There is nothing to be embarrassed about. UTI's aren't just a nuisance, they can be serious if not treated! WHAT IS IT? The root cause of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) is usually bacteria growing in the urine within the bladder.
Urinary tract infections are extremely common and nothing to feel embarrassed about. Up 60% of women experience a UTI at some point during their lives. But, just because UTIs are common, doesn't mean you can put off seeing a doctor.
Bladder infections, the most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), doesn't mean you are dirty. UTIs happen when naturally occurring bacteria get into the bladder and fail to be disposed of by our immune system.
Lower UTIs are common and aren't usually a cause for major concern. Upper UTIs can be serious if left untreated, as they could damage the kidneys or spread to the bloodstream.
For your partner to understand your experience and support you, it's vital to speak honestly and openly about your UTIs. And if you do it right, it can actually make you feel closer to each other.
UTIs are not contagious nor sexually transmitted – that is you cannot catch them from another person – but some women do get them frequently and they can occur after sexual activity, when bacteria in the vaginal area get pushed near or into the urethra.
UTIs in Women
Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs, although fungi rarely can also infect the urinary tract. E. coli bacteria, which live in the bowel, cause most UTIs.
Bladder infections or urinary tract infections
If you have new, severe urinary symptoms, leave work and see your doctor. These symptoms can worsen quickly, causing nausea, headaches, and even kidney infections. Early antibiotic treatment is key.
How long does a UTI last untreated? Some UTIs will go away on their own in as little as 1 week. However, UTIs that do not go away on their own will only get worse over time. If you think you have a UTI, speak with a doctor about the best course of action.
Uncomplicated UTIs can go away in about a week. It's possible to try some home remedies to get relief during the recovery, but make sure to seek medical assistance if the signs of your UTI is going away fail to show. After all, you don't want a lower tract UTI to turn into an upper tract one.
Even if you're not having intercourse, fingering and oral sex can lead to infection. Ask your boyfriend to wash his hands before touching your genitals.
Take showers instead to help you relax and keep UTIs away — especially if you're a woman with a higher risk of UTIs. If your shower has a hand attachment, keep it pointed down rather than up when washing your genitals to prevent bacteria from going the wrong way.
Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. Avoid tight-fitting pants. Wear cotton-cloth underwear and pantyhose, and change both at least once a day.
Can UTIs go away on their own? It is not uncommon for UTIs to go away on their own without the use of antibiotics. Some research states that up to 42% of uncomplicated UTIs resolve without medical treatment. However, keep in mind that there are risks to leaving UTIs untreated.
Fatigue. Fatigue is a generic symptom that you may not associate with a UTI, but it's a classic sign of an infection. Many women experience fatigue before other symptoms of a UTI appear.
UTI s typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder. The urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria. But the defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
Generally speaking, these infections aren't contagious. It's highly unlikely for anyone to contract a UTI from a toilet seat, because the urethra in males and females wouldn't touch the toilet seat.
New evidence from the American Journal of Kidney Diseases linked prolonged sitting to kidney problems, including UTIs. According to the study, those who sit less and exercise more has the lowest risk of developing urinary complications.
Additionally, a number of common foods and drinks — artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, acidic fruits, citrus, or caffeinated drinks — can irritate your bladder, and may worsen UTI symptoms — so you should steer clear of them if you have signs of a bladder infection.
It should never be painful when you pass urine or a bowel motion. Pain can be an indication of infection (e.g. a urinary tract infection – UTI), constipation, muscle tension or could be due to skin problems (tears in the skin e.g. anal fissures, or dermatological issues e.g. vulvovaginitis).
The good news is that UTIs are not contagious. So, you cannot give a UTI to your partner should you decide to have sex. "Certain bacteria that get into the urethra can be passed back and forth, but those are not true UTI bacteria—they're STI [sexually transmitted infection] bacteria," acknowledged Dr. Wallace.
The likely reason for the woman's bladder infection is rubbing during sex that can irritate the opening of her urethra and make it even easier for bacteria to enter. You can help your partner avoid bladder infections by changing sexual positions to minimize irritation.
Here are three ways a dirty bed could harm your health: Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found on human skin, but if this bacteria enters the body may develop illnesses such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and bacteria in the bloodstream.