A urinary tract infection [UTI] concerns the organs that produce urine and carry it out of the body. These organs include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra (see diagram). Most urinary tract infections occur due to bacteria and the most commonly infected organ is the bladder, causing a bladder infection. Women are also prone to cystitis, an irritation or inflammation of the opening to the urethra causing a great deal of discomfort.

Causes

Since bacteria can more easily reach their bladder, women are much more likely than men to develop a urinary tract infection. A woman's urethra is much shorter than a man's, so bacteria have a much shorter distance to travel to get into the bladder. Also, the location of a woman's urethra near her rectum makes it much easier for bacteria to cause infections. Logically, women who are sexually active have an especially high rate of urinary tract infections because of bacteria exposure. Using diaphragms and spermicides can change the normal bacterial composition around the urethra and make infection more likely, as well.

Symptoms

Urinary tract infections cause many symptoms. These symptoms can include:

• A burning sensation while urinating
• Bloody, cloudy, or dark urine
• Urine that smells poorly
• Leaking urine
• More frequent urination
• Feeling pressure to urinate but not being able to

If left untreated, a urinary tract infection can progress to the kidneys where symptoms can include fever, pain in the back or side below the ribs, nausea, or vomiting. Through paying close attention to one's body and detecting a urinary tract infection early, complications and further infections can be avoided.

Treatment

If you experience any of these symptoms then it is important that you contact a physician immediately. After contacting a physician, the doctor will ask you about your present symptoms and about your medical history, including your sexual history. A doctor will be able to diagnose a urinary tract infection based on one's symptoms, a physical examination, and a simple laboratory test that can determine if bacteria are present in your urine.

Once diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, a person is relieved of symptoms within 2 - 3 days, though may require medication for longer. Simple urinary tract infections are treated with a course of antibiotics. The drug choice and length of treatment vary with a patient's history and which offending bacteria cause the infection. The most commonly used drugs to treat uncomplicated UTIs include: trimethoprim (Trimpex), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox), nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin) and ampicillin. In addition to these drugs, a new class of drugs called quinolones which were approved recently for treating UTI include: ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and trovafloxin (Trovan). Patients with more severe urinary tract infections may require hospitalization in order to be administered antibiotics intravenously. This is rare, and only happens if fever, vomiting, or nausea increase the risk of dehydration or prevent a patient from taking oral antibiotics. There has also been research that drinking sixteen 8-ounce glasses of cranberry juice per day may help cure some simple urinary tract infections. Though not a treatment, cranberry juice is acidic, therefore will foster an environment that is less inclined to breed bacteria.

Prevention

Urinary tract infections can become a serious and painful problem. However, there are many simple measures that can help prevent these infections. Drinking plenty of water, or cranberry juice, and not holding on allows for the urinary tract to be continually cleansed. For cranberry juice to be effective in maximizing an environment, the juice needs to come from fresh whole cranberries, not diluted processed cranberry juice.

Before sex, cleanse the genital area in order to avoid the introduction of bacteria. While having sex, try using a small amount of lubricant if you are dry, and after sex urinate immediately in order to wash away bacteria. Urine is acidic, again fostering an acidic environment.

Never use harsh soap, scented douches, or scented sprays that are not specifically designed for vaginal use. For additional information regarding soap and the vagina, learn more at www.sweetspotlabs.com/soap. Always wipe from front to back after bowel movements in order to avoid bacteria exposure.

If a woman is experiencing recurring urinary tract infections then ask your physician if he or she recommends taking daily low doses of an antibiotic such as TMP/SMZ for six months or longer. You may also want to ask if taking a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual intercourse may help in preventing future UTIs.

SweetSpot Labs® understands the delicate balance of a healthy eco-system to ensure and maintain sexual wellbeing, something intimately tied to a woman's sense of overall health. Please share this information to help other woman know their bodies better and offer alternative ways to address what is a common concern for many active women today.

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Disclaimer: Content provided in these essays regarding health or health matters has not been evaluated or approved by a board certified physician. Although we believe that all of the information contained in this essay is entirely correct and factual, we are not doctors and highly recommend consulting a physician regarding any medical problems or treatments.