Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common infections that can cause a variety of symptoms, including an unpleasant burning sensation when you urinate.
While UTIs are common, particularly for women, you can lower your risk of infection by practicing good urinary tract health habits.Â
Although maintaining good urinary tract health might not sound like the most glamorous aspect of your personal wellbeing, it’s an important part of preventing infections and making sure your urinary system functions properly.Â
Below, we’ve explained why it’s so important to maintain good urinary tract health. We’ve also shared 15 practical tips, tactics and habits that you can use to reduce your UTI risk and keep your urinary system as healthy as possible.Â
Your urinary system, which is made up of your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, is one of the most important parts of your body. Its job is to filter your blood and remove waste that’s produced by the breakdown of any food and liquid that you consume.
A healthy urinary system is essential for keeping you hydrated, regulating your production of key hormones and chemicals, controlling your red blood cell production and regulating your blood pressure.
Your urethra — the tube that connects your bladder to an opening just above your vaginal opening — is a common location for infections referred to as urinary tract infections, or UTIs.
These develop when bacteria or other pathogens enter into your urethra and multiply, or when urine pools up in your bladder and allows bacteria to grow.
UTIs are very common, especially for women. In fact, research shows that 50 percent to 60 percent of women experience at least one UTI at some point in their lifetime. In comparison, only around 13 percent to 14 percent of men develop a UTI.
While most UTIs are treatable using antibiotics, infections that are left untreated can spread to your kidneys and bloodstream, potentially causing severe symptoms.
Luckily, UTIs and other urinary tract issues are usually preventable. In fact, making a few small changes to your habits and lifestyle can help you to significantly reduce your risk of developing a UTI.
Although UTIs are usually easy to treat, it’s generally better to prevent them from developing in the first place by taking few precautions than to treat them after they develop.
This is because some antibiotics used to treat UTIs can cause side effects. There are also risks associated with using antibiotics too often, including the risk of developing an antibiotic-resistant infection that’s more difficult to treat in the future.
Luckily, reducing your risk of developing a urinary tract infection or other urinary health issues is usually a relatively simple process.Â
Below, we’ve provided 15 tips, habits and lifestyle changes that you can use to maintain optimal urinary tract health and reduce your risk of developing a UTI:
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are a common type of infection, especially for women. Even if you practice good urinary health habits such as those mentioned above, it’s relatively common to develop a UTI at some point in your life.
You may have a higher risk of developing a UTI if you’re pregnant, have recently changed your sexual partner, are going through menopause or have previously had one or several UTIs.
Common symptoms of a UTI include a feeling or pain or burning while you urinate, a frequent need to urinate, blood in your urine and pressure or cramps that occur in your lower abdomen and pelvis area.
You may also feel a persistent need to urinate throughout the day, even if you don’t have any urine in your bladder.
UTIs tend to develop in your bladder, but they can spread to your kidneys. When this happens, you may also experience chills, fever, nausea, vomiting and pain in your lower back.
If you think you may have a UTI, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. You can also seek treatment from a US-licensed healthcare provider via our online primary care platform.Â
Since UTIs are often caused by bacteria, they’re usually treated using antibiotics. Your healthcare provider will choose the most appropriate antibiotic for you based on your symptoms, health history and the bacteria that’s causing your infection.
If you’re prescribed an antibiotic, make sure that you closely follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider. Take all of the antibiotics you’re prescribed, even if your symptoms go away before the end of treatment.Â
Stopping antibiotics early or leaving them for later could cause your infection to return, making it more difficult to treat in the future.Â
If you have a recurring UTI, make sure to tell your healthcare provider as soon as you can. Your healthcare provider may prescribe different antibiotics, or recommend taking antibiotics daily or after sex as a preventative measure against infection.
Although UTIs are generally easy to treat, it’s always best to prevent infections from developing in the first place.
Simple habits, such as keeping yourself hydrated, urinating often, wiping from front to back and practicing good hygiene at all times and especially during your period can make a big impact towards reducing your risk of developing a urinary tract infection.Â
If you think you might have a UTI, talk to your healthcare provider. You can also seek treatment from a US-licensed healthcare provider using our online primary care platform.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.