How to Prevent Recurrent UTIs

The only thing that’s worse than a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a recurrent UTI that keeps flaring back up over and over. Symptoms like a constant need to urinate and blood in your urine leave you uncomfortable and anxious about the health and function of some of your most intimate biology.

Women are at particular risk of UTIs, and recurrent UTIs can become a problem that intrudes uncomfortably into your life.

At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, Dr. Mary Grace Bridges provides caring and compassionate gynecological treatment to new and existing patients from her offices in Odessa and Midland, Texas. If you’re dealing with recurrent UTIs or UTI symptoms, she can help you understand the causes of the issue, and how to break the cycle of your discomfort.

Why you have recurrent UTIs

Your urinary tract can become inflamed, irritated, or infected in multiple locations. Because of the physical structure of women’s urinary and reproductive systems, women are at greater risk of contracting a UTI than men. Women are also more likely to suffer from recurrent UTIs as a result of the relative shortness of the female urethra.

If you’re dealing with recurring UTIs, you should know that it’s probably not due to anything you’re doing wrong when it comes to genital or urinary hygiene. UTIs are most commonly caused by Escherichia coli bacteria naturally found in your intestines.

Because women’s urethras are positioned with less distance from the urethra to the intestines than in male morphology, bacteria are more easily able to spread through the vaginal area to enter the urethra and the urinary tract, resulting in a UTI. Sexual activity may correlate with UTIs for this reason. Men can also suffer from UTIs.

You may be prone to UTIs for several reasons, including sexual activity. Your pre- or post-menopausal status also matters, as your body’s bacteria levels naturally shift due to menopause, leaving you more vulnerable to UTIs.

Getting rid of UTIs for good

Symptoms like cloudy or strong-smelling urine don’t have to pursue you each time you’re sexually active. Dr. Bridges can advise you on a treatment and prevention plan that will work for you and reduce the recurrence of your UTI symptoms.

UTIs can be treated successfully with antibiotics. After addressing active UTIs, Dr. Bridges reviews your health history and risk factors, and helps you strategize effective prevention strategies for you to use going forward. These may include hormone therapy for post-menopausal patients, as well as education on your urinary system and hydration needs.

To learn more about how Dr. Bridges can help you beat recurrent UTIs for good, contact her at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin. Schedule your appointment online or over the phone today and get started with your personalized prevention plan.