By Iris Farrou
27 Mar, 2023
Lifestyle Tips, Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Prevention, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Sexual health, Women's Health
Acute UTI, Aging and Painful Sex, Aging and UTIs, Am I going through menopause, Bladder Incontinence, Body Changes In Menopause, Easing the Symptoms of Menopause, Menopause, Pelvic Floor, Prevent urinary tract infection, Urinary Tract Infection, UTI
If you have a vagina, then you have possibly been warned about the dangers of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), and the ever-present danger that they may return and not leave you alone. Many women also report they get UTIs so often that they get used to the symptoms– so much so that they don’t realize they have an infection until it gets too bad. Because nobody likes more pain, or more health risks, let’s take a look at the three areas of the urinary tract that a UTI may affect, and the possible symptoms:
| Area |
Symptoms |
| Kidneys |
Nausea, vomiting, back/side pain, shaking and chills, high fever |
| Bladder |
Frequent and painful urination, blood in urine, pelvic pressure, lower belly discomfort |
| Urethra |
Unusual discharge, burning sensation during urination |
Did you know that UTIs are the most common bacterial infection in women over 65? Though young people certainly can suffer from a UTI, untreated UTIs in older women can lead to much more serious health issues, like kidney failure or sepsis. One reason for older women’s susceptibility to UTIs is the weakened muscles in the bladder and pelvic floor, causing incontinence or urinary retention. The longer the urine remains in the urinary tract, the higher the risk of bacterial multiplication.
Another reason why older women are at a higher risk for a UTI is because estrogen levels drop significantly after menopause. This can lead to an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina, heightening the risk of an infection. It is suggested that post menopausal women use vaginal estrogen creams, which can help support the presence of good bacteria. Drinking plenty of water and fluids, especially cranberry juice, can also help prevent infections.
No matter your age, to lessen the risk of a UTI you should also make sure you are wearing loose clothing, emptying your bladder often, wiping front to back, and always keep an eye out for possible symptoms if you have reason to be concerned. UTIs are usually treated with narrow-spectrum antibiotics, as those are more likely to be accepted by the body. In more advanced cases, UTI patients are hospitalized and receive IV antibiotics.
If you or a loved one use pads or adult diapers, you should make sure to change them often and clean the area well, pat dry, between uses. UTIs can be especially problematic for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, as they often cannot communicate their needs or state their symptoms. In those cases, the UTI may escalate to the point where the affected person starts acting erratically, more confused than usual, and even more disoriented. If those symptoms worsen, it is definitely advisable to have elderly female patients be treated by a doctor immediately.
https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/better-me/the-risk-of-utis-as-you-age
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
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If you’ve ever experienced the searing, burning, indescribable pain that is a urinary tract infection (UTI), then you certainly never want to experience one again. If you are among the lucky ones that have never experienced this painful health condition, count yourself among the fortunate. Regardless if you have experienced a UTI in the past or not, there are several steps that all women can take to stay healthy, and mitigate their risk of experiencing this unpleasant condition.
- Stay hydrated. Women should drink plenty of water throughout the day for a variety of health reasons, but staying hydrated can also be an effective prevention technique for preventing UTIs. Water helps to dilute your urine, and encourages you to urinate more frequently—two factors that help ensure that the bacteria that can cause a UTI is regularly flushed from your urinary tract. When you urinate, your urine should be a very pale yellow if you are drinking enough water.
- Hydrate after sex too. Also, be sure to drink a full glass of water after sex, and immediately empty your bladder after intercourse. These two practices will again help to flush unwanted bacteria out of your urinary tract.
- Wipe front to back. After a bowel movement, be sure to wipe from the front to the back, and never wipe twice with the same tissue. Following proper cleansing techniques can prevent pathogenic bacteria that originates in the anal region from spreading to your vagina and urethra, where it can cause a UTI.
- Carefully choose feminine products. Irritating feminine hygiene products, such as certain douches, powders, and deodorant sprays, can irritate your urethra, and lead to infection.
- Choose tampons over sanitary napkins. Unlike sanitary napkins or pads, tampons keep the bladder opening area drier, which limits the possibility of bacterial growth.
- Urinate frequently. Avoid long periods of time in between urinating. Aim to empty your bladder completely at least once every four hours during the day to mitigate the risk of bacterial build-up.
- Consider changing your birth control. If you use diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, these forms of birth control can put you at risk of bacterial growth that can cause a UTI.
- Wear loose clothing. Tight-fitting undergarments and non-breathable materials can encourage moisture build-up, which can lead to maceration of the skin and bacterial overgrowth. Choose breathable underwear to prevent contamination of the bladder opening area.
- Choose showers over baths. Avoid soaking in bathwater for prolonged periods of time. Bath water can become contaminated with skin florae as you bathe, and allow bacteria to reach the bladder opening area.
If you have any questions or concerns about your risk for developing a UTI, speak with your OBGYN. If you feel you may be experiencing UTI symptoms, be sure to contact your docotor immediately so that he or she can prescribe treatment and set you on the road to recovery.
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The feeling of having to go all the time can be frustrating and disruptive. There is no need to feel embarrassed or to feel like you need to hide your suffering. Feelings of frequent urination, or experiencing the sudden urge to urinate that you can’t control, also known as overactive bladder (OAB), is more common than you may realize. The Urology Care Foundation estimates that approximately 33 million Americans have overactive bladder, and that at least 40 percent of all women in the United States live with OAB symptoms. If you are suffering from OAB, know that you are not alone, and that there are solutions to help you manage your symptoms and start taking back control of your schedule.
The Causes of Frequent Urination
There are a variety of factors that could be causing your frequent urination in women, including:
- Type I or type II diabetes.
- Pregnancy.
- Stroke or other neurological diseases.
- A urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Bladder cancer.
- Bladder dysfunction.
- Radiation therapy.
- Interstitial cystitis, a condition characterized by pain in the bladder and pelvic region and frequent urination.
- The use of diuretics, which are medications used to treat high blood pressure or fluid buildup that often result in frequent urination.
The Causes of OAB
OAB occurs when the muscles of the bladder contract involuntarily even when the volume of urine in your bladder is low, creating an urgent need to urinate. Conditions that cause OAB include:
- Diuretic use.
- An acute UTI.
- Constipation.
- Excess consumption of caffeine or alcohol.
- Declining cognitive function due to aging.
- Incomplete bladder emptying.
- Difficulty walking which can lead to bladder urgency if you’re unable to get to the bathroom quickly.
- Bladder abnormalities including tumors or bladder stones.
- Neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, strokes, and multiple sclerosis.
- High urine production which may be the result of high fluid intake, poor kidney function or diabetes.
Treatment Options
Know that you do not need to suffer from frequent urination or OAB. Treating the underlying cause of your condition, such as diabetes or a UTI, will help to manage your symptoms. In addition, behavioral therapy treatment options for OAB include the following:
- Bladder retraining. Increasing the intervals between using the bathroom over a 12-week time period can help retrain your bladder to hold urine longer.
- Diet modification. Avoiding foods that may act as diuretics can reduce symptoms. Such foods include caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, tomato-based products, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and spicy foods. Eating high fiber foods can also alleviate symptoms of constipation, which can be a cause of OAB.
- Mange your fluids. Drink enough water to prevent constipation, but avoid drinking fluids right before bedtime.
- Kegel exercises. Strengthen the muscles around the bladder and urethra by exercising your pelvic muscles.
Whether you are suffering from frequent or accidental urination, talk to your doctor today. He or she can help you to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and together you can develop a treatment plan that will help you to take back control and manage your trips to the bathroom.
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