Find yourself needing to visit the loo more often than normal? Or, feel like something’s burning down there when you pee?
You might have a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are very common, especially in women, babies and the elderly. Around 1 in 2 women will get a UTI in their lifetime, so if you think you might be displaying the symptoms, don’t stress – you’re not alone!
What is a UTI?
A UTI is an infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is what makes and stores urine and removes it from the body. The different parts of the urinary tract include:
- Kidneys: collects waste from blood to make urine
- Ureters: carries the urine from the kidneys to the bladder
- Bladder: stores urine and releases
- Urethra: a short tube that carries urine from the bladder out of your body when you pass urine
Here is an article that goes into more detail if you are interested.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
- Needing to urinate more regularly and more urgently, even if only a few drops come out
- A burning pain when you pee (feeling like you’re peeing broken glass)
- Feeling like your bladder is still full even after you’ve urinated
- Pain above the pubic bone
- Blood in the urine (see your doctor if this happens)
How are UTIs caused?
Bacteria Entry: UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract. Here are common ways bacteria can reach the urinary system:
- Wiping Back to Front: After a bowel movement, wiping from back to front can introduce bacteria into the urethra, which is located at the front of the vagina.
- Sexual Intercourse: During sex, bacteria from the vaginal area can be pushed into the urethra.
- Delaying Urination: Holding urine in the bladder for extended periods allows bacteria to multiply, increasing the risk of infection.
- Contraceptive Devices: Using diaphragms or spermicides (creams that kill sperm) may raise the likelihood of developing a UTI.
- Diabetes: Changes in the immune system in people with diabetes can make them more susceptible to infections.
- Urinary Catheter Use: Having a urinary catheter in place provides bacteria with a direct route to the bladder.
How can I prevent UTIs from happening in the first place and how can I stop them from happening again?
Some women find these things useful in preventing the development of UTI’s:
- Drink plenty of water (this helps flush the urinary system)
- Treat vaginal infections such as thrush or trichomoniasis quickly
- Avoid using spermicide-containing products, particularly with a diaphragm contraceptive device.
- Go to the toilet when you need to – don’t hold off because you’re waiting for that next ad break on your favourite show!
- Make sure you wipe from front to back after you go to the toilet
- After sex, make sure to empty your bladder
- Avoid constipation
I think I’ve got a UTI… What should I do?
- See your GP: Your doctor will test your urine to see whether you’ve got an infection and if you need antibiotics. UTIs usually respond quickly to antibiotics and many people feel better in a few days after taking the medication.
- It’s important to seek treatment if you think you might have a UTI. Early treatment of urinary infections can help stop the infection from spreading to the kidneys and from becoming more serious.
- UTIs can have serious complications if not treated – so if you think you might have one, don’t put up with the pain!
- Drink a urinary alkaliniser (like Ural) to make your wee less acidic. These are available at your chemist.
You might also feel like taking the day off, or just spending some time at home while the symptoms wear off.
