Haunted by Urinary Tract Infections? Here’s How to Fight Back
If the thought of suffering through another painful UTI frightens you more than the worst horror movie, you’re NOT alone.
Millions of women suffer from UTIs. In fact, 50 to 60 percent of us will have at least one painful infection at some point. And 1 in 5 of us will struggle with chronic or recurring infections that just won’t leave us alone.
It’s a terrifying prospect. But with knowledge on your side, you can take control. The first step is unmasking the patterns that can lead to UTIs.
What’s lurking in your urinary system?
UTIs are caused by uropathogens — tiny villains that enter through your urethra and travel upward to your bladder and sometimes, your kidneys.
Wondering exactly how your urinary system works? Download our FREE eBook for a look inside.
By far, the worst of these bad guys is Escherichia coli, a bacterium that causes up to 90% of all UTIs. This microbe lives by the billions in your lower intestine and each time you poop, there’s a chance that some will enter your urinary tract.
But don’t blame yourself! Even if you carefully wipe from front to back and practice good overall hygiene, your anal area is so close to your urethra that at least some bacteria will get inside.
Could there be more than one bacteria causing my UTI?
One effective defense against infection is drinking lots of water, which creates a healthy flow of urine to flush microbes out. This reduces the chances that E. coli and other shady characters will colonize your system, leading to a UTI.
However, there are times when even this healthful habit won’t do the trick. We now know that E. coli sometimes has a co-conspirator, Gardnerella vaginalis, a bacterium that lives in the vaginal area. Recent studies show this organism can damage the bladder lining, making it easier for E. coli and other bacteria to take over. Scientists say this might explain how bacteria from an earlier infection can regrow, triggering a new UTI.
The vicious cycle that can keep infections going
It turns out that bacteria aren’t the only culprits. Thanks to ongoing research, we know that up to 7% of all UTIs are caused by a fungus (or yeast) known as Candida. Very much like E. coli, Candida can enter the urinary tract system and grow rapidly, triggering an infection. And unfortunately, some yeast infections can feel like a UTI.
Weirdly, the broad-spectrum antibiotics we often use to treat UTIs can set us up for even more infections! This is because they clear out many of the healthy microbes in our systems that keep bacteria and fungi under control. When the microbiome in our urinary tract is upset, chronic and recurring UTIs can result. (Learn more about this vicious cycle here.)
Help! How can I fight back?
First, embrace the basics of urinary health. These are the everyday steps that help keep your system cleansed and balanced.
Always wipe from front to back
Drink lots of water every day
Don’t delay using the bathroom
Avoid tight clothing that traps bacteria
Wear breathable underwear (preferably cotton)
Always pee after sex to flush your system clean
Build a healthy microbiome with probiotics and supplements
The second step is creating a good partnership with your doctor. If you are dealing with a chronic UTI — one that drags on for weeks, even after standard treatment — you will need a new approach. This is also true if you’re experiencing recurring infections (2 or more UTIs within 6 months or more than 3 UTIs per year).
Talk to your doctor about modern tests that can detect a wider spectrum of pathogens. This can help your medical team come up with a more targeted, effective therapy that gets at the root cause of your infection. These tests can help assure you’re taking the right medications while taking steps to prevent overuse of others, possibly leading to drug resistance.
At MyUTI, we believe knowledge is power. That’s why we’re constantly offering new resources to help you learn about your body and the latest in testing and prevention strategies.
