary discusses anatomical differences and tips for prevention.

If youve ever felt that burning sensation and frequent need to urinate, youre not alone. One of the most frequent causes for a sick visit to the OB/GYN is a urinary tract infection . A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urethra and infect part of your urinary system.

UTIs are significantly more common in women than in men. In fact, women get UTIs up to 30 times more often than men. Why? As with most things, there is no one answer. From anatomical differences to hormonal changes and stages of a womans reproductive life cycle, a combination of factors contributes to women being more susceptible to UTIs than men. Lets take a look.

1. Length of Urethra

The biggest reason is female anatomy, particularly with regards to the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. While the urethra is an exit for urine, it is also an entrance for bacteria to get into the urinary tract. The female urethra is much shorter in length in women than men. The average female urethra is 1-2 inches long compared to the male urethra which is 6 inches long. This is important when it comes to bacteria. Bacteria is seeded at the urethra meatus , which means it has a shorter distance to climb to infect the bladder in females than in males.

2. More Sensitive Skin

3. Placement of Urethra

4. Sexual Contact

5. Specific Types of Contraception

6. Menopause

7. Pregnancy

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