Urinary Tract Infections: Your Questions Answered

Most people will contract a urinary tract infection at some point in their lives, but what can you do to spot the signs and prevent them? Here are some of the answers to the most common questions regards UTIs.

How do you get a urinary tract infection?

An infection in the urinary tract is most commonly caused by bacteria in the digestive tract which is spread to the urethra, which then travels up the urinary tract to the bladder and sometimes the kidneys. It can also be caused by bacteria and microorganisms which are transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Does having a urine infection mean you can’t get another one again?

This isn’t true; in fact, once you get one, you’re more susceptible to them later on. Nearly 20 per cent of women who get a urinary tract infection get another one later in life, and 30 per cent of those who have had two will get a third. Around 80 per cent of those who’ve had three will have a fourth, and four out of five women get another infections within 18 months of the last one.

How can you tell if you have an infection?

There are a number of symptoms to urinary tract infections, including frequent and urgent needs to urinate, but not making it to the toilet in time; a painful burning sensation when you urinate; cloudy or reddish-coloured urine; urine that has a strong smell, and soreness in the lower back or side. If you have a fever, nausea, vomiting or back pain accompanying your symptoms, you may well have a kidney infection. You should speak to your GP if you have symptoms as they can prescribe medication to clear the infection.

If the infection seems to have cleared, do I need to finish my medication?

Yes, you always need to finish the course of medication you’ve been prescribed. Sometimes the symptoms seem to have disappeared, but the bacteria will still be in your system so you need to finish the antibiotics to clear in. Even if the symptoms don’t appear straight away, you will be at an increased risk of another infection very quickly.

Are urinary tract infections harmful to pregnant women?

If the infection is caught and treated early, then it isn’t generally of any harm. However, pregnant women are more likely to find that the infection spreads to their kidneys which can cause kidney damage, high blood pressure and an increased risk of premature delivery. If you suspect you have an infection and you’re pregnant, you should speak to your GP as soon as possible.

Is drinking cranberry juice a good way to prevent an infection or is that an old wives’ tale?

Cranberry juice and vitamin C make your urine more acidic, which makes it more difficult for bacteria to thrive. Cranberry juice also have a unique factor which prevents bacteria from adhering to the bladder surface, so it can be useful in preventing the infection from growing.

Why do some people get regular infections?

Some women are more prone to infections than others because the cells in the vaginal areas make it easier for bacteria to invade. If you’re menopausal, you’re also at an increased risk because of the thinning tissues covering the urethra make this area less resistant to bacteria. Irritation from sex, tampons, douching or feminine deodorants can also give bacteria a chance to grow. Practicing good feminine hygiene can help limit the bacteria from spreading, along with drinking plenty of water and urinating when you need to rather than waiting.

Categories: Bacteria, cranberry juice, increased risk, infection, Pregnant Women, question, Symptoms, tract, Tract Infection, tract infections, urinary tract, urine infection

Why Do Women Get Lower Abdominal Pain?

Generally, lower abdominal pain is attributed to period pain, but this isn’t the only cause of it. Often, it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose the reason for abdominal pain as there are various causes for it, but keeping a note of your symptoms will help narrow down the reasons for this problem. The most common causes are urinary complaints, such as bladder or kidney problems, bowel problems or issues with the reproductive system – most commonly, the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes. The type of pain you have will make diagnosing the problem far easier. For example. if you have an urine infection then you will experience a burning sensation when you go to the toilet, as well as a need to urinate more often. This infection can spread to the kidneys which will lead to lower back pain and a high temperature. If you have pain that spreads from your lower back to your groin, and is particularly painful, you may have kidney stones which can be tested with a urine sample. If you have blood in your urine, this could be particularly serious, so you should seek advice from your GP if you notice this. Bowel problems commonly give you abdominal problem as well, with both diarrhoea and constipation giving a ‘colicky’ pain – this means that it comes and goes in waves. Common symptoms of this particular problem include bloating or swelling of the stomach, as well as people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome finding their bowel movements switch between diarrhoea and constipation.

 

If you have problems with your womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries, these can also cause lower abdominal problems. Where the pain is will determine which area of your body you’re experiencing problems – if the pain is to the side of your lower abdomen, it may be your ovaries. A condition known as dysmenorrhoea can make pain worse during your period, and some conditions lead to pain during intercourse – this is known as dyspareunia and should be referred to your GP. Other conditions which lead to pain in this area can include ovarian cysts, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and complications with the early stages of pregnancy, such as miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Some sexually transmitted diseases also cause pain in the pelvic area, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea – you may experience pain when urinating, groin pain or bleeding between periods, but some sexually transmitted diseases don’t display symptoms, so regular check-ups are advised if you’re sexually active.

 

Pain during sex can sometimes lead to lower abdominal pain, and there are various causes for this. For example, vaginal infections can lead to pain, as well as a lack of lubrication – both lubricants and sexual therapy can help with this problem. Vulvodynia is a chronic pain which emanates from the vaginal opening, though researchers are unsure what causes it. The symptoms include a recurring pain which is often described as a burning, stinging or throbbing sensation. This problem can be made worse from having sex or riding a bike, as it puts pressure on the affected area. This condition isn’t caused by an infection, so other causes of vulvar pain will need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of vulvodynia can be made. There are a number of treatments available, including medication and physiotherapy. While there are a number of causes of lower abdominal pain, if you experience such a problem then you should seek medical advice as soon as possible to rule out any serious health concerns. Your GP will be able to run tests to determine what the cause of the pain is, and offer treatments accordingly.

Categories: abdomen, stomach pain, urine infection

Why Do Women Get Lower Abdominal Pain?

Generally, lower abdominal pain is attributed to period pain, but this isn’t the only cause of it. Often, it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose the reason for abdominal pain as there are various causes for it, but keeping a note of your symptoms will help narrow down the reasons for this problem. The most common causes are urinary complaints, such as bladder or kidney problems, bowel problems or issues with the reproductive system – most commonly, the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes. The type of pain you have will make diagnosing the problem far easier. For example. if you have an urine infection then you will experience a burning sensation when you go to the toilet, as well as a need to urinate more often. This infection can spread to the kidneys which will lead to lower back pain and a high temperature. If you have pain that spreads from your lower back to your groin, and is particularly painful, you may have kidney stones which can be tested with a urine sample. If you have blood in your urine, this could be particularly serious, so you should seek advice from your GP if you notice this. Bowel problems commonly give you abdominal problem as well, with both diarrhoea and constipation giving a ‘colicky’ pain – this means that it comes and goes in waves. Common symptoms of this particular problem include bloating or swelling of the stomach, as well as people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome finding their bowel movements switch between diarrhoea and constipation.

 

If you have problems with your womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries, these can also cause lower abdominal problems. Where the pain is will determine which area of your body you’re experiencing problems – if the pain is to the side of your lower abdomen, it may be your ovaries. A condition known as dysmenorrhoea can make pain worse during your period, and some conditions lead to pain during intercourse – this is known as dyspareunia and should be referred to your GP. Other conditions which lead to pain in this area can include ovarian cysts, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and complications with the early stages of pregnancy, such as miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Some sexually transmitted diseases also cause pain in the pelvic area, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea – you may experience pain when urinating, groin pain or bleeding between periods, but some sexually transmitted diseases don’t display symptoms, so regular check-ups are advised if you’re sexually active.

 

Pain during sex can sometimes lead to lower abdominal pain, and there are various causes for this. For example, vaginal infections can lead to pain, as well as a lack of lubrication – both lubricants and sexual therapy can help with this problem. Vulvodynia is a chronic pain which emanates from the vaginal opening, though researchers are unsure what causes it. The symptoms include a recurring pain which is often described as a burning, stinging or throbbing sensation. This problem can be made worse from having sex or riding a bike, as it puts pressure on the affected area. This condition isn’t caused by an infection, so other causes of vulvar pain will need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of vulvodynia can be made. There are a number of treatments available, including medication and physiotherapy. While there are a number of causes of lower abdominal pain, if you experience such a problem then you should seek medical advice as soon as possible to rule out any serious health concerns. Your GP will be able to run tests to determine what the cause of the pain is, and offer treatments accordingly.

Categories: abdomen, stomach pain, urine infection