Urinary Tract Infection Questions and Answers (cont'd)
Q: Isn't drinking cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infection an old wives' tale?
A: Not necessarily. Cranberry juice and vitamin C make the urine more acidic, which makes it more difficult for bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections to grow. Cranberry juice also has another unique factor that helps prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder surface.
Q: Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections?
A: Some women are more prone to urinary tract infections than others because the cells in their vaginal areas and in their urethras are more easily invaded by bacteria. Your risk of urinary tract infection also is greater if you're past menopause because thinning of tissue covering the urethra after menopause may make the area less resistant to bacteria.
Irritation or injury to the vagina or urethra caused by sexual intercourse, douching, tampons or feminine deodorants can give bacteria a chance to invade. Using a diaphragm can cause irritation, and can interfere with the bladder's ability to empty, giving bacteria a place to grow. Constipation can lead to high levels of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in the rectum, increasing the risk that they could spread to the urinary tract.
Any abnormality of the urinary tract that blocks the flow of urine, such as a kidney stone, also can lead to an infection. Illnesses that affect the immune system also increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
Practicing good personal hygiene habits, including washing the areas around the bowel, vagina and urethra daily and wiping from front to back, can help avoid spreading bacteria to the urinary tract. Drinking plenty of water daily, urinating when you feel the need, rather than waiting, and urinating after sexual intercourse can help flush the system of bacteria.
Q: Are there any medications that can prevent my recurring infections?
A: If you have urinary tract infections three times a year or more, ask your health care professional about preventive antibiotic therapy. Taking a low dosage of antibiotics over a period of time, such as six months or longer, or a single dose after sexual intercourse sometimes is prescribed to head off infections. Or, you may take antibiotics for one or two days when you first notice signs of a urinary tract infection. Talk with your health care professional about which treatment may be best for you.
Copyright 2003
National Women's Health Resource Center Inc. (NWHRC).
