Did you know, the risk of a woman contracting a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) at least once in her life is more than 50%? Women are more susceptible to UTIs than men, but with proper medical attention, they can often be prevented or treated. For National Women’s Health Week, Rio Grande Urology is here to help you understand the most common symptoms and what you can to do prevent UTIs.
Prevention starts by taking care of your urological health; it’s important to know the early symptoms of a UTI so you can start treating it right away. Urinary tract infections may progress if not treated in a timely manner. If you notice the following signs, you may have a urinary tract infection.
Common Signs of a Urinary Tract Infection
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Feeling a burning sensation when urinating
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting
If you’re having these symptoms, contact RGU right away to schedule an appointment for treatment. Your physician will likely prescribe antibiotics. For some women, UTIs are a more common occurrence. If this is the case for you, let your physician know so they can recommend other treatment and prevention options as needed.
The most important thing to remember — don’t wait to get treatment for a UTI. Left untreated for too long, it can lead to more serious infections or complications.
Ways to Prevent UTIs
No one wants to deal with the discomfort of a UTI, so don’t wait until you have signs of one to start taking preventive measures. The following steps can help you avoid or minimize the number of UTIs you experience:
- Drink more fluids, particularly water. If you are prone to UTIs, minimizing or avoiding caffeinated drinks can help. Cranberry juice is frequently recommended as well. Though the impact of cranberry juice has not been fully proven, it doesn’t hurt and helps keep your body hydrated.
- Wipe from front to back. Wiping carefully and thoroughly from front to back, especially after a bowel movement, can help keep bacteria away from the urethra.
- Always urinate after intercourse.
- Avoid irritating feminine products. Scented powders, douches, or feminine sprays can irritate the urethra.
- Don’t hold it; go when you need to urinate.
If you think you have a UTI, or if you tend to get them frequently, the physicians at Rio Grande Urology are here to help you find relief from the pain. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
