Most UTI’s are uncomplicated infections only involving the bladder and urethra, whereas complicated UTI’s involve the kidneys in women. Complicated UTI’s can include kidney stones, chronic kidney disease or recurrent UTI ‘s. Uncomplicated UTI’s are the most common and occur in women of child-bearing age.

The female anatomy is a set up for infections of the bladders. The bladder and its tubing, called the urethra, sit directly along the length of the vagina.  Urine exits the body through this very short tube. The opening of the urethra is tiny hole you right above the entrance into the vagina.  During vaginal intercourse bacteria from the vagina and rectum can easily find its way into the urethra and the bladder causing a urinary tract infection.

Other causes of UTI’s include spermicides, frequent antibiotic use, anatomical problems, genetic risks, and menopause.

Symptoms of a UTI include:

• Pain or burning with urination
• An urgency to urinate frequently but only passing a very small amount of urine
• Pain in you lower belly
• Urine looks red, pink, cloudy and has a bad odor
• Pain in your lower back
• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting

Severe back pain along with fever, chills, nausea and vomiting are more common symptoms in kidney or upper urinary tract infections

Sometimes it can be tricky to know if you have a UTI since symptoms can be subtle and not typical.  If you think something is up down there, see your health care provider to rule out a potentially dangerous unsuspecting UTI. A urine analysis and culture can easily make the correct diagnosis.

If you suspect a UTI and want to find some relief within the first 24 hours here are some useful suggestions.  A heating pad/hot water bottle over your lower abdomen, drinking a lot of water, avoiding coffee, alcohol and spicy food, taking over-the-counter urinary pain relief medication with phenazopyridine and ibuprofen and urinating frequently until you get the proper treatment may help ease some of the discomfort from a UTI.

Treatment of a UTI involves taking antibiotics to clear the bacteria responsible for the symptoms and infection.  Until you have a prescription in hand from your health care provider, you can get over-the-counter AZO which is a urinary pain reliever.

A UTI is treated with antibiotics for 3 to 7 days.  If a UTI is untreated, a UTI and, its disruptive symptoms, will last until it’s probably treated with antibiotics.

Healthy Vagina Smell

The key is to know what your “normal” smells like.  All of us with a vagina usually know that awkward feeling if a new and strange smell comes our way. The smell and taste of the vagina comes mostly from the fluids inside it. The taste is not quite sour, but somewhat astringent since the vagina is normally acidic. The normal pH balance is slightly acidic which helps protect the vagina from infections and odors.

Some describe the taste as being metallic due to the high levels of acidity. Ultimately, the taste and smell of the vagina depends on its pH levels.

The vagina is especially sensitive to different changes in your daily environment.  Anything that affects this delicate balance will affect the smell, type of discharge and its consistency.

Sexual Activity and a UTI

Since there is inflammation and tenderness in the bladder due to the infection, it’s best to wait 3 days, while you take the prescribed antibiotics, until you resume sexual activity.

Avoid a UTI after Intercourse

The female anatomy is a set up for infections of the bladders. The bladder and its tubing, called the urethra, sit directly along the length of the vagina.  Urine exits the body through this very short tube. The opening of the urethra is tiny hole you right above the entrance into the vagina.  During vaginal intercourse bacteria from the vagina and rectum can easily find its way into the urethra and the bladder causing a urinary tract infection.  It’s not completely understood why emptying your bladder after sex helps reduce the risk of a UTI but the thought is related to a woman’s plumbing.

Urinating after intercourse helps remove any bacteria that might have made their way into the urethra and bladder.  When you urinate, it helps unwanted bacteria leave the body and become less likely to multiply in the bladder causing an infection. Symptoms of a UTI can develop within 24 hours of having intercourse if bacteria end up where it should not be.

1. It’s best to urinate after
2. A general rule of thumb is to urinate every 2-3 hours or when you first feel the urge. Don’t hold in your urine for long periods of time.
3. The cleaner you and your partner’s genitals are the better.  This also includes washing your hands (and nails) if you plan on having any contact with the genital area.
4. Avoid excessive salvia, spermicides and lubricants in the genital area.
5. Avoid using a diaphragm, vaginal sponge, diva cup and sex toys if you are prone to UTI’s.
6. Avoid using feminine products that use perfumes and other irritating chemicals that bring disruptive bacteria.  Don’t douche!
7. Always remember to wipe “front to back” to avoid bringing unwanted bacteria from the anus to the vaginal area.
8. Wear underwear with a cotton crotch.
9. For recurrent UTI sufferers, you can take an antibiotic before intercourse to prevent future infections.
10. For women in menopause, vaginal estrogen can help hydrate the vagina making the tissue less prone to a UTI.
11. Stay hydrated!  Drink a lot of water to help keep urine and any unwanted bacteria moving out of your body quickly.
12. It can’t hurt to drink cranberry juice to help prevent UTI’s but the research is inconsistent on whether it truly helps.

Home remedies and a UTI

Home remedies can be helpful but may not completely treat a true UTI.

Don’t count on cranberry juice/tablets and Vitamin C! Cranberry juice and tablets can be helpful in preventing UTI’s by making the urine more acidic and preventing harmful bacterial from sticking to the walls of the bladder.  An acidic environment in the urine makes bacterial build up more difficult reducing your chance of getting a UIT.  Some medical studies have conflicting evidence to show cranberries are a reliable source of prevention. Cranberries and their helpful properties are a means of prevention, not treatment. Cranberries are not a dependable treatment option for any of the symptoms associated with a UTI.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant which suggests it may be protective against bacteria from building up in your bladder increasing your risk of a UTI.  Vitamin C should not be used to treat a UTI since it will not be effective at killing the bacteria responsible for the infection.

A heating pad/hot water bottle over your lower abdomen may help ease some of the discomfort from a UTI.  Drinking a lot of water, avoiding coffee and alcohol also helps until you get the proper treatment.

Other helpful over the counter remedies:

• De Manos helps prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall increasing your risk for UTI.
• Probiotics, Cranberry-mixed reviews, no true studies-but can’t hurt!
• Uqora is an effective natural drink with Vitamins C, B6, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium and D-Mannose, that helps flush away bacteria from the bladder that put you at risk for a UTI.