Urinary tract infection in women: symptoms to medication

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that attacks the urinary tract. Although everyone is at risk of experiencing it, urinary tract infections are more common in women than men. Why is that?

So, how do you prevent and treat UTIs in women? Come on, find the answer through the following reviews.

Why are women more susceptible to urinary tract infections?

It is estimated that women have 30 times more urinary tract infections than men. In fact, four out of 10 women who have a UTI will have at least one more time within six months.

Basically, this can happen because of the condition of the woman's own body. Women have a urethra (the last tube that passes urine out of the body) that is shorter than men, making it easier for bacteria to enter and move into the bladder.

Please note, urine itself does not contain bacteria. The bacteria that attack and cause a UTI are bacteria that live in the area around the vagina, rectum, and skin.

There are two types of urinary tract infections in women, namely upper and lower urinary tract infections. Lower urinary tract infection or cystitis attacks the urethra and bladder.

Usually the bacteria that is the main cause of this condition are E. coli bacteria which are abundant in the intestines which spread from the anus to the urethra and bladder.

Upper urinary tract infections involve the ureters, the tubes through which urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder, and the kidneys. This condition is called a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). Upper urinary tract infections occur due to bacteria moving from the bladder to the kidneys.

Women are more at risk for UTIs

In men, those with conditions such as kidney stones or benign prostate inflammation are more prone to a higher risk of UTIs. Whereas in women, urinary tract infections will be more susceptible to suffer with the following conditions.

• Sexually active. Penetrating movements can move bacteria from outside the vagina into the.
• Using contraceptives such as a diaphragm or spermicide. Spermicides on their own can kill the good bacteria that protect against UTIs.
• Is pregnant. Hormonal changes can make the vagina more moist, which will facilitate the proliferation of bacteria. In addition, the impulse from the baby who is being held above the bladder makes it difficult for pregnant women to pass urine.
• Has entered menopause. The reduction in the hormone estrogen makes the vaginal tissue thin and dry, which makes it easier for harmful bacteria to grow.
• Have diabetes. Diabetes can lower the immune system and make it easier for the body to become infected with diseases.
• Inserting the catheter. A catheter is a thin tube that is inserted through the urethra into the bladder, which is inserted when you can't urinate on your own, such as during surgery.

Symptoms of urinary tract infection in women

Whether you have a lower urinary tract infection or an upper urinary tract infection, some of the symptoms of a UTI in women that can be experienced include the following.

• Feeling fickle or often feel like you're dying and urinating more often.
• Pain in the area around the bladder when urinating.
• Urine is cloudy and has a pungent odor.
• Fever, more occurs when the infection has reached the kidneys.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pain in the side or middle back upward.
• Urine contains blood.

In older women, urinary tract infections can also cause symptoms of extreme fatigue. If you have experienced it, you should immediately consult a doctor to confirm your condition.

Treatment of urinary tract infections in adult women

Urinary tract infections in women need to be treated as soon as possible. Because if not, the infection will develop into chronic and cause complications. So, immediately consult a doctor to get treatment.

Some types of urinary tract infection drugs that your doctor may prescribe include the following.

1. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are a type of drug that is widely prescribed to treat urinary tract infections in women. Even if the symptoms of the infection have subsided, it is still imperative that you finish the remaining antibiotics so that the infection does not recur.

2. Estrogen

For postmenopausal women, giving estrogen can help strengthen vaginal tissue, increasing the growth of good bacteria Lactobacillus, and reduce vaginal pH. This is very useful for reducing the growth of bad bacteria that can infect the vagina.

3. Suppressive therapy

If you have had repeated urinary tract infections, your doctor may prescribe a low dose of antibiotics for six months. As for severe infections, the doctor will usually recommend that the drug be continued for up to five years while continuing to consult with the doctor.

If a woman's urinary tract infection is caused by unprotected sex, the doctor may perform suppressive therapy. Therefore, consult your disease regularly to the doctor to monitor its progress.

4. Pain relievers

This type of drug phenazopyridine can help relieve symptoms of urinary tract infections in the form of pain and a burning sensation when urinating. The side effect of this drug can make the urine turn reddish-orange or brown in color. So, don't worry if your urine color changes suddenly because it is a natural thing to happen.

How to prevent urinary tract infections in women

Preventive action will certainly be far better than cure. Therefore, take the following effective ways to prevent UTIs in women.

1. Drink a lot of water. In order not to get susceptible to urinary tract infections, make sure you are meeting your fluid needs every day. A well hydrated body will more easily remove bacteria from the urinary tract when urinating.
2. Keep your vagina clean. When urinating, clean the vaginal area from front to back to prevent the transfer of anal bacteria to the vagina. In addition, urinate immediately after sex to flush out any bacteria that may remain in the vagina.
3. Take cranberry juice or supplements. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidin, a polyphenol compound that can prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. Drink a glass of pure cranberry juice every day or replace it with a supplement if you don't like the sour taste.
4. Probiotics. For those of you who have had previous urinary tract infections, consumption of probiotics can help prevent recurrent infections. Choose yogurt or kefir that contains good probiotics to maintain the health of your urinary tract.