Preventing Recurrent UTIs

At Internal Medicine of Greater New Haven, our team understands the toll recurrent UTIs have on your everyday life. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.

Here’s what our team wants you to know about recurrent UTIs, what causes them, and how to minimize your chances of getting yet another one.

A brief overview of UTIs

UTIs occur when bacteria that live in your gastrointestinal tract make their way into your urethra or your bladder and begin to multiply.

Symptoms most often include:

A strong, persistent urge to urinate, but only being able to pass a small amount of urine
A burning sensation during urination
Persistent lower abdominal pressure
Urine that appears cloudy or milky
Urine with a strong odor or foul smell

Immediate treatment should prevent the infection from spreading to your kidneys and causing a very painful renal infection that can lead to serious health problems.

What causes recurrent UTIs?

Recurrent UTIs are defined as two urinary tract infections within 6 months or 3 or more in 1 year. Women are more likely than men to get UTIs because the female urethra is shorter and closer to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to travel both distances.

Other factors that can increase a woman’s risk of recurrent UTIs include:

Being sexually active
Having various sexual partners
Using a diaphragm or spermicide
Going through menopause
Not emptying the bladder fully
Lack of adequate hydration

Recurrent UTIs can also be a problem for women (and men) who have diabetes, lupus, or another chronic condition that compromises the function of the immune system.

Preventing recurrent UTIs

To prevent repeated infections, we advise our patients to:

1. Wipe front to back

Wiping from front to back after urinating helps prevent the accidental spread of bacteria from the anal region to the vagina and urethra.

2. Stay hydrated

Staying well-hydrated keeps your bladder tissues healthy and dilutes your urine, reducing the concentration of bacteria in your bladder. Drink enough water to keep your urine a pale yellow.

3. Don’t hold it in

Bacteria grow well in a warm and wet environment, and are more likely to multiply in your urinary tract if they’re not routinely flushed out. Don’t “hold it” when you need to pee; don’t wait and empty your bladder each time.

4. Urinate promptly after intercourse

Sexual intercourse increases a woman’s chances of getting a UTI because it provides an easy way for bacteria to enter the urethra. Urinating immediately after intercourse can reduce your risk of a UTI, as it flushes any newly introduced bacteria out of your body.

5. Switch your contraception

Certain contraceptives, such as diaphragms, spermicides, and non-lubricated condoms, may promote an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract. If you’re prone to UTIs and you use these methods, consider an alternative form of birth control.

6. Consider hormone therapy

If you’re postmenopausal and prone to UTIs, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the form of vaginal estrogen may be helpful.

7. Choose breathable underwear

Tight underweaer or those made of non-breathable materials can cause you to sweat and trap moisture near your genitals, creating the perfect, moist environment for bacteria to thrive.

8. Antibiotics

Taking a low dose of an antibiotic used to treat UTI is the most common way to deal with recurrences.

If you have a UTI, don’t wait to seek medical attention. Contact Internal Medicine of Greater New Haven today. We have 11 convenient Connecticut locations.