The answers you need

Up to 30% of UTIs are caused by multiple bacteria. One in five women will have a recurrent UTI, and a persistent UTI in men is usually a sign of obstruction.

A chronic UTI is a prolonged and persistent UTI that may be caused by embedded bacteria, or READ MORE about biofilms, in the urinary tract that does not respond to antibiotic treatment. A recurrent bladder infection is when a UTI occurs more than twice in six months or three or more times in one year.  BOTH are very frustrating and can be painful.

Each bladder infection should be confirmed from a urine-based laboratory test. In many cases, a “urine culture” is ordered for confirmation of infection (required identification of the bacteria causing the infection) along with the antibiotic which will be appropriate to clear the infection. Culture testing does have limitations, as it was built to identify ONLY a single fast-growing bacterium (such as E. coli).

Newer technology, like the MyUTI Test, with more advanced capabilities identifying multiple organisms and a specific drug resistance occurring in your recurrent infection may be more appropriate. Some urology practices have advanced testing for this exact reason, the problem is the limited access and availability of these specialists.

First, it is good to understand that urine is not sterile. Studies over the last 10 years have demonstrated that the bladder environment, known as the bladder microbiome, does have bacteria even in healthy individuals with no symptoms. The bladder is similar to a self-cleaning oven, as long as there is enough urine production and no blockage then the system is flushed clean.

It is frustrating to follow clinical instructions such as drinking more water and taking the prescribed antibiotics, and yet the UTI returns a few weeks or months later. The causes of this reinfection may due to a number of risk factors: an imbalance of the “good” and “bad” bacteria in the urinary tract, exposure to too many antibiotics or the wrong antibiotic being prescribed due to drug resistant bacteria, as well as from bacteria that normally lives in the gastrointestinal tract or vagina.

For women, studies have shown that 80% of recurrent UTIs are caused by the reinfection of the same organisms, which remain in the urinary tract and continue to grow even after a course of antibiotics.

There are also a number of health conditions that result in recurrent or chronic urinary tract infections (Such as Lyme disease). Individuals with diabetes, incontinence, or immunosuppression treatment can all impact bladder health.

Women, in particular, are at risk for chronic UTIs thanks to a host of life events such as menopause and sexual activity or previous pelvic surgeries, incontinence, or a condition called interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome.  In men, a persistent UTI may be due to anatomical abnormalities from aging, or an enlarged or infected prostate known as prostatitis.

You may have come across at-home UTI test strips in local pharmacies. These tests, similar to the urine dipstick performed at a doctor’s office, are designed to provide quick identification of a bacterial UTI. While these tests may seem convenient, it has been shown that UTI test strips are unreliable and are not appropriate as confirmatory testing for a UTI. **Also the American Urological Association DOES NOT recommend using for diagnosing a urinary tract infection.

Scheduling an appointment with the doctor’s office every time you get a UTI is inconvenient and frustrating! While antibiotics are the best way to rid your body of a urinary tract infection, there are ways to treat or alleviate symptoms of a bladder infection at home.

For women with recurrent UTIs, a diagnostic test is needed to identify the root cause of the infection. Individuals with repeat infections, have a high risk of having a drug-resistance, due to the constant antibiotic exposure.

For people experiencing multiple bladder infections in a year, the MyUTI Test may be a good option.

Today, modern testing exists that allows clinicians to take a deeper look at the most common urinary pathogens causing bladder infection symptoms. The information provides a more comprehensive look at what bacteria or fungus may be causing your urinary tract infection and if you may have a drug resistant bacteria.

For more information on testing available, check out the MyUTI e-book. Available for FREE download!