As per the American Urological Association and National Institutes of Health, the risk of woman's to develop a UTI in women lifetime is between the 40 and 50%, especially those among the newly sexually active and those in their menopause. Women who are pregnant, obese, or have the certain chronic illnesses are also at a higher risk for more frequent infection.
With each UTI, the chances of experiencing another will be on rise. The infections are usually characterized by the burning sensation while urinating, more frequent urination, and also an urgent feeling when they are in need to go. They may also find themselves waking up at the night for multiple trips to the bathroom or may notice their urine has a foul odor.
Signs of progressing a UTI include:
lower back pain
blood in the urine
abdominal pain
Fever
chills
"Chills and back pain could mean the infection has spread to your kidneys," said Michael Ingber, M.D., a board-certified urogynecologist at The Center for Specialized Women's Health in Morristown, NJ.
Not all the UTI’s or their causes are the same. But infections can happen in the three various parts of the urinary tract: the urethra, bladder, and also kidneys.
"The most common UTI-causing bacteria is the E. coli found in our gut," said Dr. Ingber, adding to that the other more aggressive bacteria, like staph can cause UTI’s too.
Some women are more prone to UTI’s than the others
Your unique anatomy means that UTI’s may peak twice in your life, becoming more likely when you are first sexually active and then again around your menopause. Younger women who have been infected are more prone for developing the cystitis or bladder infections if E. coli gets pushed from the urethra into the bladder.
In the middle-aged women, the hormones can provide a good welcoming environment for the UTI’s.
"When estrogen levels decline, the vaginal pH increases, or otherwise becomes more alkaline. This is an environment where E. coli and other bacteria like to grow," said Dr. Ingber.
Pregnant women and also those with the immune-compromising diseases or the conditions like diabetes or obesity should get the UTI check-ups more often. They may also need more aggressive UTI treatment to prevent the kidney infections from developing.
Other conditions which have similar symptoms
Sexually transmitted diseases as like chlamydia and also herpes can cause the urethritis, or inflammation of the urethra, which presents the similarly to a UTI.
The interstitial or the non-infectious cystitis, which also have the similar symptoms. They affect nearly 6 million women annually, according to Dr. Ingber.
Kidney stones, Kidney anatomic problems, or the inflamed pouch on urethra may also mimic a UTI. Only the doctor's office tests will help to distinguish between UTI’s and these of other problems in order to get the right care.
If UTI symptoms may persist or worsen despite of the antibiotic treatments, get checked the right away to rule out more number of serious conditions.
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