Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common. More than half of all women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime, and about 25% of women have recurrent infections two or three times a year.
Most urinary tract infections involve just the bladder and the urethra, the tube leading from the bladder to outside the body. Serious health problems can result from an infection that reaches up into the kidneys.
Antibiotics are the most common treatment for a UTI.
Research published this April in “Nature Microbiology” might reveal why some persons, especially women, experience UTIs frequently. The study found that repeated infections can change the DNA of cells lining the urinary tract. This change makes it more likely they will have repeated infections.
This new information emphasizes the importance of preventing UTIs. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, recommends these tips:
• Drink plenty of water
• Wipe from front to back
• Empty your bladder after sex
• Avoid sprays and powders
Men do get UTIs, but women get them more often because their urethras are shorter and closer to the rectum. That makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urethra during sex and colonize the urinary tract. Healthcare providers recommend urinating after sex in order to flush out any bacteria.
Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.
