- Breast Self Exam
- Cervical Self Exam
- Fibrocyctic Breasts
- Health Care of the Vulva
- Menopause Information
- Prenatal Exercises
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Yeast Infections

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What is it?

A woman's urinary tract consists of her kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. (You can see the opening of the urethra in the middle of a puckered area just above the vagina.)  Any or all of these organs can become infected.  Bladder infections, also called "cystitis', are common in women.  Usually a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a minor infection and can be treated.  Nonetheless, it can be painful and scary. It is helpful to know the symptoms, causes and treatment of a UTI, as well as how it may be prevented.

Symptoms

Frequency of urination and burning with urination are the most common symptoms.  There may also be blood in the urine and lower abdominal discomfort.  Some women may feel a continuous need to urinate, but little comes out when they try.  Others may urinate involuntarily. 

Besides the symptoms listed, kidney infections can cause fever and chills, nausea or vomitting, and tenderness in the kidneys (at the middle of your back. Kidney infections can be dangerous and require immediate care as they can cause permanent damage if left untreated. 

Causes

UTIs are mostly caused by bacteria normally living in your rectum or on your skin that find their way into the urethra.  For women, this can simply be due to the close proximity of the urethral opening to the vagina and rectum.  Bacteria can also be pushed up into the urethra through sexual activity, or wiping after going to the bathroom.  Other contributing factors may be stress, pregnancy, hormonal changes accompanying menopause, inadequate diet, and low resistance to infection.

Diagnosis

A UTI can often be diagnosed just on the basis of your symptoms, a pelvic exam, and a test called a urinalysis.  You will be asked to give a urine sample, which will be examined for signs of bacteria and infection.  If UTIs are recurring (more than three in a year), or if the cause of infection is not clear, you may need to see a physician or specialist for further assessment.

Prevention

Some habits help prevent UTIs.  Wiping front to back after going to the bathroom prevents intestinal bacteria from being pushed into the urethra.  Drinking plenty of fluids and urinating when you need to keeps the urethra cleaned out and prevents urine from sitting too long in your bladder ( A full bladder is a great environment for bacteria to grow.)  It is a good idea to urinate both before and after sexual activity--including masturbation--to wash out any germs that may have been pushed into the urethra. Other preventative measures include:

• stopping sexual activity if it causes irritation or pain.

• making sure you have sufficient lubrication before intercourse (Note: if you use a lubricant, only use water soluble ones, as oil-based lubricants can aggravate symptoms.)

• removing a diaphragm as soon as possible (6-8 hours after intercourse).

• Diaphragm users who have frequent bladder infections should consider another birth control method.

• washing genitals with plain water every day, possibly even before and after intercourse (your partner too!).

• wearing cotton underpants and skirts or loose-fitting pants

• staying healthy by eating and resting well.