If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection, or UTI, you know it can cause pain and discomfort that’s hard to forget. While UTIs are more common in those assigned female at birth, it’s important everyone learn the signs and symptoms, how to reduce the risk of infection and when to seek treatment.
 

What’s a UTI?

The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. Ureters carry waste in the form of urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body.

A UTI can occur when bacteria infects any part of the urinary tract. This can happen in a number of ways, including: 
 

• Poor hygiene after a bowel movement, sexual activity or while menstruating.

• Using certain types of birth control, such as a diaphragm or spermicide.

• Catheter use.

• Not keeping the vaginal area clean and dry.

• Not drinking enough water.

Who’s at risk for a UTI?

According to the Urology Care Foundation, more than 8 million visits are made each year to healthcare providers by patients suffering from UTIs. Any person of any age or gender can develop a urinary tract infection — including babies and children. 

Dr. Ali Fayed, internal medicine physician with Community Health Partners, said menopause is also a risk factor: “Because (those in menopause) don’t have as much estrogen in their system, there’s a little bit of dryness in the vaginal area, the area surrounding the urethra, and that just makes it more likely to be invaded by different types of bacteria.”
 

Signs and symptoms 

There are various signs and symptoms to look out for with urinary tract infections, including:

• Pain in the side or abdominal area.

• Strong-smelling or visibly cloudy urine.

• A frequent urge to urinate, or a need to urinate at night.

• Other symptoms like pain during sex, vomiting, fever or fatigue.

It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible, especially if you get UTIs often. An untreated UTI can lead to more serious infections, such as a kidney infection.

“If the symptoms last over 24 hours,” said Dr. Fayed, “contact your primary care physician to get an evaluation, or some antibiotics.”
 

Reduce the risk 

While UTIs usually respond to antibiotics, some strains can become resistant to medication. That’s why the best way to treat a urinary tract infection is to avoid getting one in the first place.

Here are ways you can reduce the risk:
 

• Drink lots of water to make sure you urinate throughout the day.

• Don’t hold in your urine — go as often as you need to and empty your bladder entirely.

• Wipe front to back to avoid contamination of the urethra.

• Make sure to urinate after sex.

• Change out pads and tampons often.

• Avoid wearing tight clothing and underwear made of synthetic materials.

• Change your child’s diapers immediately after they’re soiled.

• Change out soiled incontinence pads immediately.

See this story on MedWatch Today