It’s hard to ignore the symptoms of a urinary tract infection. That burning sensation when you go to the bathroom or an intense urge to urinate can be very uncomfortable. If you’ve ever had a UTI, you may not want to take the time off for a doctor’s appointment to get antibiotics. The only way to get rid of a UTI is to use prescription medication. However, you can avoid UTIs with the best UTI prevention.
How Do Home Test Kits Work?
When you think you have a UTI, it can be easy to want to use a home test kit. These kits work like a pregnancy test. You get the stick wet by placing it in your urine stream or collecting urine in a clean cup to place on the stick. Wait a couple of minutes for the stick to change color which will indicate whether you have a UTI or not.
If you have recurrent UTIs, a home test kit can be beneficial. The tests check for white blood cells or bacteria in the urine. Some tests check for both, while other tests only check for one or the other. Generally, the results are fairly accurate. However, the tests are affected by some medications you might take or the cleanliness of the sample. You should always follow up with your physician to make sure that you don’t miss a serious problem.
Why Do Women Seem to Get More UTIs Than Men?
Women tend to have more UTIs than men probably due to anatomy. A woman’s urethra is closer to the anus than a man’s, which means that bacteria and germs can get into it easier. UTIs in the sexually active are generally caused by germs from intercourse that enters the urethra. Normally, bacteria are rinsed out of the body when you urinate. When you hold urine in after sex, the bacteria can multiply and cause the UTI. One prevention tip is to urinate after sex, even if it breaks up the moment.
You can also do several other things to prevent UTIs:
- Wipe front to back after you go to the bathroom.
- Don’t use powders or sprays in the genital area.
- Go to the bathroom when you feel you need to.
- Use cotton underwear instead of nylon.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to prevent dehydration.
What causes recurrent UTIs? There are many reasons a woman might get chronic UTIs. In menopause, recurrent UTIs are quite common. Some women have abnormalities in their urethra and bladder that can cause problems. Some women need to change their lifestyle. Overusing vaginal douches or spermicides can increase your risk of developing a UTI. While some doctors recommend antibiotics to avoid new infections, you can easily become antibiotic-resistant by taking antibiotics when you don’t have an infection.
Prevent UTIs
Break the cycle of recurrent UTIs after sex by taking a holistic approach. You need to kill the old bacteria and prevent new bacteria from causing an infection. You also want to build up your body’s immune system to fight off infections. Get information on a UTI prevention method that will help you avoid chronic infections.
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