Recurrent UTIs in Women: Causes and Long-term Solutions
Introduction:
Women are prone to frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), and one of the major issues with repeated UTIs is the disruption it causes in women’s everyday life. UTIs are characterized by a frequent and urgent need to urinate, burning sensation while urination, and pain in the pelvic region.
Women who experience frequent UTIs often visit practitioners to understand the cause of the frequent infections and the available options for long-term management to prevent recurrence.
One of the main goals of management of recurrent UTIs is to lessen the number of infections women experience. Some of the measures to achieve this include identifying the risk factors and infection triggers, providing treatment, and devising an individualized plan to prevent infection. Healthcare practitioners specializing in urinary infections are best placed to provide management for women with recurrent urinary infections.
Regal Hospital is a full-service tertiary care hospital with multiple specialties, including urology, nephrology, and emergency care. The hospital serves patients living in North Bangalore and other surrounding areas, including Thanisandra, Hennur, Yelahanka, Hebbal, and Tirumanahalli.
What is a recurrent UTI?
The urinary tract comprises the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The urethra is the exit point of the urinary tract and is where a urinary infection starts. When an infection occurs in the bladder, it is referred to as cystitis.
Recurrent UTIs are defined as three or more UTI episodes in a 12-month period. The 2016 version of the American Urological Association (AUA) guideline on the management of uncomplicated cystitis focused on the importance of an accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.
Symptoms
The following are common symptoms of a UTI:
Burning or Painful Urination
Frequent Urination
Small Urine Volume
Lower Abdominal or Pelvic Pain
Cloudy or Bad-Smelling Urine
Blood in the Urine
It is important to understand that symptoms of a UTI may be similar to other pelvic conditions and require further medical evaluation.
Causes
Factors that predispose a patient to recurrent UTIs may include:
Sexual Intercourse
Hormonal Changes of Menopause
Incomplete Emptying of the Bladder
Certain Contraceptive Methods
Women that experience UTIs after sexual intercourse or with other predisposing factors may be assessed and treated by their healthcare professional.
What Other Medical Problems Could Cause Frequent or Recurrent Infections?
There are numerous medical conditions that predispose to frequent and/or recurrent urinary tract infections. Some of these include:
Abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract
Urinary obstructions and/or abnormalities
Urinary stones
Other medical conditions and diabetes
What other evaluation by a urologist is appropriate for females with frequent UTIs?
When Should a UTI Be Managed as An Emergent Condition?
Although the majority of UTIs do not involve the kidneys, a few signs and symptoms can indicate a possible kidney infection. These include:
Fever and/or chills
Nausea and/or vomiting
Pain in your side and/or back
Feeling weak and/or uncomfortable
Blood in your urine
Urine blockage (obstructive uropathy)
Infection of the kidney (pyelonephritis) can cause fever and chills and should be treated as an emergency condition.
People with emergency conditions may need to be hospitalized and treated with an IV (intravenous) antibiotic.
How Are Urinary Infections Diagnosed?
Before giving repeated antibiotic therapies, other reasons for the urinary symptoms should be found and treated.
The healthcare professional may:
Ask about your symptoms, including how often you get the infections.
Ask when you get the infections, relating to your menstrual cycle or other medical conditions.
Ask about your previous medical conditions and if the infections happen after sexual intercourse.
Ask about your medical conditions and what medicines you are taking
Do a urine test to see if there are any infections.
Do a culture test of your urine to see what type of infection you have and what type of antibiotic to give you.
Additional Tests
Just because a woman has recurrent UTIs doesn’t mean that a healthcare professional will order several diagnostic tests. The decision to order additional tests is made on a case-by-case basis. If a woman’s medical history, signs, and symptoms suggest an abnormality of the urinary tract, then additional tests are warranted. Imaging studies can be ordered to further evaluate repeated UTIs and associated urinary symptoms.
Treatment of Recurrent UTIs
The treatment of a woman with recurrent UTIs in Bangalore will depend on several factors, including the woman’s medical condition, the severity of the infection, the type of bacteria causing the infection, and the woman’s previous medical conditions and therapies.
Appropriate Use of Antibiotics
If a woman is determined to have a bacterial UTI, then the infection will be treated with an appropriate course of antibiotics. If a woman presents to her healthcare provider with UTI symptoms and the provider orders a urine test to check for an infection and the test is positive, then antibiotics will be prescribed. If a woman has a positive test for a UTI, and the test was done a while ago, the woman should understand that antibiotics will not be prescribed, as the test is no longer relevant. Antibiotics should not be saved for later use.
Other Options
If a woman has UTIs due to an underlying condition, then the treatment for that condition will address the UTIs, as well. If a condition is determined to put a woman at risk for UTIs, then treating that condition will decrease the risk of future UTIs. If a condition is determined to put a woman at risk for UTIs, and other preventative measures are not effective, then preventative antibiotics may be considered. Other preventative measures should be implemented only after a complete medical evaluation.
Habits to Help Prevent UTIs
To help prevent UTIs, you can practice the following:
Drink adequate amounts of fluid unless your doctor has told you to limit your fluid intake.
Avoid holding urine for long periods of time.
Empty your bladder completely.
When using the toilet, clean yourself from front to back.
Talk to your doctor if you have frequent infections and if you think they may be related to your sexual activity.
Discuss other medical concerns you may have regarding your frequent infections.
Take your treatment for an infection, if you have one, exactly as prescribed.
It’s not 100% certain that practicing these habits will prevent a UTI, but it may reduce your risk.
Cranberry Products
Cranberry products have a high likelihood of being used for UTI prevention. However, there is not enough evidence to say that products containing cranberries should be substituted for medical help and advice. Cranberry products contain very few, if any, side effects. Still, it may interact with other medications you take, and you should take that into account when deciding to take cranberry products.
Will My UTIs Ever Go Away?
It is difficult to completely get rid of your risks for UTIs. The best medical approach is to completely treat an infection and reduce the risks for additional infections. Some people may see a significant reduction in their UTIs by eliminating certain habits that increase their risk. Others may need to eliminate certain habits, as well as use additional preventative measures to reduce their risk.
It is always best to see a doctor for a full evaluation if you notice symptoms of UTIs returning.
Regal Hospital’s Approach to Treating Repeated UTIs in Bangalore
Regal Hospital is a multi-specialty facility and advanced center for kidney care in Bangalore. Our range of specialties includes urology and nephrology, as well as emergency care.
Women who experience repeated urinary infections and/or symptoms that do not improve with treatment need to be evaluated by a urologist.
The urology team at Regal Hospital offers expert evaluation for patients from North Bangalore (including Thanisandra, Hennur, Yelahanka, Hebbal, Tirumanahalli, and surrounding areas).
Regal Hospital offers a variety of kidney-related services (urology/nephrology), including biopsy, transplant, and dialysis. In addition, we provide emergency care and all other multi-specialty support.
If you are experiencing symptoms of repeated urinary infections and do not wish to endlessly visit your doctor for treatment, you should visit us for an evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Recurrent UTIs
What is considered recurrent UTI?
Recurrent UTI is defined as multiple UTI infections over a given period. This can vary by individual and is best determined by a urologist.
Why do I get UTIs despite treatment?
There can be several reasons for reinfection, but there can also be underlying conditions that increase your risk for UTIs. Hormonal changes can also affect your risk.
Can I stop getting UTIs?
There are several things that can be done to manage and reduce your risk of UTIs, and there may also be preventive measures available to you.
- When should I see a female urology specialist?
Consider seeing a specialist if, despite treatment, UTIs keep occurring and/or there is a presence of blood in the urine. Additionally, concerns for the inability to completely empty the bladder and/or other abnormalities of the urinary tract would also indicate the need for a specialist evaluation.
- Can UTIs lead to kidney infections?
Yes. Infected bladder tissue can lead to kidney tissue infection. Infected tissue of the bladder can lead to an infected tissue of the kidney. Fever and/or chills can also indicate an infection. If you have any of the previously mentioned symptoms, consult a doctor.
Women should especially seek out the care of a medical professional if they have had multiple UTIs. UTIs are considered to be one of the most common types of infections, but recurrent UTIs should not be accepted as normal. There are several potential causes for UTIs. Finding the cause for your UTIs can help stop UTIs from occurring in the future.
You should see a medical professional if you experience any of the previously mentioned symptoms.
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Visit us: Near Thanisandra-Yelahanka Road, Bengaluru
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