Treating Your UTI: What Really Works?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect millions of women every year, causing uncomfortable symptoms like: 

• Belly pain 
• Persistent urge to urinate 
• Problems emptying the bladder 
• Burning sensations during urination

Without proper care, UTIs can cause more serious problems, along with worsening discomfort and pain.

At Feminine Urgicare, our team helps women find relief from UTIs while preventing future infections. 

In this post, learn the best way to treat a UTI and what steps to take to avoid them in the future.

Medical treatment is essential

If you have (or think you have) a UTI, seeking medical care is important for helping you feel better and for preventing serious complications, including kidney infections and damage. 

During your visit, we’ll take a urine sample and review your symptoms. In nearly every case, we’ll prescribe antibiotics that destroy the germs responsible for your infection. 

Antibiotic therapy is very effective in clearing up UTIs. However, it’s important to take all your medication as prescribed, even if your symptoms resolve before your medication is used up. Stopping therapy too early can cause the infection to recur, and this time, the bacteria causing the infection may not respond as well to antibiotic treatment.

If your UTI doesn’t respond to antibiotics or if you have recurrent UTIs, we may order diagnostic imaging or other lab tests to determine if you have an underlying issue that could be contributing to frequent infections.

Preventing UTIs: Finding what works

While medical treatment is important for treating an active UTI, you can take steps to reduce the risk of future infections.

1. Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated helps you urinate more often, flushing germs out of your urinary tract for faster healing. Aim for eight glasses of water daily, and avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks that can dehydrate you or irritate your bladder.

2. Wipe front to back

In women, the rectum and urethra are located very near each other. If you wipe from back to front, you can easily spread bacteria from your rectum to the urethra and into your urinary tract. That’s why you should always wipe from front to back after using the toilet.

3. Pee regularly

You’re busy at work or relaxing while catching up on your favorite TV show. Suddenly, you need to pee. While it can be tempting to hold it, urination helps wash away bacteria that cause UTIs. 

 

Putting off urination gives bacteria more time to multiply and increases the risk of infection. Instead, pee when needed, and aim to urinate about every 3-4 hours or roughly seven times daily.

4. Pee after sex

Sex often involves bodily fluids and skin-to-skin contact. That means bacteria can easily be transported from one partner to the other. Peeing after sex washes away bacteria that can be transmitted unknowingly during sex — including bacteria that can lead to UTis.

5. Avoid harsh chemicals

Personal cleansing products that contain harsh chemicals can disrupt the natural balance of “good” microorganisms that keep bacteria and other pathogens in check. Use mild soap and water when washing, and avoid products with fragrances or deodorants. 

6. Take showers instead of baths

Taking a hot bath sounds relaxing. However, all that soaking can dry out your skin, disrupting your skin’s natural protective barrier that helps ward off infections. Switch to showers instead, or limit the amount of time you sit in a hot bath.

Don’t ignore a UTI

If you have symptoms of a UTI, prompt medical treatment is essential for preventing kidney infections and other serious complications. 

To learn how we can help you treat a UTI and prevent future infections, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus and Clifton, New Jersey, today.