The female urinary tract is said to be very prone to infections because of its very short length. The internal environment is much more exposed to bacteria and impurities. This causes other parts of the female urinary tract to be greatly affected. Some of the common causes of the female urinary tract infections are bacteria from bowel, sex, holding urine for a long period of time.
Some of the usual signs and symptoms of female female urinary tract infection are pain when urinating that follows urge to urinate, little urine is released, blood-tinged urine, soreness of the lower back, lower abdomen, and sides of the body, and frequency in urinating. Your doctor could diagnose you properly by getting a sample of your urine and testing it for bacteria and white blood cells. You may also have to undergo a pelvic exam.
Available treatments for female urinary tract infections include antibiotics of about seven to ten variations. The antibiotics that are taken should be prescribed and taken according to dosage and length of time given by the doctor. If the antibiotics are stopped a few days before they are finished, there is still a possibility that the infection will return. To prevent female urinary tract infections, here are some tips that you have to consider:
1. Hygiene
Very good personal hygiene is one of the secrets in preventing female urinary tract infections. You should always make sure that you wash your hands before and after you use the bathroom. Always make sure that you wear clean underwear. You should also change sanitary napkins or panty shields regularly during the day so that bacteria may not proliferate in the pads that will enter your sensitive female urinary tract.
2. Fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, could definitely help you get rid of any infections in your female urinary tract. Everytime you urinate, it would be like rinsing a tube from the inside. This way, all present impurities and bacteria in your female urinary tract. Increasing your fluid intake will increase urinary frequency. This way, you can be assured that you will be able to rinse your female urinary tract a lot more efficiently.
3. Urinate
Not holding your urine helps you get rid of the wastes already stored in the urinary bladder. You should not hold it too long because the longer urine stays in your bladder, the more bacteria that is going to proliferate in your female urinary tract. When you feel the urge to urinate, then just release it.
4. After sex
Sexual intercourse is known to be one of the major causes of female urinary tract infections Before and after you have sexual intercourse, you have to urinate. This is to make sure that your female urinary tract is rid of any harboring bacteria already present there.
5. Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid increases the acidity of your female urinary tract. This lessens the bacteria that is present or may enter the urinary tract. Vitamin C also strengthens your immune system that makes you more resistant to any other forms of infection.
6. Cotton undies
Cotton underwear is breathable material that is ideal for your female urinary tract. It allows proper balance in the environment of your female urinary tract so less bacteria gets to harbor there. Synthetic material increases bacterial population. You should also avoid thongs because these cause abrasions that present as perfect entrance portals for bacteria.
7. Comfortable sex positions
You should choose sexual positions that won’t hurt or abrade your female urinary tract. Friction on the urethra causes abrasions and blisters that are entry points for bacteria.
8. Cranberry juice
Drinking cranberry juice is said to lessen the infections of the female urinary tract. The additional Vitamin C present in the juice also helps you prevent these infections.
Infections of the female urinary tract can be very annoying, bothersome, and embarrassing to have. It could also make your immune system weak because of all the antibiotics that you have to take all the time. You should always remember to consult your doctor immediately to make sure that the signs and symptoms are clarified and treated properly. Maintaining a very healthy lifestyle really helps you in dealing with female urinary tract infections. When you know how to take care of yourself, everything follows. Maybe it’s a given that women are indeed prone to female urinary tract infections but with proper guidance, women could avoid being regular female urinary tract infection victims. Try your best to be vigilant in following the tips given and you could finally lessen doctor visits and antibiotic treatments.