How can I prevent a chronic urinary tract infection?
- urinate as often as needed (especially after intercourse)
- wipe front to back after urinating.
- drink plenty of water to flush bacteria out of your system.
- drink cranberry juice daily.
- wear cotton underwear.
- avoid tight-fitting pants.
What are the causes of chronic urinary tract infections?
A UTI is the result of a bacterial infection. In most cases, the bacteria enter the urinary system through the urethra, and then they multiply in the bladder. It’s helpful to break down UTIs into bladder and urethral infections to better understand how they develop.
Bladder infections
The bacteria E. coliis a common cause of infections of the bladder, or cystitis. E. coli normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. In its normal state, it doesn’t cause any problems. However, if it finds its way out of the intestines and into the urinary tract, it can lead to infection.
This usually happens when tiny or even microscopic bits of feces get into the urinary tract. This might happen during sex. For example, this can happen if you switch between anal and vaginal sex without cleaning in between. Anal sex increases your UTI risk significantly. Bladder infections can also develop from toilet water backsplash or by improper wiping. Foamy urine can also signal an issue.
Urethral infections
Also known as urethritis, infections of the urethra could be due to bacteria such as E. coli. Urethritis can also be the result of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), however, this is rare. STIs include:
- herpes
- gonorrhea
- chlamydia
Who is at risk for a chronic urinary tract infection?
Women
Chronic UTIs are most common in women. This is due to two different aspects of basic human anatomy.
First, the urethra is close to the rectum in women. As a result, it’s extremely easy for bacteria from the rectum to reach the urethra, particularly if you wipe back to front instead of front to back. This is why young girls often get UTIs. They haven’t learned how to wipe properly.
Second, a woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s. This means that bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to get to the bladder, where they can multiply and more readily cause infection.
Lifestyle
There are lifestyle factors that can put you at extra risk of developing a chronic UTI, like using a diaphragm during sex. Diaphragms push up against the urethra, making it harder to fully empty your bladder. The urine that doesn’t empty is more likely to grow bacteria.
Another example is constantly changing the bacterial makeup of the vagina. This can increase your risk of developing a chronic UTI. If you regularly use any of the following products, then you’re changing your vaginal bacteria:
- vaginal douches
- spermicides
- certain oral antibiotics
Men
Men are much less likely than women to get a UTI, either acute or chronic. The most common reason men develop chronic UTIs is an enlarged prostate. When the prostate is enlarged, the bladder does not empty completely which can cause bacteria to grow.
Both men and women that have problems with bladder muscle function, known as neurogenic bladder, are also at risk for chronic UTIs due to retention of urine. This condition can occur as a result of injury to the nerves to the bladder or injury to the spinal cord.
Menopause
Menopause can cause similar problems in some women. Menopause causes hormone changes that can cause changes in your vaginal bacteria. This can increase your risk of chronic UTIs. There are also other risks for UTIs in older adults.
How is a chronic urinary tract infection diagnosed?
If you have a chronic UTI, you probably had a UTI in the past.
Performing lab tests on a sample of urine is the most common method doctors use to diagnose UTIs. A medical professional will examine the sample of urine under a microscope, looking for signs of bacteria.
In a urine culture test, a technician places a urine sample in a tube to encourage the growth of bacteria. After one to three days, they’ll look at the bacteria to determine the best treatment.
If your doctor suspects kidney damage, they may order X-rays and kidney scans. These imaging devices take pictures of parts inside your body.
If you have recurring UTIs, your doctor may want to perform a cystoscopy. In this procedure, they’ll use a cystoscope. It’s a long, thin tube with a lens at the end used to look inside your urethra and bladder. Your doctor will look for any abnormalities or issues that could cause the UTI to keep coming back.