Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a fairly common problem among the young, healthy women. It usually involves the following:
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Frequent urination
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A burning sensation when urinating
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Bloody or dark urine
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Pain in the bladder region or in the kidneys (region at your lower back)
In some cases, you may be told that there’s bacteria in your urine after a urine test (FYI your urine should have little or no bacteria) without experiencing any discomforts mentioned above. This is known as asymptomatic bacteriuria.
What causes UTI?
UTI is the result of a bacterial infection. In most cases, the bacteria enter the urinary system through the urethra, and then they multiply in the bladder.
Image credit from: http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/prime-years-urinary-tract-infection/
The main ‘culprit’ of this bacterial infection is called Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli often resides in the human’s intestines. However, when it finds its way out of the intestines into the urinary tract, it can lead to UTI.
How does this happen you may ask? Well, it can happen when tiny or even microscopic bits of feces get into the urinary tract -- often via interchanging between vaginal and anal sex, which may raise the risk of getting UTI significantly. It can also develop from toilet water backsplash or by improper wiping of the bottom.
Besides Escherichia coli, there are other bacteria species that can cause UTI as well.
Image credit: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16638-e-coli-infection
Why does UTI keep coming back to me?!
For some of them, UTI can keep recurring or does not respond to treatment. It is important to manage your UTI properly to prevent spreading the infection to the kidney, which can be complicated to treat.
Below are factors that may increase the risk of recurrent UTI:
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Sexual intercourse - A study has shown that the more times one have sex the more likely it is to develop UTI.
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Any conditions that may affect one’s bladder emptying
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Regular spermicide or vaginal douches use. This is because such usage may alter the normal flora in your private area, which makes it more susceptible to catch an infection such as UTI.
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Menopause. The change in hormones during menopause also changes the normal flora in women’s private areas, which increases the chance of getting UTI.
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Age at first UTI ≥ 15 years
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Maternal history of UTI
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Changing new sex partner frequently
Ever wonder why women are more susceptible to UTI? This is because the urethra is close to the rectum in women. As a result, it’s extremely easy for bacteria from the rectum to reach the urethra, particularly if you wipe back to front instead of front to back.
Second, a woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s. This means that bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to get to the bladder, where they can multiply and more readily cause infection.
Individuals who should be extra cautious about UTI
For various reasons, these individuals should be extra cautious about UTI because if they get it, it can be more complicated to treat the resulting infections:
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People with conditions that may lower their immunity, such as diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, renal transplant and those who are on immunosuppressant medications.
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People who carry an indwelling urinary catheter
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People who were infected by any antibiotic-resistant bacteria before
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People with urinary tract anatomic abnormality or obstruction in the urinary tract, such as having kidney stones
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Pregnant women
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People with urinary incontinence problem
Treatment of UTI
If you experience any discomfort mentioned at the beginning of the article, you are encouraged to see a doctor for further examination. If a UTI is likely, a doctor would prescribe you with a short-term oral antibiotics treatment. You probably don’t need antibiotics if you do not experience discomfort but just bacteria presented in your urine (except for pregnant women).
For temporary pain relief when urinating, you can also purchase urinary alkalinizer such as Ural® effervescent sachet in any pharmacy stores. Bacterial infection may lower the pH of your urine, which leads to painful urination and burning sensation when urinating. Taking an urinary alkalinizer may neutralise your urine.
Sources:
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American Family Physician - Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women: Diagnosis and Management. Link: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0915/p638.html#:~:text=Recurrent%20urinary%20tract%20infections%2C%20presenting,abnormalities%20of%20the%20urinary%20tract.
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Healthline - Chronic Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-urinary-tract-infection#diagnosis
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MyHealth - Urinary Tract Infection. http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/prime-years-urinary-tract-infection/
