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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms, Causes, And Remedies
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when microbes such as bacteria overcome the body's defenses in the urinary system. They can cause discomfort and urination problems, but medication and home remedies can often resolve them.
UTIs are one of the most common types of outpatient infections in the United States, leading to more than 8.1 million visits to the doctor every year.
The urinary tract consists of the upper and lower urinary tract. The kidneys and ureters make up the upper urinary tract, and the urethra and bladder make up the lower urinary tract.
UTIs have different names depending on where they occur. For example:
A UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract that can affect:
A UTI is classified as "simple" or "complicated." Simple UTIs will usually only affect the bladder. Complicated UTIs describe resistant infections that require stronger medications, or those that affect the kidneys.
According to 2022 research, groups at a higher risk of complicated UTIs include:
Additionally, blockages and problems with kidney function can increase a person's risk of developing a complicated UTI.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) writes that bladder infections — simple UTIs — are the most common type.
Overall, females are more likely to develop a UTI than males, with 40–60% of females developing an infection at least once in their life and 10% of females developing a UTI once a year. Females are at a higher risk than males because their urethra is shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
In adultsLower UTIs affect the bladder or urethra and can cause:
Upper UTIs affect the kidneys and ureters. As well as the symptoms above, they can cause:
In malesMales and females share the same symptoms. However, 2021 research suggests that males had a higher chance of experiencing symptoms that affect the lower urinary tract.
It is worth noting that this study involved 1,256 people from a single community in Japan, so the findings may not apply to other populations.
In childrenAdditional symptoms in children include:
Additional symptoms of UTIs in older adults or those with a urinary catheter include:
The Urology Care Foundation notes that different bacteria live on the skin or around the rectum and vagina. When the bacteria enter the urethra, they can travel to the bladder.
According to the NIDDK, the body usually flushes out the bacteria before they reach a person's bladder. However, in some cases, the body is unable to do so, resulting in a UTI.
UTIs most commonly occur due to the following bacteria:
People of any age and sex can develop a UTI. However, some people are more at risk than others.
The following factors can increase the likelihood of developing a UTI:
The NIDDK notes that females are more likely to develop UTIs than males. This is because females have a shorter urethra, meaning the bacteria have less distance to travel to the bladder.
Additionally, the urethra is closer to the rectum, where the UTI-causing bacteria are present.
Going through menopause and using birth control methods, such as diaphragms or spermicide, can also increase the chance of developing a UTI.
Is pregnancy a risk factor for a UTI?According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant people have a higher risk of UTIs than other people.
Changes in the body during pregnancy can cause changes in the urinary tract.
Learn more about UTIs in pregnancy here.
In malesMales share the same risk factors for developing a UTI. However, having an enlarged prostate is a male-specific risk factor.
An enlarged prostate can block or obstruct the usual flow of urine.
In some cases, lower UTIs can lead to pyelonephritis. This is a sudden and severe kidney infection.
Symptoms include:
If a person suspects they have a kidney infection, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Recurrent or long-lasting kidney infections can cause permanent damage. Some sudden kidney infections can be life threatening, particularly if bacteria enter the bloodstream in a condition known as septicemia.
They can also increase the risk of pregnant people delivering infants prematurely or with low birth weight.
There are several measures that an individual can take to reduce the risk of developing a UTI, including:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests taking showers instead of baths and avoiding douching.
Females should also wipe from the front to the back to help avoid spreading the germs from the rectum to the vagina. In addition, if a person experiences frequent or recurring UTIs, they should talk with a doctor about switching birth control methods if they use it.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists mentions that cranberry pills and unsweetened cranberry juice may help decrease the chance of contracting UTIs. However, research is ongoing.
Individuals should contact a doctor if they develop UTI symptoms, especially if they have developed symptoms of a potential kidney infection.
A doctor will usually diagnose a UTI after asking about a person's symptoms and testing a urine sample to assess the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria.
In some cases, a doctor may culture the urine to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection.
If someone has recurrent UTIs, a doctor may request further diagnostic testing to determine if anatomical or functional issues are the cause. Such tests may include:
A healthcare professional can prescribe antibiotics to treat UTIs, regardless of a person's sex.
The type of medication and length of treatment will depend on a person's symptoms and medical history.
People should always complete the full course of treatment to make sure that the infection is fully clear and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. UTI symptoms can disappear before the infection has completely gone.
To cure a UTI that has occurred due to problems within the urinary system, a healthcare professional will need to diagnose the underlying issue.
If the person is seriously ill, they may need to be admitted to a hospital to ensure they consume sufficient fluids and receive the correct medication.
People may also need to go to the hospital if they are:
To help treat and prevent recurrent UTI infections, a healthcare professional may:
There are several suggested remedies that people with a UTI can try at home. These include:
A 2021 study found that other successful home remedies to help stop recurrent UTIs included:
A person should contact a doctor if they develop symptoms of a UTI. Without treatment, UTIs can lead to a sudden and severe kidney infection which can be life threatening.
The NIDDK advises people to seek care immediately if they develop:
Below are answers to the top frequently asked questions about urinary tract infections.
What are 3 symptoms of a UTI?Although symptoms can differ from person to person, the following three symptoms may indicate a person has a UTI:
Generally, a person will be able to tell they have a UTI if they have any of the following symptoms:
If a person develops these symptoms, they should seek medical advice from a healthcare professional who will be able to confirm if they have a UTI.
How do you get rid of a UTI fast?A person should always see a doctor if they develop symptoms of a UTI, as they can progress into a kidney infection.
Some ways a person can get rid of a UTI quickly include the following actions:
However, some people need to see a doctor to relieve their symptoms.
Is a UTI an STD?Whilst it is possible to get a UTI after sex, and being sexually active can increase the likelihood of developing one, a UTI is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections?Risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infections include:
A person should speak with a doctor if they get recurrent UTIs.
A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract. The urethra and bladder make up the lower urinary tract, and the upper urinary tract consists of the kidneys and ureters.
The main symptoms include a burning sensation during urination and a frequent and intense urge to urinate. The symptoms are the same for both males and females. However, males are more likely to experience the sensation that they have not finished urinating and urine dribbling from the penis after urination.
UTIs occur due to bacteria present on the skin and around the rectum and vagina. However, some risk factors are female- or male-specific.
Treatment includes antibiotics, and a person should drink plenty of fluids.
If an individual notices symptoms of a UTI, they should contact a healthcare professional. Without treatment, a kidney infection can occur.
Read the article in Spanish.
Extreme Pubic Hair Removal To Cause Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections( UTI) are increased by 60.40% reportedly, Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But serious health problems can result if a UTI spreads to the kidneys.
Several studies have reported that scalp and facial hair in men have been shown to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. A new study hypothesized that having hairy genitalia might protect women from UTI, and found that while grroming along with their pubes, women may be getting rid of important microbial niche and protection against recurrent UTIs. The study is published in Scientific reports.
Researchers in the current study investigated grooming habits and occurrence of UTIs in the past 12 months in 2409 women of age between 18-45 years. Women who reported removing all their pubic hair at least weekly were defined as extreme groomers. They collected additional information on covariates including age, having a first UTI at or before age 15, spermicide use, having a new sex partner, and frequency of sexual intercourse during the past year.
The highlights of study are
• 66.8% women were reported to be extreme groomers. Extreme grooming was not associated with the risk of being diagnosed with UTI (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.90-1.52), but was associated with a higher risk of recurrent UTIs,
• The researchers defined recurrent UTIs as three or more UTIs within 12 months (OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.35-7.06), after controlling for age, history of UTIs, and sexual practices. Other studies have found that hygienic purposes are the most common motivations for pubic hair removal.
Researchers concluded that extreme pubic hair removal is a potential risk factor for recurrent urinary tract infections. They speculate that microbes in pubic hair maintain urogenital health by serving as a niche for beneficial bacteria.
Reference: Galbarczyk A, Marcinkowska UM, Klimek M, Jasienska G. Extreme pubic hair removal as a potential risk factor for recurrent urinary tract infections in women. Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 3;13(1):19045. Doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-46481-6.
Urinary Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals Do Not Increase Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome Among Women
A recent multiethnic study highlighted the potential connection between exposure to certain environmental chemicals and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in women. The findings of the study were published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, includes factors like high blood pressure, elevated fasting glucose, increased triglycerides, expanded waist circumference, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
This analysis focused on four classes of urinary endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), the bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan, parabens, and phthalates. The study involved 1728 women after adjusting for variables such as age, body mass index (BMI), racial and ethnic background, and breast cancer status.
The results showed that metabolic syndrome was identified in 30.0% of the women. There were no statistically significant associations between MetS and BPA, triclosan, or phthalate metabolite excretion. Also, an intriguing inverse relationship emerged with total parabens (Ptrend = .002) was noticed which indicated a potential protective effect against metabolic syndrome.
The study explored potential variations in these associations based on race, ethnicity, and BMI. While these were suggestive of inverse associations between EDCs and MetS among Latino and African American women, no statistically significant heterogeneity was detected in those with a BMI under 30 kg/m2.
The findings of this study suggest a complex interplay between environmental exposures and metabolic health, particularly among women. This inverse association observed here with parabens prompts further investigation into the potential protective role of these chemicals in the context of MetS.
Reference:
Ihenacho, U., Guillermo, C., Wilkens, L. R., Franke, A. A., Tseng, C., Li, Y., Sangaramoorthy, M., Derouen, M. C., Haiman, C. A., Stram, D. O., Le Marchand, L., Cheng, I., & Wu, A. H. (2023). Association of endocrine disrupting chemicals with the Metabolic syndrome among women in the Multiethnic Cohort Study. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 7(12). Https://doi.Org/10.1210/jendso/bvad136
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