Recurring Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are defined as at least two infections of the bladder within six months, or three infections or more in one year. According to the National Kidney Foundation, nearly 20 percent of females who have one urinary tract infection (UTI) will have another, and 30 percent of those who have had two will have a third. Of the last group, 80 percent will have recurrences throughout their lives.

One big cause of recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) is that women are experiencing an unresolved urinary tract infection (UTI) – which means the initial infection really hasn’t gone away fully. This happens when sufferers don’t take their prescription antibiotic treatment correctly or are being prescribed an antibiotic that doesn’t help to eradicate the specific type of bacterial strain (different antibiotics work better on certain types of bacteria than others).

Other risk factors for recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) include:

• Family history of recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Inability to empty the bladder completely (improper urination) for a variety of reasons
• Diabetes
• Abnormalities with the anatomy of the pelvis
• Chronic back pain/injury
• Getting first urinary tract infection (UTI) at a young age
• Larger kidney stones
• Sexual intercourse with multiple partners
• Menopause

The next time you experience a urinary tract infection (UTI), try to follow-up with your doctor upon completion of the antibiotic treatment to ask for a post-treatment culture. This urine test ensures that the infection is completely cleared from the urinary tract. Once the urine is clear of infection-causing bacteria, but you know that you seem to be at higher risk for recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs), talk to your physician about taking a low-dose antibacterial medicine to help prevent another immediate infection. The over-the-counter urinary medicine Cystex® contains methenamine, an antibacterial agent that attacks bacteria and helps prevent it from adhering to the lining of the bladder. Cystex® should be taken before activities or situations that you believe typically trigger your urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as sexual intercourse, back strain or during menopause. Your physician can work with you to decide if this is right for your situation.

There are also some lifestyle measures to help ward off future urinary tract infections (UTIs). Please take the time to learn about them by clicking here.