It can start with a constant "Gotta go!" feeling that's accompanied by knifelike pain when urinating, followed by the terrifying sight of pee the color of cranberry juice. But what makes a miserable urinary tract infection (UTI) experience even more miserable is when it happens again and again and again.
This is recurrent UTI, defined as two or more infections in six months or three or more infections in one year.
UTIS occur when bacteria, most commonly E. coli, reach the urethra and then travel up to the bladder. A lot of bacteria hang out around the anus and surrounding tissue, and the distance between the anus and the urethra is much shorter in women than in men, as is the length of the urethra itself.
While any woman is at risk (thanks to that short urethra), clearly some women are more prone to recurrent UTIs than others. If your mom suffered from them or you had your first one before you were 15, you may have a genetic predisposition that makes E. coli bacteria more likely to "stick" to the walls of your urinary tract than to get flushed out.
Intercourse is often the culprit, since it facilitates the journey of E. coli from the rectum to the urethra no matter how many showers you take, how often you pee, or how well you wipe.
DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM
Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women are particularly prone to getting recurrent urinary tract infections, since a lack of estrogen not only makes the urinary tract tissue more susceptible to infection but also changes the genital microbiome.
Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Prevention US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Prevention US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
What's Up With...Smelly Gas - You can blame it on the dog, but it happens to everyone.
The average person toots around 14 times a day-it's how your body releases the extra gas that accumulates when you swallow air and digest food, says Shilpa Ravella, M.D., author of A Silent Fire: The Story of Inflammation, Diet, and Disease. If you chew gum or smoke, you'll have even more gas buildup, she adds.
WHAT'S UP WITH ...EARWORMS
When a song gets stuck in your head, here's how to shake it off.
5 MYTHS ABOUT ARTHRITIS
Creaky joints are a pain, but some facts” about them are pretty twisted.
A Solo Trip at 55 Boosted My Confidence
When I retired, a big, beautiful world opened up to me.
NUTRITION for Healthy Breasts
YOU KNOW THAT EATING MORE CALORIES THAN YOU BURN can cause your body to accumulate fat.
Mammogram CONFUSION, Solved!
IT'S THE RARE WOMAN WHO DOESN'T VIVIDLY REMEMBER CERTAIN FIRSTS
Make Your BREAST GUESS
No.two breasts not even your own!) are identical in shape, size, or feel. But it’s important to pay attention to what makes each one of yours unique so you can spot peculiarities early and start conversations with your health care providers if need be. Consider this your friendly guide to what changes to expect through the years and. what to do if something feels or looks unusual so you can take steps toward better breast health.
come as you are
We all deserve quality health care, but people in bigger bodies are often shut out. That's why some providers have worked out a new approach that aims to treat the person actually sitting in their exam room rather than the one they would be if only they lost weight.
Ease Your Allergies
These holistic remedies may provide relief from seasonal symptoms.
WALK AWAY PAIN
One of the best things you can do to ease joint and back pain and ward off future ouches is so very simple: JUST TAKE IT STEP BY STEP.