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UTI FAQs

  • What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

    • A UTI is an infection in the urinary tract, such as the kidneys, bladder and urethra. Usually, the bacteria that cause a UTI enter the urethra and may travel to the bladder and kidneys. Your body often removes these bacteria, so there may not even be symptoms. But when they continue to reside in the bladder, they can cause irritation, which leads to an infection.
      Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/bladder-infection#Overview1

  • What are the symptoms of a UTI?

    • The telltale signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) include frequent urination, urgency to urinate, burning, accompanied sometimes by back and side pain. If these classic urinary tract infection symptoms are present, it is important to get to a health care professional quickly.
      Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/urinary-tract-infection-adults
    • You can help alleviate the pain with Cystex® Plus Urinary Pain Relief Tablets, a unique over-the-counter medication that is the only one with a dual-action formula that combines pain relief with an antibacterial to help stop the progression of the infection. Learn more about Cystex Plus Urinary Pain Relief Tablets.

  • What causes a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

    • Urine is typically sterile. An infection occurs when bacteria get into the urine and begin to grow. The infection usually starts at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract. Anyone can develop a UTI, but the following can increase the likelihood of developing one:
      • Sexual Intercourse
      • Poor personal hygiene
      • People with problems emptying the bladder
      • Having a urinary catheter
      • Pregnancy
      • Menopause
      • Some forms of contraception including diaphragms
      • Immobility for extended periods of time

      Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/urinary_tract_infection/page2.htm

  • Why do females have urinary tract infections (UTIs) more often than men?

  • I have a UTI, now what?

    • Anyone who develops any of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection needs to be evaluated by a medical professional, preferably within 24 hours. Most medical offices can test urine for infection by using a quick urine “dip and read” test. The usual treatment for both simple and complicated urinary tract infections is antibiotics. The type of antibiotic and duration of treatment depend on the circumstances.
      Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/urinary_tract_infection/page2.htm

  • Is a UTI a sexually transmitted disease?

    • No, a urinary tract infection is a bladder infection, not a sexually transmitted disease. Sexual activity can lead to a UTI, but generally sexual partners do not need to be treated. For more information, visit the About Urinary Tract Infections page.

  • Does having sex cause UTIs?

    • Sex is a common cause of UTIs in women because sexual intercourse introduces bacteria into a woman’s urinary tract. During sex, the urethra comes into contact with the bacteria from the genital area and anus, allowing them to enter the urethra, the bladder, and possibly eventually the kidneys, and result in an infection. Urinary tract infections have been nicknamed “honeymoon cystitis” — cystitis is another name for an infection of the bladder — because frequent intercourse often leads to the development of a UTI. Learn more about the Sex & UTI connection here.
      Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/urinary-tract-infections/the-link-between-utis-and-sex.aspx

  • Can drinking cranberry juice cure a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

  • I feel like I’m the only one of my friends that gets urinary tract infections (UTIs)? What gives…am I the only one?

    • To the contrary, the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports that urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for more than 8.1million doctor visits each year, making it the second most common type of infection in the body. Moreover, the NIDDK reports that “20 percent of women who have one UTI will have another, and 30 percent of this group will have yet another,” making recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) an issue. So while you might be prone, you’re not alone.

  • What is the connection between menopause and UTIs?

    • The drop in estrogen levels associated with symptoms of the menopausal transition can affect the urinary system. Like the vaginal wall, the urethra (the tube that drains the bladder and is used for urination) undergoes changes as estrogen levels drop. These changes in the urethra may lead to different kinds of urinary symptoms, including an increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections. If you are experiencing urinary symptoms, talk to your doctor about treatment options. Drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding overfilling of the bladder, and emptying the bladder before and after sexual intercourse can also help prevent urinary tract infections from occurring.
      Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=77744