If you’re a woman, your chance of getting a urinary tract infection, or UTI, is high; some experts rank your lifetime risk of getting one as high as 1 in 2, with many women having repeat infections, sometimes for years on end. Here’s how to handle UTI’s, whether you’re experiencing your first or fifth infection, and how to make it less likely you’ll get one in the first place.
What Causes UTI’s in Women
UTI’s are a key reason we’re often told to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. That’s because the urethra (the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) is located close to the anus. Bacteria from the large intestine, such as E-coli, are in the perfect position to escape the anus and invade the urethra. From there, they can travel up to the bladder, and if the infection isn’t treated, continue on to infect the kidneys. Women may be especially prone to UTI’s because they have shorter urethras, which allow bacteria quick access to the bladder. Having sex can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, too.
Tests and Treatments for UTI’sIf you suspect you have a UTI, head to the doctor. You’ll be asked to give a urine sample, which will be tested for the presence of UTI-causing bacteria. The treatment? Antibiotics to kill the intruders. As always, be sure to finish off the prescribed cycle of medicine completely, even after you start to feel better. And drink lots of water to help flush the bacteria from your system. Your doctor may prescribe a medication to soothe the pain, and a heating pad may also be helpful.To identify a UTI, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
• A burning feeling when you urinate
• A frequent or intense urge to urinate, even though little comes out when you do
• Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen
• Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine
• Feeling tired or shaky
• Fever or chills (a sign the infection may have reached your kidneys
People of any age or sex can get UTI’s. But about four times as many women get UTI’s as men. You’re also at higher risk if you have diabetes, need a tube to drain your bladder, or have a spinal cord injury.
If you think you have a UTI, it is important to see your doctor. Your doctor can tell if you have a UTI with a urine test. Treatment is with antibiotics.
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