Have you ever heard of urinary tract infections or urine infections in men? Not really right. But urinary infections are more common in women than in men. There are reasons why women can be easily affected by urinary tract infections.
What is an urinary tract infection?
Urinary infections are a commonly reported health problem. At least 60% of the women tend to experience urinary tract infections at some point in their lives. A urinary tract infection is a condition that occurs when the skin near the vagina or the rectum area comes in contact with the bacteria. Usually in a year urinary infections may occur about 3 times in a year. Reach out to the best urine infection hospital in Coimbatore to seek immediate care to avoid any major complications of urinary infections.
What are the types of urinary tract infections?
There are two major kinds of urinary tract infections,
Lower urinary tract infection:
Lower urinary tract infections are often called cystitis. This type of infection occurs due to the bacteria present in the digestive system. The bacteria can travel through the anus and reach the rectum, causing lower urinary tract infection.
Upper urinary tract infection:
This type of infection can include both kidneys and ureters. This infection is referred to as kidney infection. This upper urinary tract infection may occur as the bacteria may travel from the bladder to the kidneys.
What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections?
Urinary tract infections can show few visible signs that help in detecting the infection:
- Frequent urination
- Strong urge to urinate
- Pain or tenderness in the bladder area
- Sharp pain while urinating
- Cloudy looking urine
- Foul smelling urine
Why are urinary infections common in females?
There are several reasons for frequent uti in women, and here are the major reasons,
The length of the urethra:
Female anatomy plays a major role, especially the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine through the bladder and out of the body. Although it helps in exiting the urine, it can also act as an entry for bacteria. The urethra in the females is shorter when compared to men. The length of the urethra in females is about 1-2 inches whereas in men it is about 6 inches. So when the rectum or the skin comes in contact with bacteria then the bacteria can easily travel to the urethra causing infection.
Sensitive skin:
Furthermore, the majority of the mucosa, referred to as the moist lining of the vagina, builds the external urethra in females. When compared to men, women’s skin near the vagina is more sensitive and thinner when compared to other parts of the body. At the same time, the urethral skin can be easily damaged. When the urethral skin is damaged or irritated, the bacteria can easily live on the irritated skin causing a deeper infection.
The position of urethra:
The fact that the female urethra is situated nearer the rectum, which contains bacteria like E. coli and waste materials, complicates the infection further. E. Coli is one of the primary causes of bladder infections.
Sexual contact:
Women’s anatomy also increases their risk of developing urinary tract infections after sexual contact. Bacteria close to the vagina can enter the urethra through sexual contact.
Menopause:
Menopause is associated with increased chances of developing urinary tract infections. The vaginal tissue in women becomes thinner and more susceptible to infection as you age, particularly as estrogen levels decrease during this period.
Pregnancy:
Additionally, urinary tract infections are more common in pregnant women. Serious infections can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. If you suspect you may have a UTI, it’s critical to contact a specialist to seek help for bladder infection relief.
What are the tips to prevent a urinary tract infection in women?
Although the urinary tract infections are quite common, there are a few tips that help in the prevention of urinary tract infections,
- While using tissues ensure to wipe from the back to front to avoid the spread of bacteria.
- Avoid using harmful feminine products.
- Avoid using dirty soap water to wash sensitive area
- Make sure to use the bathroom after sexual intercourse
- Drink a lot of water to urinate frequently as it helps in flushing out bacteria.
What are the risk factors of developing a urinary tract infection?
- A weakened immune system
- Previous urinary infections
- A heavy body weight
- Experiencing kidney stones
Is a urinary tract infection serious?
A UTI is usually not dangerous and is easily treatable. However, a UTI can occasionally be harmful. Cystitis, a UTI affecting the bladder, can spread to the kidneys (pyelonephritis) if it is not treated promptly or with the appropriate antibiotic. This infection is more severe and could require hospitalization. The kidneys may also experience long-term damage due to these infections.
Do urinary infections go away?
A direct UTI may clear up on its own, but it’s hard to say when this will happen. Because of this, medical professionals advise using antibiotics to treat UTIs as soon as symptoms appear.
When should you see a urinary tract infection specialist?
Urinary infections do not get resolved on their own in all cases, so it is important to seek medical treatment to get urinary infection treated. When to seek medical attention is as follows:
- The symptoms of urinary tract infection has worsened
- The symptoms don’t seem to improve
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
Important Takeaway:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect most women at some point in their lives. The bacteria that cause these infections are more likely to target female anatomy. Therefore, don’t hesitate to call your healthcare provider if you experience burning or a sense of urgency when you urinate. Although UTIs are common, they are easily treated; typically, a short course of antibiotics will be sufficient. Consult a urology specialist in Coimbatore to get advanced treatment and restore the quality of life.
