Urinary tract infections: how to treat and prevent them
Have you ever felt a sharp pain when you go to the bathroom? Like a burning sensation? An urgent need to pee? A urinary tract infection (UTI) or cystitis is a condition that affects many teenage girls, young women, and older women!
How can you recognize a urinary tract infection? How do you treat it, and most importantly, is it possible to prevent one? What treatments are recommended, and which antibiotics? Are there alternative solutions? Is the famous cranberry really effective? What complications can arise?
Acute cystitis, recurring UTIs, bacterial spread to the kidneys, acute pyelonephritis, urinary stones, kidney stones—let’s take a closer look at urinary tract infections.
Louloucup gives you all the tools you need to enjoy a great summer while taking care of yourself and your health. Here, we answer all your questions about urinary tract infections as simply as possible.
What is a urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infections are common infections of the urinary system in women. What causes this bacterial infection? A nasty bacterium that makes its way into your bladder, where it definitely doesn’t belong.
Because it’s a bacterium and not a virus, an antibiotic treatment is needed to get rid of it. So, it’s important to take the right antibiotic that targets the specific bacterium. Not all antibiotics work for every bacterial infection.
This infection can affect different parts of the urinary tract:
- the bladder,
- the urethra,
- the kidneys,
- and even the ureters.
In the simplest and least serious case, acute cystitis is localized in the bladder. If the person isn't treated quickly or the antibiotic isn't suitable, the bacteria has time to move and spread.
It travels from the bladder to other parts of the urinary tract. It's called urethritis when the bacteria settles in the urethra, and pyelonephritis when the infection affects the kidneys.
What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
- a very strong urge to urinate,
- once on the toilet, even with the urge, urination is in very small amounts,
- urine may have a bad odor and appear cloudy,
- a more or less intense burning sensation when urinating,
- when urinating, it can be hard to stay still because the burning is so intense,
- Fever may appear in some cases,
- severe fatigue (which is completely normal—your body is under attack and fighting back),
- pain in the lower abdomen (pelvic pain),
- lower back pain (lumbar pain),
- but also blood in the urine.
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How do you treat a urinary tract infection?
Single-dose or one-time antibiotic
The prescribed antibiotic obviously needs to be effective against the specific bacteria that decided to settle in your bladder or urethra. The most common situation nowadays is to receive a single dose of a broad-spectrum antibiotic from your doctor. Most often, this is amoxicillin.
If the infection hasn’t had time to set in, a single-dose treatment is usually enough. This one-time antibiotic is really convenient and highly effective. It’s often prescribed even before lab results are in, and in many cases, it quickly relieves many women of the burning pain of cystitis.
Alongside this, we strongly recommend drinking at least two liters of water per day in the days following the infection. It’s important to go to the bathroom frequently to help "flush out" the infection.
Are you used to UTIs, do you experience recurrent urinary tract infections? Do you know your body well and can recognize the symptoms? Don’t hesitate to book a telehealth appointment to save valuable time and get your prescription quickly.
Urinalysis or midstream urine sample (ECBU)
A urine analysis is very useful if cystitis is suspected. The cytobacteriological examination is especially helpful for identifying the bacteria responsible for your cystitis and prescribing, if needed, a more effective antibiotic. Your doctor will prescribe an ECBU.
At first, your doctor may have performed a urine dipstick test during your appointment to confirm the urinary infection. This test reveals the presence of leukocytes and nitrites, which confirm the infection.
A urine cytobacteriological exam (ECBU) identifies the germs present in your urine. With the urine sample you provide to the lab, they can perform a cytology (study of cells) and a bacteriology (search for bacteria). The ECBU is essential, especially if the infection shows signs of resistance.
For most common UTIs, the culprit is the bacterium Escherichia coli. This bacteria causes inflammation of the bladder as well as the urethra (infectious urethritis).
A longer treatment in some cases
Sometimes a single dose isn’t enough. A one-time dose is usually the first line of treatment for uncomplicated acute cystitis. Unfortunately, the bacteria can sometimes be harder to eliminate.
If the burning sensation when you pee has moved to your lower abdomen or your back, around your kidneys, you may also have a fever and feel very tired. The bacteria may have reached one of your kidneys.
The type of urinary tract infection you have is more serious and should be taken seriously. An in-person visit to a doctor and a urine culture are essential. A longer course of appropriate antibiotics (10 days or more) will be started.
We strongly recommend that throughout your treatment, you drink plenty of fluids (daily, regular hydration is essential for your health) and don’t hold back when you need to use the bathroom. This helps flush out the bacteria more quickly. Water, herbal teas, and even cranberry juice (why not!)—don’t hesitate to switch up your drinks to keep things interesting.
If a urinary tract infection is left untreated or not treated properly, it can worsen and turn into pyelonephritis. The bladder infection can then travel up to the kidneys.
Prevention: Are there ways to avoid urinary tract infections?
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to avoid recurring urinary tract infections:
-
Stay hydrated regularly and thoroughly throughout the day. It’s important to keep your kidneys working and to use the restroom frequently. Your kidneys are the organs that filter urine. Don’t hesitate to drink diuretic beverages to help: apple juice or cranberry juice.
- Make it a habit to always go to the bathroom after sex. Urinating after sex helps "cleanse" your vaginal flora. After sex, your vaginal flora can become imbalanced. Its natural defenses are weakened and bacteria that are usually flushed out can make their way in.
- Avoid keeping your wet swimsuit on after swimming or at the beach. Prolonged contact with damp fabric against your intimate area can encourage bacterial growth (moisture, maceration).
- Avoid tight clothing that prevents your intimate area from breathing. Tight jeans or pants that squeeze the crotch should be avoided if you’re prone to urinary tract infections.
- Avoid sexual intercourse in the sea, pool, or any natural body of water—your delicate flora can be disrupted and become more vulnerable to bacteria.
-
Clean your vulva and intimate areas properly without overdoing it. It might seem odd, but washing too often will only weaken your intimate flora. Find a balance and stick with it. Also, avoid hygiene products loaded with chemicals, fragrances, or alcohol. Just use water, or a gentle natural soap with a neutral pH.
- When you’re in the bathroom, always wipe from front to back! It’s important to prevent bacteria from your anus from coming into contact with your vagina and bladder.
- And finally, here’s one last tip: never hold back from going to the bathroom. Go whenever you need to.
Louloucup has explored many topics related to women’s health. Feel free to check out our blog for more information!
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