Birth Control And Pregnancy
Uqora says that its products do not alter the effectiveness of birth control. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before purchasing any of Uqoras products. There has been limited research into the ingredients effectiveness for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Treatment Strategies For Recurrent Utis
Recurrent urinary tract infections, defined as three or more UTIs within 12 months, or two or more occurrences within six months, is very common among women these but arent treated exactly the same as standalone UTIs. One of the reasons: Continued intermittent courses of antibiotics are associated with allergic reactions, organ toxicities, future infection with resistant organisms, and more.
Because of this, its strongly recommended that you receive both a urinalysis and urine culture from your healthcare provider prior to initiating treatment. Once the results are in, the American Urological Association suggests that healthcare professionals do the following:
- Use first-line treatments. Nitrofurantoin, TMP-SMX, and fosfomycin are the initial go-tos. However, specific drug recommendations should be dependent on the local antibiogram. An antibiogram is a periodic summary of antimicrobial susceptibilities that helps track drug resistance trends.
- Repeat testing. If UTI symptoms persist after antimicrobial therapy, clinicians should repeat the urinalysis, urine culture, and antibiotic susceptibility testing to help guide further management.
- Try vaginal estrogen. For peri- and post-menopausal women with recurrent UTIs, vaginal estrogen therapy is recommended to reduce risk of future UTIs.
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Things Women Need To Know About Utis
May 12, 2016
If youve ever had a urinary tract infection and if youre a woman, chances are you have you know theyre not fun. UTIs not only feature unpleasant symptoms, like an increased urge to urinate and a burning sensation when you do, but also a tendency to come back again and again. In fact, UTIs are the second most common type of infection in the body, leading to over 8 million visits to health care providers each year.1
Because urinary tract infections are also one of the most common conditions treated by MDLIVE doctors, we decided to speak to Dr. David Talbott, MDLIVEs VP of Physician Education and Quality Assurance, to find out what we should know.
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How Is A Uti Treated
- Symptoms of a UTI generally go away within 24 to 72 hours of starting treatment.
- The healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics for your child. Make sure your child takes all of the medicine, even if he or she starts feeling better.
- You can do the following at home to ease your childs symptoms:
- Give your child over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to manage pain and fever. Don’t give ibuprofen to a baby who is younger than 6 months old, or to a child who is dehydrated or constantly vomiting. Dont give aspirin to a child younger than age 19 unless directed by your childs provider. Taking aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome. This is a rare but very serious disorder. It most often affects the brain and the liver.
- Ask your provider about other medicines that can be prescribed to ease painful urination.
- Give your child plenty of fluids to drink. Cranberry juice may help ease some pain symptoms.
- If a urine culture was done, make sure to get the results from the healthcare provider. Make an appointment to follow up about a week after your child has finished antibiotics.
You Can Get Help Without Going To A Doctors Office
In the past, receiving treatment for a UTI required scheduling an office visit and suffering through your symptoms until you can see a doctor. Now, telemedicine services like MDLIVE allow you can talk to a doctor via phone or videowherever you arein an average of 10 minutes or less. And if you need a prescription, you can have it in your hands that same day.
When it comes to UTIs, there are tests a doctor can run a urinalysis and culture, which can get quite expensive. However, if youre a healthy female between the ages of 18 and 65 with the symptoms of a UTI and without any complications, these tests most likely arent going to change the initial treatment a doctor prescribes, says Dr. Talbott.
If your doctor sees anything complicated in your symptoms, it does make sense to do a urinalysis and possibly other laboratory tests. But in a majority of cases, its reasonable to initiate treatment and forgo the cost and inconvenience of testing, and delay in treatment, because most of the time it wont change the antibiotic thats prescribed.
This makes telemedicine a more convenient and inexpensive way to get the treatment you need to minimize your discomfort and start feeling better, faster.*
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When Your Child Has A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Children often get UTIs that affect the bladder. UTIs can be uncomfortable and painful. But with treatment, most children recover with no lasting effects.
First Line Of Defense
If youre just feeling the first hint of a UTI, you can get ahead of the infection with AZO Urinary Tract Defense®. It includes a pain reliever to help soothe and a powerful antibacterial agent to help control your infection. If youre beyond that stage, relieve painful UTI symptoms FAST with an over-the-counter urinary pain reliever like AZO Urinary Pain Relief® or for a higher dose of the active ingredient, AZO Urinary Pain Relief® Maximum Strength.
Remember: Theres no over-the-counter cure for a UTI. Only your doctor can prescribe a UTI antibiotic to rid the bacteria causing the infection.
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Azo Urinary Pain Relief
Similar to the previous product by AZO, this one contains Phenazopyridine as an active ingredient, just a lower dose .
Therefore, AZO Urinary Pain Relief has the same side-effects and method of action. It is also purely analgesic, containing no antimicrobial ingredient, and is sold at a lower price, as it contains less Phenazopyridine per dose.
There are no other ingredients that add value and the same possible carcinogenic effects associated with using Phenazopyridine.
When To Call The Healthcare Provider
- Symptoms that don’t improve within 48 hours of starting treatment
- Fever, typically greater than 100.5 degrees, or as directed by your healthcare provider
- A fever that goes away but returns after starting treatment
- Increased belly or back pain
- Signs of fluid loss (dehydration, such as very dark or little urine, excessive thirst, dry mouth, or dizziness
- Vomiting or inability to tolerate prescribed antibiotics
- Child begins acting sicker
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Antibiotic Warnings And Treatment Concerns
The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs are similar in efficacy. But its important to note that ampicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfonamides are no longer the drugs of choice for combatting UTIs because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance. In addition, amoxicillin and clavulanate has been shown in previous research to be significantly less effective than others when it comes to treating urinary tract infections.
Also, as noted above, the FDA advises against using fluoroquinolones for uncomplicated UTIs. These medicines should only be considered if no other treatment options are available. In some cases, such as a complicated UTI or kidney infection, a healthcare provider may decide that a fluoroquinolone medicine is the best option, notes the American Academy of Family Physicians.
For pregnant women, some common antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines, should not be prescribed because of possible toxic effects on the fetus. But oral nitrofurantoin and cephalexin are considered good antibiotic choices for pregnant women with asymptomatic bacteriuria and acute cystitis, according to past research.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti
- If your child has a UTI affecting the bladder , symptoms can include:
- Painful urination
- Blood in the urine
- Daytime wetting or nighttime bedwetting when previously continent
- If your child has a UTI affecting the kidneys , symptoms are similar to those of a bladder infection. They can also include:
- Fever
- Upset stomach and vomiting
- Cloudy urine
- Strong-smelling urine
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Homeopathic Uti Over The Counter Treatment
Homeopathy treats the whole patient, not a symptom or group of symptoms. If you ask a homeopath, they prefer to prescribe remedies based on individual patient assessment, not just isolated symptoms. Therefore, a homeopathic doctor would prefer to prescribe you a remedy uniquely addressing your individual health needs.
Purchasing an off-the-shelf remedy is considered to be less effective than taking one recommended specifically for you.
However, there are several widely-recognized homeopathic UTI OTC remedies readily available. Many naturopathic doctors find the following remedies helpful for their patients with UTI symptoms.
Cantharis
Advised for those who experience a constant, strong urge to urinate with a sharp pain right before and after peeing. Other symptoms include a sensation of bladder fullness but only being able to release a few drops of urine when peeing.
Nux vomica
This remedy is advised for those who feel a strong urge to urinate, burning or cramping pain in the bladder area, and an itching sensation while the urine passes.
Other notable symptoms that can be helped include irritability, impatience, and feeling cold. This remedy is great if your symptoms are relieved by hot baths or with a hot bottle applied to your lower abdomen.
Sarsaparilla
This remedy is often useful in cystitis and may help when symptoms are unclear, or if other remedies have not been effective.
Can You Get Antibiotics For A Uti Without Insurance
You can definitely get antibiotics for a UTI without insurance. Though a prescription is required, insurance is not. And if you dont have insurance, dont worry there are many low-cost or even free options for getting the antibiotics you need.
Many of the antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections are available as generics. This means that they are usually less expensive. And GoodRx can also help you keep your medication costs low. These antibiotics for UTIs are under $20 with a pharmacy discount:
In addition, many stores offer $4 generics for select medications, including some antibiotics. Some pharmacy chains like Publix even offer certain antibiotics for free.
Finally, if you are uninsured and finances are a barrier, Dispensary of Hope may be able to match you with a local option for free medications. Some doctors offices and free clinics may also have samples or free medications available for you to take home with you.
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What Happens When A Uti Goes Untreated
Thanks to early diagnosis and proper treatment, the vast majority of lower urinary tract infections result in no complications. However, if left untreated, a UTI can have serious ramifications notes the Mayo Clinic, including:
- Recurrent UTIs
- Premature birth and low birth weight
- Kidney damage, which can occur is an untreated UTI spreads from the bladder to the kidneys.
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Uqora Reputation And Reviews
Uqora products may have minimal side effects, and the Food and Drug Administration classifies the companys ingredients as generally recognized as safe.
In online reviews, some customers who have had repeated UTIs report having no reoccurrences since using Uqora products. Most of the companys testimonials come from women aged 2170 years.
The company has a Facebook group where customers can post their reviews and talk to others with similar experiences. Some customers say that they appreciate the support of the group and that the companys customer service representatives were helpful and responded quickly to requests.
Others have found that the products were ineffective but that the company issued full refunds without any issues.
More negative reviews on the companys website report that some products left a bad aftertaste that lingered for 2030 minutes. Others say that the products are too expensive.
Each of Uqoras products costs around $30. The company sells some in bundles and has a discount program for students. Alternately, a customer may be able to save up to 35% with a subscription.
All of its products are gluten-free, and some are vegan.
Uqora has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if a person is not satisfied, they can return the item and request a full refund within 30 days.
Below, we describe specific products in more detail.
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What Is The Urinary Tract
The following body parts make up the urinary tract:
A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract. |
- Kidneys filter waste from the blood and make urine.
- Ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
- The bladder stores urine.
- The urethra carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Editorial Sources And Fact
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How Is A Uti Normally Treated
A UTI is normally treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics get rid of the bacteria that are causing the infection. Most people with a UTI feel better after just 1 to 2 days of taking antibiotics. And these medications usually help symptoms go away more quickly than over-the-counter medications like Advil or Aleve.
But antibiotics can also have some downsides. They can cause side effects like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and rash. Some people can even have an allergic reaction or other life-threatening complication. Overusing antibiotics may also have serious public health consequences.
With this in mind, many people choose to wait a couple days to see if their UTI gets better without antibiotics especially since many UTIs go away on their own. If your symptoms dont start to improve after 2 to 3 days, you can always think about starting an antibiotic. This could be an especially good plan for people who are at risk for antibiotic-related complications, like older adults.
Of course, there are situations where you shouldnt hold off on antibiotics. It can be dangerous to postpone treatment if you have a severe infection or are in a high-risk group. If youre unsure whether to wait or to start antibiotics right away, talk to a provider about which plan is right for you.
Some Preventative Measures Do Help
Because urinary tract infections do tend to reoccur, it can be beneficial to take some steps to prevent them. Dr. Talbott recommends emptying your bladder immediately after sexual intercourse. You can also take cranberry tablets, which are not necessarily curative, but may have some benefit in preventing infection in the first place.
Drinking a lot of water can also be very beneficial, says Dr. Talbott. It helps flush out bacteria and accelerate healing.
If you suffer from recurrent UTIs, you should speak with your physician, who might investigate further for other causes or contributors, including spermicidal agents and lower estrogen levels.
UTIs can be miserable, but you dont have to suffer. If youre experiencing symptoms, MDLIVE is an easy, convenient way to talk to a doctor without having to wait days for an appointmentfrom the comfort of your own home. Our doctors can talk to you about your symptoms, give you a diagnosis, and if a prescription is needed, send one straight to the pharmacy of your choice. Contact MDLIVE for a consult with a board-certified doctor via secure online video, phone, or the MDLIVE App today.
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Other Over The Counter Products For Uti Prevention
Some OTC products do not directly affect the progress of an acute infection, but could help to prevent UTIs in the future:
- Special probiotics to restore vaginal flora
- Bacterial biofilm-fighting molecules
However, it is crucial to address the reason you had a UTI happened in the first place.
There are multiple factors that can make you more prone to UTIs, such as certain contraceptive methods , diseases that affect vaginal health etc.
Therefore, a holistic approach to UTI prevention is more effective than just treating an acute infection.
Whats your favorite OTC UTI remedy that worked for you?
Written by Anastasia Visotsky, medically reviewed by Dr. Ogunyemi
Anastasia Visotsky
How Is A Uti Diagnosed
- The healthcare provider asks about your childs symptoms and health history. Your child is examined.
- A lab test, such as a urinalysis, is done. For this test, a urine sample is needed. It is checked for bacteria and other signs of infection. The urine is also sent for a culture. This is a test that identifies what bacteria is growing in the urine. It can take 1 to 3 days to get results of a urine culture. If the provider thinks your child has a UTI, the provider will likely start treatment even before lab results come back.
- If your child has severe symptoms, other tests may be done. Youll be told more about this, if needed.
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