If you:
- Keep needing the bathroom every so often
- Feel like your bladder’s about to burst, but nothing happens when you go to the bathroom
- Have a painful, burning sensation when you pee
You may have a urinary tract infection, also known as a UTI.
UTIs are annoying, inconvenient, painful, and common. According to the Urology Care Foundation, one in three women and one in eight men will develop a UTI at some point in life and the risk only rises with age.
What is a urinary tract infection?
A UTI happens when bacteria infect any part of the urinary system.
The urinary system begins with the kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped organs positioned on either side of the spine. The kidneys filter waste material out of the blood and send it through narrow tubes, called ureters, to the bladder, a sort of bag that collects and stores the waste.
When full, the bladder releases this waste into another narrow tube, called the urethra. The urethra drains the waste out of the body in the form of urine.
The most common form of UTI occurs in the bladder. It is called cystitis.
UTIs are more common in women than in men
This is mainly because of the length of the urethra and its distance from the anus.
Women’s urethras are short, around 1.5-2 inches in length. Men’s urethras are 7-8 inches long. The short urethra in women makes it easier for germs to reach the bladder, where urine stored at body temperature provides an ideal environment for bacteria to flourish, leading to infections.
The distance between the urethral opening and the rectal opening, or anus, is also shorter in women. This raises the risk of cross-contamination and transferring germs from fecal waste into the urethra, especially when wiping back-to-front after a bowel movement.
In men, especially older men, an enlarged prostate is a frequent cause of UTIs. The urethra runs through the middle of the prostate gland and when this gland becomes enlarged, it tightens around the urethra, making it difficult for urine to go through.
Check if your urinary tract is doing ok
You can gauge the health of your urinary tract with a simple at-home test. Just pee into an opaque white container, such as a paper cup, and examine the color, smell, and general appearance of your urine.
Is a UTI different from a kidney infection?
Cystitis, or a bladder infection, is painful and a nuisance, but generally harmless. It is not contagious and cannot be passed on to a partner during sexual activity.
When an infection travels up and settles in either one or both kidneys, then it can become a serious problem that needs medical attention. Some signs indicating a UTI has progressed to kidney infection may be:
- Pain in the lower back, sides, and genital area
- Feeling tired and feverish, with chills
- Discolored, cloudy, foul-smelling urine
- Pain during sexual activity
- Nausea and vomiting
Note
Like UTIs, kidney infections are NOT contagious, and they CANNOT be passed to a partner during sexual intercourse.
How are UTIs and kidney infections treated?
Your doctor might have a sample of your urine analyzed. This is called a urinalysis and it is used to check for infections, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, and liver damage.
Because UTIs and kidney infections are caused by bacteria, your healthcare provider might prescribe antibiotics. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and the infection should clear up quickly and easily.
UTIs are preventable with proper hygiene
Maintaining good hygiene is the first step toward keeping UTIs and kidney infections at bay. It is very important to:
- Change your underclothing regularly.
- Wash the external genital area regularly. Ladies, remember that the inside of the vagina is self-cleaning. There is no need to introduce bacteria into the vagina with douches or deodorants.
- Ensure you and your partner wash your respective genital areas before sexual activity.
- Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom, especially after a bowel movement.
3 Basic Dos and Don’ts for Kidney and Urinary Tract Infections
Do
- Drink lots of water to keep your kidneys well-flushed. Not drinking enough water causes waste to build up in your kidneys, which may eventually turn into kidney stones.
- Wash the genital area before and after engaging in sexual activity. Always pee after sex and always try to empty your bladder completely.
- Wear loose clothing and cotton underwear. Cotton fabric is absorbent and lets air circulate, which prevents bacteria from multiplying.
Don’t
- Assume a UTI or kidney infection will go away on its own. These infections are caused by bacteria and your doctor will most likely prescribe an antibiotic as treatment.
- Hold it in. It’s okay once in a while, but sometimes people get fed up with going to the bathroom again and again, so they begin holding pee in as a habit.
- Sit around in damp underwear, sportswear, or swimsuits for too long, especially if they’re made of synthetic fabric.
Kidney infections and UTIs are aggravating and distressing, but with proper care, you can keep from developing them. Talk to your doctor about a preventative healthcare regime for kidney health.