Urinary tract infection: causes, symptoms and treatments
Urinary tract infection can manifest itself by pain and burning sensations when you urinate. How to avoid it and how to treat it? We tell you more.
If there is one thing that we would like to avoid for sure, it is urinary tract infection , also called "cystitis". It is characterized by pain and burning sensations when you urinate and can lead to bleeding .
Urinary tract infection: what is it?
To put it simply, in the majority of cases, urinary tract infection in women is an inflammation of one or more parts of the urinary system (kidneys, bladder, urethra, ureters).
The first signs of a urinary tract infection or cystitis may be:
- Burning sensations when urinating, but this can also manifest as bleeding
- Stomach pain
- Fever
There are several types of urinary tract infections in women.
1/ The first is infectious cystitis , which is the most common in women. It is an inflammation of the bladder , which is caused by the proliferation of intestinal bacteria such as Escherichia coli , which are numerous around the anus, as specified by the Passportsanté website. This is why it is essential to have excellent personal hygiene .
2/ The second is infectious urethritis . It appears in most cases after sexual intercourse . Different infectious agents can cause urethritis, according to the specialized site. The most common are chlamydia and gonococcus.
The solution? Protect yourself during sexual intercourse, have good personal hygiene for both men and women and, if in doubt, consult a doctor.
3/ The third and probably the most serious is pyelonephritis . This is an infection in the renal pelvis - the area in the kidneys that collects urine - and in the kidneys. How is it caused? In most cases, it is a complication of untreated cystitis . Bacteria from the bladder travel up into the kidneys and cause the infection.
Men can also suffer from urinary tract infections . In men, it manifests itself as prostatitis , in short: an infection of the prostate. Prostatitis can cause fever, burning when urinating, frequent urge to urinate or difficulty urinating. It is therefore important to consult a doctor.
How to cure a urinary tract infection quickly?
At the slightest sign of cystitis , it is essential to consult a doctor and closely monitor the progress of the infection . A specialist will prescribe antibiotics for several days.
It is also advisable to drink plenty of water . This will allow you to go to the toilet quickly and thus eliminate bacteria as quickly as possible . If the pain persists, consult your doctor again.
What mistakes should be avoided?
In order to avoid a urinary tract infection as much as possible, there are certain mistakes to avoid:
- Don't urinate after sex: the sooner you go to the toilet, the less bacteria can remain
- Not having good personal hygiene
- Not drinking enough water
- Holding in urine
- Wearing damp or tight underwear: This can facilitate the growth of bacteria in the urinary system
- Urinary tract infections can also appear during your period, which is why it is essential to change your protection regularly and use the right products.
We therefore recommend that you wear reusable sanitary towels or menstrual panties made of bamboo fiber that will provide you with comfort, support and protection. The site adoptemaculotte.com offers a wide selection of menstrual panties.