Urinary tract infection in women is one of the most common diseases of the urinary system among women. Follow us to learn about the symptoms of urethral infections and ways to treat inflammation easily.
Women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections than men, as more than half of the world's women get urinary tract infections at least once during their lives, and the most important reason for this is that the female urethra is short and closer to the rectum compared to what it is in men, and therefore the bacteria are able to From entering the urethra more easily and multiplying to cause a bacterial infection in one of the sections of the urinary system in females.
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection in women
Urinary tract infection usually presents with several symptoms and signs. When a woman has an infection in the urinary tract, she will feel many disturbing urinary symptoms such as heartburn and other symptoms, and although this matter may seem somewhat disturbing, it allows women to detect infection early in order to start Treat it quickly.
Symptoms vary Inflammation of the urinary tract From one woman to another, depending on the severity of the infection and the location of the infection on the urinary track, as the urinary system in females consists of the kidneys that connect with the ureters and then the bladder that ends with the urethra. Inflammation may affect any part of these parts, and most infections often occur in women at At the level of the bladder, cystitis is usually limited to annoying and painful symptoms only and its treatment is easy compared to kidney infection, which is the most dangerous type of urinary tract infection and may be associated with serious life-threatening complications when neglected.
Let us mention together the most important and common symptoms of urinary tract infection in women:
- Feeling pain or burning while urinating
- Sensation of an urgent urge to urinate with no large amount of urine in the bladder
- Foul-smelling urine with a cloudy colour
- Frequent urination, which may awaken the woman from her sleep
- Bleeding with urine (in this case, you should consult a doctor immediately)
- A feeling of pressure or discomfort in the pelvic area or lower back around the abdomen
- When the infection spreads to the kidneys, general fatigue with fever (raising my temperature) may occur.
- Pain and dyspareunia in married women
In the event that you feel one of these symptoms, it is best to see your specialist doctor to find out the causes that led to the appearance of these signs and to prescribe an appropriate treatment for your condition.
Causes of urinary tract infection in women
Urinary tract infection occurs Urinary tract infection When a pathogenic bacteria enters your urinary system, after which this bacteria multiplies in one of the parts of the urethra until its number increases and becomes more powerful, your body's immunity tries to confront and eliminate these germs by causing an inflammatory process, which leads to the emergence of symptoms of urinary tract infection.
Germs are often able to enter the urinary tract through the urethra, which forms the lower and final section of the passage of urine to the outside of the body. Urinary tract infection is more common in women.
It is often the source of the bacteria that cause inflammation of the urethra; In women, it is a bacteria that reached the urethra from the stool. We also find that the rectum in women is located near the urethra, and therefore the stool germs do not need to travel long distances until they reach the urinary tract and cause a urinary infection.
The most common germ that causes cystitis is E. coli. Let's learn more about the causes and factors that increase women's risk of urinary tract infection (UTI):
- Not paying attention to personal hygiene
- wiping from back to front after a bowel movement (this may spread fecal germs into the urethra)
- Weak immunity (diabetes, malnutrition)
- Pregnancy (due to the large size of the uterus and its pressure on the bladder, which may lead to urine retention and backflow)
- Overweight and obesity
- An obstruction leading to urinary tract obstruction (such as the presence of kidney stones)
- Advancing age and going through menopause (menopause)
- Drink small amounts of water
- A previous urinary tract infection
- Long-term use of urinary catheters
- Multiple sexual partners
What was previously mentioned are causes and factors that increase the possibility and chances of developing a urinary tract infection in women, but it is not necessary that urethritis is limited to women who have a risk factor for these factors, as inflammation can affect all women without exception, In general, married women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections than single women, due to some wrong practices such as the use of contaminated contraceptives or unsafe intercourse, which may also causeFor vaginitis for married women.
How to treat urinary tract infection in women
As for how to treat a urinary tract infection, it differs from one case to another according to the severity of the infection, the general health condition of the patient, and the type of attacking germs. The treatment may be very simple and the woman will recover from the infection within a short period, while the treatment may become more complicated in severe cases of urinary tract infection, especially when infected. The upper part, specifically one of the kidneys, is infected. We mention the most common methods used to treat urinary tract infections in women:
Urinary tract infection treatment at home for women
In most cases of urinary tract infection in women, doctors prescribe antibiotics. These drugs kill the attacking bacteria and discourage their reproduction, which contributes to getting rid of the symptoms of urinary tract infection and recovery from this disease.
The choice of the best antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infection in women depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection, which is determined by the doctor through a urine sample examination of the patient, but amoxicillin is often considered Amoxicillin It is the medicine most commonly used to treat urinary tract infections for women, but it is not necessarily suitable for all women. Other medicines used for treatment include:
- Ceftriaxone
- Ciprofloxacin
- levofloxacin
- Sulfamethoxazole
These medicines are similar to those used in: Urinary tract infection treatment in menAnd remember that the best type of medicine and the necessary dose will be determined by the doctor. One of the common mistakes that many men and women make is taking anti-inflammatory drugs at random without consulting a specialized doctor, and this would lead to many problems, such as the formation of bacterial resistance to antibacterial drugs.
Treatment of urinary tract infection in women with natural herbs
The main goal of using herbs is to alleviate the symptoms experienced by women who have had a urinary tract infection. It is not possible to rely on herbs to treat urinary tract infection in women, but rather it is just an aid in treatment along with antibiotics.
Garlic is characterized by its anti-inflammatory and oxidative properties, as well as cranberry herb, which is useful in relieving inflammation in the body. Among the herbs used are also bearberry and horsetail.
Treatment of urinary tract infections in pregnant women
The difference that makes the treatment of urinary tract infection in pregnant women a little different from the treatment of inflammation for other women is how to choose the appropriate medications, because some medications may cause teratogenic effects that harm the fetus, so choose the medications carefully by the doctor.
Amoxicillin or Cephalexin is often used Cephalexin For the treatment of urinary tract infections in pregnant women.
Complications of a urinary tract infection for women
In most cases, urinary tract infection is not accompanied by serious complications that cause concern, and the inflammation usually resolves after a period of treatment, but in some severe cases of untreated urinary tract infections, complications may occur that may threaten the function of the urinary system in the woman and even her life. Among these complications:
- Recurrence of urinary tract infection several times per year
- The spread of infection to the kidneys and the occurrence of kidney failure
- Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
- Abscesses form in the urinary tract
- The bacteria may spread to the blood and cause life-threatening sepsis
Prevention of urinary tract infections in women
You can reduce your chances of getting a UTI by following these tips:
- Avoid wiping from back to front after urinating or defecating (to prevent germs from passing into the urethra)
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid prolonged retention of urine in the bladder
- Washing the genitals and maintaining personal hygiene
- Urinating immediately after intercourse (to eliminate bacteria in the event of transmission to the urinary tract)
Urinary tract infection and pregnancy
Urinary tract infection that affects a pregnant woman is given special importance for fear of the repercussions of the infection and its possible impact on the fetus in the mother’s womb.
The possibility of infection of the urinary tract increases in pregnant women, due to the hormonal changes that occur in the pregnant woman, as well as the result of the enlarged uterus that puts pressure on the bladder, which impedes the flow of urine and leads to urinary retention.
neglected handling inflammation of the urethra; In pregnant women, it may lead to the development of worrisome complications, such as early miscarriage or the birth of a premature baby, and other complications. Therefore, during pregnancy, a woman should see a doctor when she feels signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection appear so that he prescribes appropriate medications for her and monitors her health and that of her fetus.
In conclusion, urinary tract infection in women is one of the most common inflammatory diseases among females. Urinary tract infection presents with many disturbing symptoms, such as difficulty urinating, burning sensation, and several other symptoms. Infection. Urinary tract infection is often treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. If not treated properly, it may progress to serious complications such as kidney damage.
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