A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Most UTIs are ascending infections of bacteria that colonize the vaginal wall and eventually the urethra. From the urethra, the bacteria can travel upwards and infect the bladder (lower tract infection) or continue from the bladder up the ureters and infect the kidneys themselves (upper tract infection). The effective preventive measures are able to block this bacterial migration.
There are a number of general guidelines and suggestions that will help women avoid UTI
Flush out bacteria
Drink plenty of fluids. At least 8 glasses of water should be consumed. If the urine appears any darker than a very pale yellow, this means not enough liquid is being ingested; increase the fluid intake.But cut back on caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder. Try to empty the bladder at least every 4 hours during the day while awake, even if the need or urge to void is absent. If you avoid using the restroom for long, you risk bacteria growth. Also, urinate soon after sex to clear out any bacteria that may have entered the urethra.
Practice good toilet hygiene
After a bowel movement always wipe from front to back to keep from pushing bacteria nearer to your urethra. Never wipe twice with the same tissue. Any wiping motion that starts nearer to the rectum and then approaches the bladder-opening area moves potentially pathogenic bacteria closer to the bladder.
If you have young children, remind them of the importance of proper wiping and check in on how frequently they visit the bathroom. UTI can also occur in children.
Dress for prevention
Breathable fabrics and loose-fitting clothing allow a woman’s vaginal area to stay dry, a deterrent to bacteria growth. Skip the skin-tight jeans and opt for natural fiber underwear, and don’t lounge around in a wet swimsuit. This leads to maceration of the skin and bacterial overgrowth adjacent to the opening of the bladder Also, wash intimates using a mild detergent.
Medications
An estrogen vaginal cream may help increase resistance to bladder infections. An estrogen cream for the vagina may be suggested for women after menopause even if an oral estrogen supplement or patch has already been prescribed. The cream helps keep the tissues around the bladder healthy and more resistant to infection.
Hygienic Toilet Seats
Most UTI’s are caused by using unhygienic toilet seat. “I highly recommend using PeeSafe products like their toilet seat sanitizer spray which help to kill 99.99% germs present on the toilet seats. PeeSafe products are portable and can be carried with you anytime and anywhere for a safe toilet experience.”
Further steps
The preventive measures listed above help most women avoid bladder infections most of the time. If an infection develops in spite of these precautions, promptly seek medical help. A urine specimen for the examination should be provided.
