Recurring UTIs or Urinary Tract Infections is a common issue addressed by family doctors and urologists nationwide. It is so common that studies show that one in every three women will have at least one UTI by the age of 24. Of those, 27% will have at least one recurrence. This means that recurring UTIs are an issue you might be living with already. Keep in mind that men can also suffer from UTIs, although it’s more common in women. Thankfully, treatment options and effective, relatively easy ways to deal with this condition are available. Read on to learn more about UTIs, the causes related to this condition, possible treatment options, and even learn some strategies to prevent them from recurring:
Causes and Risk Factors of Recurring UTIs
Recurring UTIs are often the result of E. coli bacteria getting into the urinary tract. This bacterium originates in the rectum. In some cases, sexual activity can introduce this bacterium into the urinary tract. In other situations, it can be caused by the use of spermicide, being in or post-menopause, or having a large bladder prolapse. Other risk factors include:
- Urinary incontinence.
- History of UTIs when you were premenopausal.
- Structural abnormalities or blockages within the urinary system.
- Urinary tract stones.
- Faulty valve in the ureter.
- Using catheters.
- Conditions that suppress the immune system, like diabetes or kidney failure.
Treatment Options for Recurring UTIs
After your UTI frequency is deemed frequent or recurring, which is defined as having more than two acute UTIs over a few months or having three within one year, the next step is specialized treatment. While the initial approach to a single UTI is medication like Cephalexin, Trimethoprim, Ceftriaxone, Fosfomycin, and more. The treatment options for recurring instances of UTIs are a bit different and could include:
- Low-dose antibiotics that you can keep taking for six months or longer.
- Self-diagnosing and then communicating with your doctor to get treatment when you know what’s going on, thanks to past experience.
- Taking a dose of antibiotics after sex. This is specifically used if it is determined that your recurrence is due to sexual activity.
- Vaginal estrogen therapy after menopause.
Prevention of Recurring UTIs
The following are some strategies you can implement to reduce your risk of experiencing UTIs in the first place and hopefully reduce your risk of recurrence if you are diagnosed with one:
- Drink Plenty of Fluids: Bladder tissue should be healthy and hydrated to dilute the urine’s concentration of bacteria within the bladder. Therefore, it’s immensely important for you to drink lots of fluids, especially water, to prevent these types of infections from occurring.
- Urinate Soon After Intercourse: After the act of intercourse, make sure you urinate as soon as possible. This will remove some bacteria that can get into the urethra and lead to an infection.
- Empty Your Bladder Frequently: Do not hold your bladder for long periods, and empty it regularly if possible. Ideally, on average, you should expect to empty your bladder between four and eight times each day.
- Consider Cranberry Supplements: While there is no proven correlation between UTIs and cranberry, there is a biological mechanism within cranberries that can make them helpful in preventing infections. Therefore, taking cranberry supplements, a highly concentrated form of cranberry can be helpful.
Fight Back Against Recurring UTIs
If you are one of the many people who deal with recurring UTIs regularly, you will be happy to learn about our services at WebDoctors. Our online service allows you to get the help you need for your UTIs, including medication, all from the comfort of your home. You can consult a doctor through our service and fight back against the dangers that can come from these recurring infections.
