Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

What are recurrent urinary tract infections?

Your urinary tract is responsible for eliminating waste from your body in the form of urine. If an infection develops in any of the structures of your urinary tract, the condition is known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.

Recurrent UTIs describe infections that continue to interfere with the health of your urinary tract, even with treatment. You have recurrent UTIs if your infection doesn’t respond to traditional therapies.

You may be at increased risk for recurrent UTIs because of the structure of your anatomy, which makes it easy for bacteria to enter your urinary tract. Other risk factors for UTIs include the use of vaginal douches, sexual activity, and menopause.

What symptoms point to recurrent urinary tract infections?

With a UTI, you may experience discomfort or pain that you feel beneath your ribs, in your lower back, or in your pelvic area. 

Other common symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:

• Frequent urination
• Dark-colored urine
• Blood in the urine
• Burning sensations during urination

If the infection is untreated, it can travel into your kidneys and cause a high fever, persistent fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

How are recurrent urinary tract infections diagnosed?

To confirm your symptoms relate to a urinary tract infection, your physician takes a urine sample to check it for bacteria.

You may also need X-rays or an ultrasound of your kidneys to ensure the recurrent UTI isn’t causing damage to the organs.

A cystoscopy is a procedure your provider may perform to evaluate your bladder and urethra. They use a long, thin tube with an attached lens to view the structures and identify abnormalities that contribute to recurrent urinary tract infections.

How are recurrent urinary tract infections treated?

The providers at The Women's Center focus on preventive plan implantation to reduce your risk for recurrent urinary tract infections and prevent long-term complications like kidney damage and sepsis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the infection enters your bloodstream.

The primary treatment for a UTI is antibiotics to clear the infection. When you have a recurrent urinary tract infection, you may need a low-dose antibiotic that you must take for a longer period of time to relieve your existing symptoms and prevent new ones.

Because sexual activity can increase your risk for recurrent infections, you may also need to take a course of antibiotics each time you have sex. If your recurrent urinary tract infection is the result of menopause, you may need vaginal estrogen therapy.

Get help now for recurrent urinary tract infections by coming in to see The Women’s Center, PC, medical team. You can request an appointment online or call the office nearest you today.