Urinary tract infection in women is one of the most common infection. The infection is associated with the urinary system, containing kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The urinary system is divided into the two parts including the upper urinary tract and the lower urinary tract. The kidneys and the ureters are the part of the upper urinary tract, while the bladder and the urethra are the part of the lower urinary tract.
(People Also Like To Read: Common Infections May Double The Risk of Stroke or Heart Disease Than Obesity: Study)
Most urinary tract infection in women is caused by bacteria, there are some other causes as well like fungi and viruses that can lead to UTI, but these causes occurs rarely.
There is a large number of women who visit doctor frequently due to this problem. If you ever had UTI then you definitely wants to know the ways to prevent it, so that it can not effect your life.
Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection in Women:
Here is the list of 9 best ways to prevent urinary tract infection in women:
1. Drink Plenty of Water
Water helps in cleaning urinary tract system, so make sure that you drink at least six glasses of plain water daily. Other fluids can also use to encourage urination but try to exclude caffeine and alcohol, these can lead to irritation in the bladder.
2. Wipe From Front to Back
Make a good hygiene practice, as a woman always wipes from front to back only, especially after a bowel movement. It’s a better way to prevent entering the bacteria to the vagina.
3. Urinate Frequently.
The most common advice to prevent UTI is don’t hold your pee. Holding pee can help bacteria to develop into a full urinary tract infection.
4. Take Showers Instead of Baths
Always Prefer shower, it helps to prevent bacteria from entering the urinary tract and causing a UTI, while baths do not.
5. Urinate and Wash Immediately Before and After Intercourse
Washing will help prevent transmitting bacteria to the vaginal area after intercourse. Urinating will clean out the bacteria that can be hidden in the bladder before intercourse or they can be introduced during intercourse.
6. Don’t Use Feminine Deodorants
These feminine deodorants sprays can irritate your private parts and increase the risk of urinary tract infection.
7. Wear Cotton Underwear
Always wear cotton panties. Cotton fabric lets moisture to move out while other fabrics don’t. Also, try to avoid tight-fitting clothing and pantyhose.
8. Avoid Vaginal Dryness
Use a water-based lubricant while having intercourse if you are prone to vaginal dryness. It can help you to reduce dryness and risk of a urinary tract infection.
9. Get Help for Recurrent UTI.
If you are one of the of women who have frequent urinary tract infection, then discuss with your doctor for taking an antibiotic immediately after intercourse.
(You Might Also Like To Read: Do You Know Chocolate Increases Risk of Kidney Stone)
What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection in Women?
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection depend on what part of the urinary tract is infected.
Urethra and bladder are affected if lower tract UTIs occurs. The symptoms of a lower tract UTI are:
- Burning with urination
- Increased frequency of urination and difficulty in passing it.
- Urgency of urination
- Bloody urine
- Cloudy urine
- Dark color urine like cola or tea
- Urine with a strong odor
- Rectal pain in men
Kidneys are affected if you have upper tract UTIs. It can be even life-threatening if bacteria move from kidney to blood.
Here are the symptoms of upper tract infections:
- Pain and tenderness in the upper back
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
What are Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infection In Women?
Urinary tract infections are very common in women, and many women experience it more than one during their lifetime. Risk factors for UTI in women are:
Female Anatomy
A woman has a shorter urethra, which reduces the distance which makes easy to bacteria to reach the bladder.
Certain Types of Birth Control
Women who use diaphragms for birth control may be at higher risk of UTI.
Menopause
After menopause, a decrease in estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract that make you prone to infection.
Conclusion
Well, here we have discussed simple ways to prevent urinary tract infection in women along with its causes and symptoms. The best way to prevent UTI in women is to maintain hygiene especially if you are using any public or common toilet either in your office or ant other places. If still you get urinary tract infection then consult with your doctor and take proper medication prescribed by the doctor. It will help you soon to get rid of this infection.
(People Also Like To Read: Prostatitis- Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, and Treatment)
