Urinary tract infections, or commonly known as UTIs or bladder infections, are a common occurrence, especially in females. There are measures you can take to decrease your chances of getting one.
Signs of a UTI:
- It burns when you urinate (pee).
- You always feel like you have to pee, but only a little bit of urine comes out each time.
- You have pain or aching in your lower back or lower belly.
- Your pee looks different - very dark or cloudy urine, or even red or pink.
- Your urine smells.
So you have symptoms, what do you do next?
- Be seen in urgent care or get seen in the clinic as soon as possible.
- Your healthcare provider will most likely collect a urine sample and prescribe you antibiotics.
- Make sure you take ALL of the antibiotic pills to ensure the infection is treated correctly and to prevent your body from forming resistance to antibiotics.
- Drink lots of (nonalcoholic) fluids.
- You may use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for discomfort.
- Phenazopyridine (Azo, Pyridium) are over-the-counter medications that soothe the lining of the urinary tract and may make you more comfortable until you are seen by your provider.
Now is not the time for home remedies, especially if you develop a fever, nausea or vomiting.
Fact or Myth: Drinking cranberry juice can help cure UTIs - MYTH! Once you have a UTI, the only thing that can cure it is antibiotics. There is some evidence that cranberry supplements or cranberry juice can help prevent UTIs, but they cannot cure them completely. Other preventative measures that can be tried include taking probiotics to increase your “good bacteria” and taking Vitamin C supplements to acidify your urine.
Ways to prevent UTIs:
- Stay hydrated.
- Pee after sex - or after introducing any foreign object to your genitals. Bacteria can crawl up your urinary tract during these acts and peeing helps to flush the bacteria out before they can get too far.
- Let your nether regions breathe! Wear loose-fitting underwear and pants to prevent a buildup of moisture.
- Proper wiping - always wipe front to back. E. Coli is often the culprit bacteria when it comes to UTIs, and E. Coli is a bacteria found in your poop. Bacteria can easily travel from your anus to urethra, and you don’t want to give them a free ride on your toilet paper.
- Keep it natural down there, stick to water and a mild soap.
- Bath lovers beware! If you love a nice soak and are prone to UTIs, try without bubbles, oils, or salts.
- Never spray perfumes or use heavily scented products near your genitals.
- If you are using spermicide (a cream used as a form of birth control) and are getting frequent UTIs, consider looking into different forms of birth control.
Need to see a provider? Call your clinic or make an appointment with a family medicine or women's health provider.