Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Urinary Tract Infection After Period

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Understanding Urinary Tract Infections

Can antibiotics for a UTI delay ovulation or a period?

A urinary tract infection typically is a result of the bacteria E. coli entering the urinary tract through the urethra, which opens to the exterior of the body. This is why women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections. First, the opening of the female urethra is located close to the vagina and anus, where bacteria that can cause a UTI thrive. Second, the female urethra is much shorter than a males, which makes it easier for UTI-causing bacteria to reach the destination of the bladder, where they grow easily.

In both men and women, the sexual organs are in close proximity to the urinary tract, and that means that an infection can easily spread from the urinary organs to the sexual organs. This can lead to extreme complications like infertility over time, especially if the UTIs are recurrent.

This is only one reason its important for both men and women to see a physician at the first sign of a UTI. The question, though, is that, if the UTI is able to affect the sexual organs, can it also cause problems with a womans period?

Painful Urination After A C

Contrary to what you might expect, postpartum urination pain may actually be a little more common in moms whove undergone C-sections compared to those whove given birth vaginally, research suggests.

That has to do with the fact that C-sections almost always include having a catheter placed, which can cause soreness and pee pain for a day or two.

If you spent time pushing before having your C-section, that can cause the same temporary symptoms too.

Is There Any Correlation Between Utis And Your Menstrual Cycle

Anyone whos ever had a urinary tract infection knows that those nasty buggers can be PAINFUL. Constantly having to pee, but being in extreme pain when you *do* pee?! Why, Mother Nature, whyyyy.

While UTIs are generally correlated with sexual activity, they tend to appear around your period, board-certified gynecologist Dr. Felice Gersh of Integrative Medical Group of Irvine said. Estrogen is anti-inflammatory and this hormone is at its lowest during your menstrual bleed, so you can be more susceptible during this time.

Oh, thats fun.

Naturally, those of us who are more prone to UTIs do everything we can to avoid them. Pee right after sex, wipe front to back, all that good stuff. These are things you should always be doing, but be extra conscientious around that time of the month. Because is there anything worse than the mere thought of getting a UTI on your period?

Answer: nope.

Recommended Reading: Can Smoking Weed Cause Urinary Problems

How My Uti Story Applies To You

Although I recovered from recurrent urinary tract infections to the point where I no longer had to take medication or supplements to manage my symptoms , this isnt a story about a miracle cure.

There is rarely such a thing when it comes to recurrent UTI. I promise I will provide more insight into what worked for me, but I do want to say this:

Thinking one persons approach will work for everyone else is like saying youve found a single pair of jeans that fits everyone perfectly.

But before you jump to the next blog post promising a 24 hour cure, Ill tell you why this story may apply to you. Its about finding the root cause of your recurrent UTIs, and addressing it.

Only by addressing the root cause of frequent UTIs can you hope to break the cycle of symptoms and treatment. Breaking the cycle will likely mean sacrifices, and this is a story about permanent change for the better.

If there is one piece of advice I will freely give to other recurrent UTI sufferers, its that knowledge is the key to recovery.

Learn everything you can about why UTIs can become recurrent, other causes of lower urinary tract symptoms, and how your overall health can prevent you from getting well. Hopefully, my story will help.

You Eat A Lot Of Sugar

Chronic urinary tract infection (UTI): Causes and treatments

Bacteria that cause UTIs love feeding on sugar, so you run the risk of providing a feast for them whenever your sweet tooth strikes. Kalas V, et al. Structure-based discovery of glycomimetic FmlH ligands as inhibitors of bacterial adhesion during urinary tract infection. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1720140115

If you eat tons of added sugars and get a real surge in your blood sugar, you may end up with some of that sugar in your urine, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Yale School of Medicine.

Some foods and beverages, like coffee, booze, and chocolate, can also irritate your delicate urinary tract and exacerbate an existing UTI.

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Does Clamedya Cause Uti

Undiagnosed, chlamydia can lead to serious infection and even infertility in women. The most common symptoms of chlamydia are silent and go unnoticed and undiagnosed in women, so if you feel that you might have either chlamydia or a UTI seek treatment. In addition, the symptoms associated with chlamydia can mimic those of a UTI once the STD has reached a certain level of infection and begins to cause irritation in the individual.

Both types of infections can be diagnosed with a simple urine test.

Link Between Urinary Tract Symptoms And Sexual Dysfunction

Urinary Tract Infections and sexual dysfunction in men such as erectile dysfunction or impotence symptoms are linked. This infection affects mostly men who are 50 years or above in age. Sexually active men are at an increased risk of getting affected.

Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria from the bowel that lives on the skin near the rectum. It can enter the urinary tract through the urethra. The lower urinary tract infections have been said to affect older men in terms of sexual dysfunction, but it may not be the only cause. The cause of this infection includes uncontrolled growth of bacteria, having sex with multiple partners and poor hygiene. The major symptoms include swelling and inflammation of linings of the kidney in case of upper urinary tract infection or pyelonephritis and inflammation and swelling in the bladder in case of lower urinary tract infection or cystitis.

For men who are concerned about their sexual problems such as impotence, it is advisable that they contact their local doctor and get themselves tested for urinary tract symptoms. This way they can be sure of the cause of their problem.

Read Also: Tips For Urinary Tract Infection

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your childs illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Treatment for a Bladder Infection

  • What You Should Know about Bladder Infections:
  • Bladder infections are common in girls.
  • Most infections do not respond to the first dose of an antibiotic.
  • Often the bladder symptoms do not improve the first day.
  • Here is some care advice that should help.
  • Keep Giving the Antibiotic by Mouth:
  • UTIs need a prescription antibiotic. It will kill the bacteria that are causing the bladder infection.
  • Give it as directed.
  • Try not to forget any of the doses.
  • Give the antibiotic until it is gone. Reason: To keep the bladder infection from flaring up again.
  • Pain Medicine:
  • Prevention of Bladder Infections in Girls

  • Tips for How to Prevent UTIs in Girls:
  • When your child bathes, clean the genital area with warm water. Soap is not needed for young girls.
  • Don’t use bubble bath, shampoo or other soaps in the bath water. Reason: They are irritants.
  • Keep bath time less than 10 minutes. Your child also should pass urine right after baths.
  • Teach your daughter to wipe herself correctly from front to back after a stool.
  • Drink enough fluids each day to keep the urine light-colored.
  • Pass urine at least every 4 hours during the day and avoid “holding back.”
  • Wear cotton panties. Reason: To allow the skin to breathe. Your child doesn’t need to wear panties during the night.
  • Avoid constipation.
  • You have other questions or concerns
  • Recurrent Uti And Constant Yeast Infections

    Does Getting Your Period Make You More Prone To UTIs?

    Frequent antibiotic use came with other side effects. The most obvious was yeast infections. Although this was a less painful experience than the UTIs, it was an even more constant companion.

    Each time I took antibiotics, I would need to use over the counter antifungals. These would relieve the symptoms just long enough for the next UTI to take hold. This of course meant more antibiotics, then more antifungals.

    Then more antibiotics, then more antifungals You get the picture.

    It felt as though I was never not taking something. I felt completely out of control of the state of my body. I had no confidence in its ability to find a better balance.

    The antibiotics and antifungals had destroyed any semblance of a healthy microbiome in all areas, including my digestive tract.

    Eventually the effectiveness of the antibiotics and antifungals lessened, and I would have just a few hours respite before the UTI and yeast infections would return.

    My UTI symptoms became constant at this point. I virtually had not a single moment where I wasnt aware of discomfort in my urinary tract. And discomfort is mostly putting it lightly.

    I began to notice a link between digestive symptoms, yeast related symptoms and the frequency of UTI flare ups. There was hardly a moment that I felt symptom free. Id had enough, and I decided to take what felt like drastic action.

    Read Also: What Can I Do To Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

    Is There A Home Remedy For Uti

    There are no home remedies that will completely cure a UTI because it is a bacteria that needs to be killed off with specific antibiotics. Prescription medications can be prescribed to be taken at home in order to cure a UTI. There are additional things that you can do at home in order to reduce the chance of contracting the infection again in the future. The regular consumption of cranberry juice is great for keeping bacteria levels in your bladder at a minimum. Urinating after sex helps purge bacteria trapped in the folds of the vaginal wall, as well as regular urination and the consumption of plenty of water.

    Even though there are no home remedies that will cure a UTI, you can reasonably reduce the chance of having to deal with the infection more than is necessary.

    Do Hot Tubs Cause Utis

    Though time in the hot tub is often blamed for urinary tract infections, it is actually not a common cause of UTI and very rare that a long soak would cause the infection. Hot tubs, or even very long baths, can cause the spread of yeast, known as vaginitis, and common skin infections like folliculitis. In the rare instance that a UTI is contracted while in the hot tub the bacteria known as, pseudomonas are going to be the cause. This bacteria makes up less than thirty percent of UTI cases, as E. coli is the most common cause of cases.

    Both infections present with similar symptoms and irritation so the one might be confused for the other and a doctor should be consulted in either case in order to gain a correct diagnosis and the best treatment. Even though time in the hot tub is thought to be a major cause of UTIs, women are more likely to contract the bacteria after intercourse, or through the use of diaphragms.

    Recommended Reading: D Mannose For Urinary Tract Health

    Painful Urination After A Vaginal Birth

    Some general soreness is normal as your perineum recovers from all that pushing, and you might notice it more when youre peeing. If you had any tearing or an episiotomy, its normal to experience some sharp stinging as urine comes into contact with the healing tissue.

    It can take three to six weeks for soreness and tearing-related pain to fully ease up. But the worst of the discomfort when you pee should gradually go away within a couple of days and then disappear altogether.

    Even if you didnt experience any tearing, having a catheter can also leave you sore and make peeing unpleasant for a little while. But the feeling should be more discomfort than intense pain and will likely disappear within a day or two after the catheter is removed.

    Reasons Why You Might Get Recurring Utis

    How To Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

    Many women who get a urinary tract infection may get one again at some point in their lives. In fact, one in five women experience recurrent UTIsan infection that occurs two times or more within six months or at least three times in a year. Men can get recurrent UTIs too, but it is not as common and is often due to some type of urinary tract blockage.

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    Pain Relief Is Within Reach

    The good news: Once the antibiotics kick in, youll start feeling much better. The bad news: It might take a day or two. How can you find relief if youre in crazy pain while waiting for a doctors appointment or the antibiotics to work their magic?

    The best thing you can do is drink lots of water. Yes, this will make you pee more, but frequent bathroom trips will help move the bacteria out of your system. Plus, the extra water will dilute your urine, taking away some of the sting. Keeping the bladder flushed can help with the pain while waiting for treatment, says Dr. Carusi.

    Over-the-counter medication like AZO, which acts as an antiseptic for your bladder, can also diminish your discomfort. Pain relievers like ibuprofen can help ease your aches and any flu-like symptoms.

    RELATED: What Your Urine Color Says About Your Health

    Causes Of Utis: Chlamydia

    Urinary tract infections can also be caused by chlamydia, which is sexually transmitted. However, UTIs caused by this bacteria are less common than those caused by E. coli and are usually limited to the bladder and urethra. Chlamydia has an incubation period of one to three weeks, according to Dr. Debra E Houry, associate professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory University 2.

    • Urinary tract infections can also be caused by chlamydia, which is sexually transmitted.
    • However, UTIs caused by this bacteria are less common than those caused by E. coli and are usually limited to the bladder and urethra.

    Also Check: Azithromycin For Urinary Tract Infection

    Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infections In Cats

    Most cats with urinary tract infections will make frequent trips to the litter box and seem restless. They may go into the box and strain to pee but produce either a small amount of urine or no urine at all. Occasionally, their urine may appear bloody.

    Some cats will avoid the litter box because they have associated it with the discomfort caused by the UTI. Instead, they may urinate in other places in your home. Sinks, bathtubs, and clean laundry are popular spots. Your cat also may vomit and seem lethargic as the problem progressesespecially male cats.

    In most cases, acute and chronic urinary tract infections will cause very similar symptoms. However, some cats with the chronic form show no signs of disease.

    Why Tracking Your Symptoms Can Help

    Can you get a UTI on your period?

    Now, I dont know about you, but I love a good spreadsheet. And its amazing how much more fulfilling a health regimen can be when you plot it out, then mark off your progress daily. Feels so goooood.

    I downloaded a counter on my phone to track how many days since my last UTI at the very least I would see how long I could last between episodes.

    Every morning I woke up and looked at my counter. After 30 days I started to feel my first glimmer of hope. I was still getting twinges and minor symptoms, but nothing I couldnt handle.

    My first milestone came around that time, when I went hiking with my partner. Without a map, without a compass, and without enough water. We got lost. We were out there for 10 hours and I was dehydrated.

    But I didnt get a UTI. And I didnt even think about it until I was home safe again. That alone blew my mind. This thing that had been my focus for four years had somehow become an afterthought.

    The counter kept going up. 45 days, 60 days, 90 days since a UTI. I suddenly felt like declaring myself officially healed of recurrent UTIs at the six month point might not be so far-fetched.

    Sometime, around three months in, I had a relapse of symptoms and upped some elements of my regimen in response. That UTI never happened and my count remained intact.

    Six months came and went and I set my sights on a year UTI free.

    Amazingly, my UTI regimen also cleared up my yeast infections. Four years later, Ive not had even the slightest hint of one returning.

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    Leaving Uti Anxiety Behind

    Out of fear, leftover antibiotics had become a permanent feature in my bag. If I changed bags, the antibiotics came with me. I never opened them, but they were my psychological backup.

    Around the nine month mark I made the momentous decision to leave the antibiotics behind. It might sound overly dramatic, but tearing up your safety blanket and tossing it to the wind IS huge. I hadnt taken antibiotics in nine months, but I still relied on their presence, psychologically speaking.

    When I embarked on my healing regimen, I envisioned massive celebrations at the one year mark, for I would then be officially free of recurrent urinary tract infections. In reality, I had put UTIs so far behind me that it was almost a non-event.

    I did have some celebratory drinks, with an emphasis on the fact I COULD drink alcohol without fearing a UTI.

    Bacteria Identification Key To Therapy Selection

    Studies analysing the typology of pathogens cau-sing urinary tract infections in non-diabetic patients quote Escherichia coli , Enterococcus sp. , Klebsiella sp. , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Proteus sp. , and Staphylococcus sp. as the most prevalent bacteria . For diabetic patients, the most typical pathogens observed were Escherichia coli , Klebsiella spp , Staphylococcus spp , and Enterococcus spp . In pregnant women, urinary tract infections are usually caused by Escherichia coli , bacteria from the Staphylococcus genus , Proteus mirabilis , Enterococcus faecalis , and Klebsiella pneumoniae . In infants, the most common pathogens included Escherichia coli , Klebsiella , and Staphylococci .

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