Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are quite common in women of all ages. The anatomy of a woman’s body is different compared to a man and that makes a woman more susceptible to this condition than a man. A woman’s body also undergoes a lot of changes like menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and eventual menopause that increases the risks for her. UTIs are one of the common reasons for incontinence in women.
The good news is that UTIs are easily treatable. So once the infection subsides, the urinary incontinence problem corrects itself.
Common urinary tract infection symptoms include:
- burning sensation when passing urine & pain in the pelvis, back or abdomen
- general feeling of being unwell
- passing urine much more frequently than usual
- urinary incontinence
- cloudy, bloody or dark, foul smelling urine
UTI prevention
Some helpful tips for preventing UTIs.
- Drink lots of water and use the toilet as soon as you feel the need.
- Cleanse your genital area before sex.
- Urinate after sex to flush away any bacteria that may have entered your urethra.
- Avoid using feminine hygiene products such as sprays or douches.
- Take vitamin C or cranberry juice — they are said to be urinary antiseptics.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes