UTIs in Women: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment

Around 50% to 60% of women get a Urinary tract Infection (UTI) once in their lives. Also, women are more prone to infection than men, because the urethra is closer to the anus, which becomes an easy pathway for bacteria. This is not just any type of infection; it can lead to a life-threatening condition. Aveya Fertility Centre wants women to take care of their children rather than ignore the signs. 

This article dives into the world of UTI in women, its causes, symptoms, and effective treatment. Additionally, there is some shocking information that will blow your mind, so continue reading till the end. 

What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

This is one of the common problems in women because of their anatomy (where the urethra is closer to the anus). UTI is a type of infection that happens when bad bacteria enter the urinary system, ureters, bladder, urethra, and kidneys. Our urinary system is responsible for creating a balance of excretion of waste and regulating the amount of water in the body. When bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) enter the system, this causes disruption in the body and causes symptoms. If these symptoms are left untreated, then they transform into an infection or sometimes cause major issues. 

Understanding UTI is the first step to healthy living, because you can protect yourself from infection by diagnosing it in the early stage. To know more briefly, let’s start with the types of UTIs. 

 

Types of UTIs

 

Lower UTIs

This type of urinary tract infection affects the urethra and bladder. 

• Cystitis: This infection causes inflammation in the bladder due to the E. coli bacteria, which easily enter the urethra and reach the bladder. This happens because of the female anatomy (shorter urethra and its closer proximity to the anus). Burning sensation while urinating, frequent urination, and strong smell are some of the symptoms that can be treated using antibiotics. 
• Urethritis: this leads to inflammation in the urethra and is mainly caused by chemical or scented soaps, sexually transmitted bacteria like gonorrhea or chlamydia, or tight clothes. Unusual discharge, burning sensation, lower abdominal pain, painful intercourse, and fever are symptoms that you should not ignore.
  

  Upper UTI

   

  You know what, a kidney infection is a form of severe UTI. When the initial infection travels from the lower urinary tract to the kidney, it can worsen the situation and turn into an upper urinary tract infection. It is also known as pyelonephritis.

  Women who are prone to UTIs and pregnant have a higher risk of this issue, as their bladders become vulnerable and allow infection through the bladder. Pyelonephritis affects 1-2% of women every year.

Most of the upper UTIs are caused by the untreated lower UTI or incomplete treatment, which allows bacteria to move to the upper side. However, it included the risk of complications and complete damage to the kidney if left untreated.

Chronic or Recurrent UTIs

If a women experience infection three or more times in a year or has two or more infections within 6 months, then this is a case of recurrent UTI. Sometimes, even a urine test is unable to pick up the infection, making it harder to diagnose. Also, in some cases, these don’t respond to standard treatment or antibiotics. 

If a mother has a recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), then it is most likely to pass on a genetic predisposition to her daughter. Although UTIs occur because of the bacteria, genetics plays an important role in how the body responds to them, making you more or less susceptible. 

Due to bacterial persistence, anatomical abnormalities (kidney stone, urethral diverticula), incomplete treatment, urinary retention, sexual activity without maintaining hygiene, hormonal changes due to menopause, or certain birth control pills increase the risk. 

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

It is necessary to know the signs and symptoms of UTI to get early treatment. Though signs vary based on the location and severity, if you see the sign, you can diagnose it sooner and protect yourself from chronic UTI. One thing is common: discomfort, and you should not ignore this very first sign of a urinary tract infection. Let’s understand the symptoms based on the type-

Lower UTI

• Frequent urge to urinate, even though little or no urine is produced. 
• Burning sensation with mild pain and irritation. 
• Change in appearance with foul or cloudy smell. 
• Red or pink colored urine indicates the seriousness of the issue. 
• Pelvic and lower abdominal pain due to pressure on the bladder. 

Upper UTI

• Apart from the symptoms of Lower UTI, it increases more signs that indicate the severity of the issue. 
• As the infection starts to spread in the upper region, it can cause high fever and chills. 
• Pain started to become severe in the ribs, and the intensity increased with sharp pain. 
• As the body’s immune system starts to respond to infection, it can lead to nausea and vomiting. 
• You may start to feel irritated and fatigued. 

Causes

Pre-existing conditions-

• Skenitis or urethral diverticulum: an infection in the skene glands or conditions like urethral diverticulum can lead to recurrent UTI. 
• Diabetes: high blood sugar creates an environment for bacteria to grow in the urine, and the immune system is unable to fight against those bacteria. Also, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) creates difficulty in emptying the bladder, allowing multiplication of bacteria. 
• Nonsecretor blood type: a person who doesn’t have A, B, and H antigens in their bodily fluids, like mucus and saliva. These work as a natural protector against bacteria, but a lack of these antigens increases the adherence of bacteria. Almost 20% of the indian population have non-secretor blood type and are most vulnerable to Urinary Tract Infection.
• Urinary tract issues- blockage of a structural problem in the urinary tract can hinder the flow of urine. 

Contributing factors-

• Women are most vulnerable because the urethra is shorter, and not maintaining personal hygiene increases the risk. 
• Not using a clean towel. 
• Sexual activity with multiple partners. 
• Holding urine for a longer period allows bacteria to grow. 
• Menopause decreases estrogen. 
• Birth control pills affect the vaginal flora and slow urine flow. 
• Using scented spray or powder in the vaginal area. 
• Pregnancy creates hormonal fluctuation, which sometimes causes infection.
• Using condoms coated in spermicide can irritate the urinary tract.  

Effective treatment

 

Antibiotics: 

Usually, doctors recommend medications for 3 days, and this can extend to 6 weeks. Popular antibiotics include fosfomycin, amoxicillin, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and nitrofurantoin. Make sure to consult with your gynecologist before taking any medication, especially if pregnant. 

If your is coming back over and over again, then healthcare providers usually lower the dose of antibiotics for a short time. Sometimes the body resists the antibiotics, and you can get other infections. Fluoroquinolones are highly recommended by gynecologist to their patients when they have complicated UTI or a kidney infection.

Diet:

Drinking plenty of water leads to frequent urination, which further helps to flush out bacteria. Make sure to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, as they potentially irritate the bladder. You can add cranberry juice or supplements to your diet, as these adhere to the lining of the urinary tract, which prevents bacteria.

Pain management: 

UTI is painful and comes with an irritated mood, fevers, and inflammation. To give relief from pain, ibuprofen or acetaminophen are some over-the-counter medications. But it’s best to take it after consulting with a doctor. You don’t know what medicine can react with your body and can increase symptoms.

Personal hygiene steps:

There are simple steps that you can adapt to prevent yourself from infection-

• Wash the urethra first, and use mild soap. Using products mentioned by the brand includes a lot of harsh chemicals, and you can only make your problem worse. 
• Make sure that your hands are clean before wiping the vaginal area, and if possible, take a bath after intercourse.
• All postmenopausal women, make sure to use vaginal estrogen (this must be recommended by your doctor).
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, as it keeps your bladder healthy and hydrated. 
• Probiotics (like curd) create a favourable environment for your reproductive area, and create good gut bacteria. 
• Always wash front to back, not the reverse position.
• Always wear breathable clothes to create a good environment, because it also helps in maintaining the pH level. 

Important note: most people don’t even know that urinating after intercourse is necessary. Unhygienic intercourse increases the risk of UTI by 43%. Urination flushes out the bacteria that can possibly enter the urethra during intercourse. But not practising this hygiene can definitely cause issues.

Follow-ups:

If you are experiencing frequent infections, then you should visit your gynecologist more often. Even post-treatment, follow-ups will let you know whether your UTI is completely resolved or not.

Avoid intense workouts:

If you are into workouts or daily physical activities, it is best to give yourself some time to relax. Because continuous activity or workout leads to sweat, and this can irritate the natural habitat of the vagina, increasing the time to heal from infection.  

Let’s Wrap it Up

If you suspect any sort of irritation or unnatural behavior of your vagina, then your body is indicating the need for immediate gynecological attention. Early diagnosis leads to early treatment, which further protects from complicated issues or recurring nightmares.

Always listen to your body- UTIs are common, but they should never be ignored. They are signs that your body is screaming for attention- listen carefully.

Aveya Fertility Centre promptly provides guidance to women. Rather than implementing home remedies, it is best to consult with expert who knows the female body better, and treatment problems at the core. Moreover, if you have any doubt related to UTI or any issue related to women, contact Aveya Fertility Centre. 

Book your appointment!