Download UTI Fact Sheet

UTI Fact Sheet
UTI Fact Sheet
UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection. The urinary tract
includes the urethra, bladder, the ureter tubes that connect
the bladder to the kidneys and the kidneys. Almost every
woman will have one at some point in her life. A UTI is
usually caused by bacteria but can sometimes be caused
by increased sexual activity, sexually transmitted
infections (STDs), low immune system, poor diet, stress,
birth defects, or surgery. Pregnant women (due to pelvic
pressure) and postmenopausal women (due to hormonal
changes) may be more susceptible to UTIs.
UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection. The urinary tract
includes the urethra, bladder, the ureter tubes that connect
the bladder to the kidneys and the kidneys. Almost every
woman will have one at some point in her life. A UTI is
usually caused by bacteria but can sometimes be caused
by increased sexual activity, sexually transmitted
infections (STDs), low immune system, poor diet, stress,
birth defects, or surgery. Pregnant women (due to pelvic
pressure) and postmenopausal women (due to hormonal
changes) may be more susceptible to UTIs.
Prevention
Prevention
Wear cotton underwear.
Wear loose clothing rather than tight jeans or pantyhose.
Take showers rather than baths.
Always wipe front to back after you go to the bathroom to
avoid getting bacteria from your rectum into your urethra.
Be patient when you go to the bathroom and give
yourself a chance to completely empty your bladder.
Have foreplay in the shower, taking time to wash away
any bacteria that may be on your or your partner’s hands
and body. Make it a fun part of your sex play.
Pee after sex play to flush any possible bacteria out of
your urethral opening.
Keep your genital area clean. Wash thoroughly with
water. Avoid harsh soaps, glycerin soaps and douches.
We recommend that if you want to use soap, use Celaphil
liquid. It is available at any pharmacy.
Avoid scented sprays and scented panty liners, pads or
tampons.
Avoid dyed toilet paper. Use only white toilet paper.
Drink pure cranberry juice. Avoid “juice drinks” with corn
syrup and other sweeteners. Try to find pure juice,
sweetened only with apple juice. Cranberries contain a
tannin called proanthocyanidin, which inhibits bacteria
from sticking to the bladder walls.
Take a daily 400-milligram cranberry-extract tablet.
Available at health food stores.
Avoid spermicide. Spermicide is sometimes found on
condoms or used in conjunction with diaphragms.
Spermicide alters the healthy vaginal bacterial flora and
can leave you more vulnerable to infections.
Consult an herbalist to find the proper teas and herbs
that make work for your body.
Get plenty of sleep and take measures to reduce stress
in your life.
Limit sugar, starches, caffeine and alcohol.
Wear cotton underwear.
Wear loose clothing rather than tight jeans or pantyhose.
Take showers rather than baths.
Always wipe front to back after you go to the bathroom to
avoid getting bacteria from your rectum into your urethra.
Be patient when you go to the bathroom and give
yourself a chance to completely empty your bladder.
Have foreplay in the shower, taking time to wash away
any bacteria that may be on your or your partner’s hands
and body. Make it a fun part of your sex play.
Pee after sex play to flush any possible bacteria out of
your urethral opening.
Keep your genital area clean. Wash thoroughly with
water. Avoid harsh soaps, glycerin soaps and douches.
We recommend that if you want to use soap, use Celaphil
liquid. It is available at any pharmacy.
Avoid scented sprays and scented panty liners, pads or
tampons.
Avoid dyed toilet paper. Use only white toilet paper.
Drink pure cranberry juice. Avoid “juice drinks” with corn
syrup and other sweeteners. Try to find pure juice,
sweetened only with apple juice. Cranberries contain a
tannin called proanthocyanidin, which inhibits bacteria
from sticking to the bladder walls.
Take a daily 400-milligram cranberry-extract tablet.
Available at health food stores.
Avoid spermicide. Spermicide is sometimes found on
condoms or used in conjunction with diaphragms.
Spermicide alters the healthy vaginal bacterial flora and
can leave you more vulnerable to infections.
Consult an herbalist to find the proper teas and herbs
that make work for your body.
Get plenty of sleep and take measures to reduce stress
in your life.
Limit sugar, starches, caffeine and alcohol.
Signs of an Infection May Include:
Signs of an Infection May Include:
Painful urination, frequent urination, trouble passing urine,
cloudy urine, fever/chills, blood in urine and/or body
aches.
Painful urination, frequent urination, trouble passing urine,
cloudy urine, fever/chills, blood in urine and/or body
aches.
Treatment
Treatment
See your doctor. Follow their treatment plan. Fever, chills,
blood in your urine or pain in your kidneys (your back,
below your rib cage) can be signs of an advanced
infection and may require more urgent care. As always,
drink plenty of liquids. Follow all of the tips for prevention
listed above.
See your doctor. Follow their treatment plan. Fever, chills,
blood in your urine or pain in your kidneys (your back,
below your rib cage) can be signs of an advanced
infection and may require more urgent care. As always,
drink plenty of liquids. Follow all of the tips for prevention
listed above.
Resources: Cabrini Medical Center, Health Magazine,
Our Bodies, Ourselves by The Boston Women’s Health
Book Collective
Resources: Cabrini Medical Center, Health Magazine,
Our Bodies, Ourselves by The Boston Women’s Health
Book Collective