More than half of women will experience a urinary tract infection in their lifetime (versus 14% of men).
Although it occurs frequently, it is usually an experience full of frustration and shameDr. Kalpana Gupta, a professor who studies urinary tract infections at Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, said.the patients ‘They feel some personal responsibility’, it points out. “It’s like saying: ‘What did I do wrong’.”
In most cases, a UTI (called bacterial cystitis) only lasts for a while. Slightly related to individual behaviorit points out.
The main reason these infections are more common in women is because they have urethra is shorter than in menwhich makes it easier for bacteria to reach the urethra; UTIs in men are often part of a more serious health problem, Gupta said.
The vast majority of UTI cases are caused by E. coli, which lives in the gut Sometimes it hangs around the perineum. How and under what circumstances the bacteria migrate to and infect the urinary tract “is not 100% resolved,” he said.
Dr. Ja-Hong Kim, a urologist at UCLA Health, says many misconceptions about UTIs stem from lack of high-quality research on this topic. These are some of the most common questions patients ask specialists.
If there is no burning sensation is it a UTI?
possible.UTIs can occur anywhere in the urinary tract, including urethra, bladder, kidneys For men, there’s also the prostate, Kim explained. For a problem to be considered a UTI, the patient must have some symptoms and confirmed bacteria in the urine.
Many of the best-known symptoms, such as Burning and constant need to go to the bathroomGupta explains, “from studies done on healthy, college-aged young adult women.” But in reality, the symptoms may vary.
In older adults, urinary tract infections can manifest as fever Or satiety, he explained.
Some patients experience lower back pain, which suggests that the UTI may be in the kidneys, making the condition more severe. sepsis and kidney damagealthough these results are “very, very rare,” King said.
Is it because I’ve had sex?
unnecessary.Women are often advised to urinate before and after sex to expel bacteria, but the practice not supported by any evidenceBenjamin Brooke, chief of urogynecology at NYU Langone.
“I don’t have any studies that show that urinating before and after sex reduces infections,” he says.
Interestingly, however, this may work for some women, she added.
The most common assumptions are about The link between sex and infection Gupta explained that an infection is when bacteria from the skin of the perineum are pushed into the urethra during penetrative sex, which can lead to a UTI.
Another reason is that because products such as spermicides alter the microbiome of the vagina, they can create an environment where bacteria can multiply. Flourish and migrate to the urethra. But some women don’t get UTIs when they’re more sexually active, even if they don’t urinate before or after sex.
Is it a health issue?
Doctors often tell women that good hygiene, such as wiping from front to back, not wearing wet swimsuits for long periods of time, and avoiding tight underwear can reduce the risk of UTIs.
the idea is wipe from front to back Reduces the chances of bacteria from stool entering the urethra and irritating the vaginal area from wet bathing suits or tight underwear.
These practices are not harmful, but they are also not based on scientific evidence, Gupta said, adding that in urinary tract infection It ends up creating anxiety in women about how clean they are.
“Most importantly, the risk of urinary tract infection It doesn’t matter how badly you bathe“Whether it’s the wet swimsuit, or the choice of clothing,” he said.
Are antibiotics my only option?
Not always. “Imagine when you’re hiking and you scratch yourself in a tree and your skin gets a little red. You don’t have to go find antibiotics because your body can fight the bacteria,” Brooke explained.
‘Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria like anything else’, microbe found in many healthy young patients can kill bacteria on its own. Although antibiotics are part of the standard care regimen, it is worth culturing first, which will take time to determine the best medical intervention.
In mild cases, good hydration can help the body clear the infection, says Brooke.There are over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, that can help reduce discomfort When the body does its job.
Research published in April found that the long-held thought was red cranberry There may be some truth to the fact that UTIs can be prevented.
In a meta-analysis of 50 randomized controlled trials, cranberry products – juice, tablets or capsules– Reduces the risk of UTIs in women with recurrent infections, children with UTIs, and people at risk for UTIs, but not in other groups such as men, the elderly, or pregnant women.
For menopausal women, the drop in hormone levels can change the vaginal environment and increase the risk of these infections. According to Brooke, in these cases, vaginal estrogen They can be a “good way” to prevent infection.
© The New York Times
Translated by: Patricia Sal
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