Truth: Being Female Is The Biggest Risk Factor For Utis
UTIs generally are caused by bacteria that live in the colon, especially the rectum. The short length of the female urethra places its opening close to bacterial reservoirs , making women more vulnerable to infection.
In truth, being female is simply the strongest risk factor for UTIs, says Dr. Dielubanza.
Men are not immune to UTIs, but they are less likely to have them. This is because their longer urethras present a challenge to bacteria entry. However, as men age and begin to empty their bladders less efficiently due to prostate enlargement, urinary tract infections can become more common.
A trigger for UTIs in both men and women is use of any medical instrument near the urethra, including a catheter to drain urine.
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Why Cant Utis *directly* Mess With Your Period
UTIs can mess with your life in addition to your urinary tract, and in extreme cases, your kidneys. The pain and discomfort can leave you feeling sick and stressed. As a result, this stress may delay your period.
According to a 2015 study, perceived high levels of stress can impact your menstrual cycle. Basically, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed TF out may make your period show up late, become erratic, or not come at all.
How To Cure A Urine Infection
Faced with a urinary tract infection, it is essential to see a doctor since the condition must be treated with antibiotic drugs caused by bacteria or antiviral drugs when it is the result of a viral infection. Hospital admission is usually only required when the patient has a severe illness, suffers from a severe kidney infection, kidney stones, diseases such as cancer or diabetes, or is pregnant and has a fever or other symptoms.
In addition to medical treatment for urinary infection, the patient must follow the following recommendations to ensure that the condition resolves as soon as possible and the symptoms do not worsen:
- Drink plenty of water and healthy fluids throughout the day to help cleanse the urinary tract and eliminate bacteria.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or caffeinated beverages.
- We are not holding back the urge to urinate.
- Urinate right after having sex to prevent the entry of new bacteria.
- Maintain good intimate hygiene at all times.
- Avoid that the vaginal area is wet.
- When going to the bathroom, it is essential to constantly clean the intimate area from front to back and vice versa.
- Do not stay in wet or sweaty clothes for a long time after playing sports.
- Increase the consumption of foods rich in vitamin C that help prevent the proliferation of the bacteria responsible for the infection.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can a urine infection delay my period? We recommend that you enter our category of Kidneys and urinary system.
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You Need To See Your Doctor
If youâre feeling the burn, donât wait around. You need to see a doctor to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the urinary tract. While over-the-counter remedies help you feel better , only antibiotics can cure an active infection.
Your doc can take a urine sample and do a rapid, in-office test for infection. Sometimes other problems like yeast infections can mimic the symptoms of a UTI, so sheâll want to know exactly whatâs going on. If the test is positive, she can prescribe the correct antibiotic.
While all UTIs require prompt treatment, this is particularly important if youâre pregnant. âIf you donât treat it, even in the early phases, it can cause early labor,â says Dr. Carusi
Many Women Report Utis In Conjunction With Or Immediately Following Their Menstrual Cycle
Many women who struggle with chronic UTIs notice trends in the timing of their infections. These trends should be taken seriously as they may give insight into how they can be appropriately managed. Many women report UTIs in conjunction with or immediately following their menstrual cycle. There is a limited amount of quality research on the topic, with mixed findings, but the magnitude of anecdotal evidence suggests that this association does exist. The mechanism of why UTIs might be linked to periods is not completely understood. However, there are a few biological changes during the menstrual cycle that are likely factors.
Higher vaginal pH during menstruation could increase the risk of UTIs in this window by impacting the vaginal microbiome.
Higher vaginal pH during menstruation could increase the risk of UTIs in this window by impacting the vaginal microbiome.
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Can A Uti Cause Facial Swelling
When albumin, a small protein, seeps into the urine, blood vessels lose their capacity to reabsorb fluid from the tissues. The fluid then builds up in hands, feet or ankles, causing swelling. Symptoms of proteinuria include foamy-appearing urine and swelling in the hands, feet, abdomen or face.
Can a UTI cause swelling?
A urinary tract infection is what happens when bacteria get into the urinary system and multiply. The result is redness, swelling, and pain.
Whom Should I Tell About My First Period
Getting their first period, also called menarche, is a very important moment in many peoples lives. It is an essential stage in maturity. Some people talk to their parents or loved ones about their first period. Parents can help choose a period product and discuss the changes that are happening during this phase of life.
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What Can You Do To Prevent Utis
There are several measures you can adopt to prevent UTIs:
- Always pee after you have sex.
- Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
- Try to keep the genitals clean and dry at all times.
- Make sure to clean the toilet seat in public urinals before sitting on them, or try not to touch the seat at all while peeing in public toilets.
- Thoroughly wash your genitals post-sex to get rid of any bacteria.
- Try not to hold in pee for long durations.
- Unsweetened cranberry juice is known to help prevent UTIs.
- Dont wear the same pad or tampon for more than recommended durations, or change them frequently if you are very prone to UTIs.
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Q: Does Taking High Doses Cause Side Effects
A: High doses of ibuprofen can result in kidney damage, edema or stomach ulcers. If youre on blood thinners, it could increase your risk of bleeding.
But most young, healthy women should have no significant problems from doing high doses once in a while .
Before trying any new medication or taking a higher-than-prescribed dose, however, be sure to talk to your doctor about your best options and the potential side effects.
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Reasons Your Period Could Be Late Other Than Pregnancy
, Allure Magazine
Im late. These two words have a pretty powerful connotation. Say them to any fellow adult with the proper gravitas, and the person youre talking to may assume youre pregnant. Late periods and pregnancy, in many peoples minds, are inherently connected. One must mean the other, right? Wrong.
True, a late period can be an indicator that youre pregnant, but it can also be attributed to many other things or sometimes nothing. Menstrual cycles vary significantly when you are in your teens, breastfeeding, or going through perimenopause, Anna Druet, chief scientific researcher at female health app Clue, tells Allure. Beyond those times, its still very normal for cycles to vary, to an extent.
Before you even begin to get concerned about a late period, know that the timing of yours could vary by up to seven to nine days from one cycle to the next. Your body is not a clock, after all, and your cycle is constantly adapting to your environment, Druet says. Its much more common to have some variation than to be completely regular.
But that time of the month could be delayed for a specific reason. Ahead, eight things that might be keeping your period at bay.
Urinary Tract Infection Diet
There is no specific diet that will treat a UTI, but there are certain foods you can add to your diet to reduce the risk of UTIs.
Berries are full of antioxidants and ideal for keeping bacteria at bay. Cranberries are known to help with UTIs, but other berries like blueberries are also beneficial. You also want to eat plenty of yogurt because its beneficial probiotics prevent bacteria from living in your urinary tract.
In addition to this, there are certain things to avoid when you want to prevent UTIs. If you have a UTI, you need to avoid caffeine and alcohol until the infection is cleared because these drinks can irritate your bladder. You also want to avoid acidic and spicy foods during an infection.
Citrus fruit after an infection is great for preventing future problems because of the high vitamin C content.
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How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.
You Eat A Lot Of Sugar
Bacteria that cause UTIs love feeding on sugar, so you run the risk of providing a feast for them whenever your sweet tooth strikes. Kalas V, et al. Structure-based discovery of glycomimetic FmlH ligands as inhibitors of bacterial adhesion during urinary tract infection. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1720140115
If you eat tons of added sugars and get a real surge in your blood sugar, you may end up with some of that sugar in your urine, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Yale School of Medicine.
Some foods and beverages, like coffee, booze, and chocolate, can also irritate your delicate urinary tract and exacerbate an existing UTI.
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Can A Kidney Infection Affect My Period
Your period has been extremely irregular for the last few months. Some months its so heavy youre forced to change your super absorbent tampon every hour and others its almost nonexistent. Not only have you been experiencing abnormal periods, but youve had other symptoms like lower back pain and chills which arent typical during your cycle. Irregular periods often cause a bit of alarm, especially if youre someone who is usually pretty consistent.
Thankfully, if youve been following our blog, you know that its crucial to see a doctor even if youre pretty sure its nothing. You should always inform your physician of any changes to your periods length, volume, and regularity. This is because your period can actually tell you a lot about your health and might even signify underlying conditions that you may not be aware of.
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Is There Any Correlation Between Utis And Your Menstrual Cycle
Anyone whos ever had a urinary tract infection knows that those nasty buggers can be PAINFUL. Constantly having to pee, but being in extreme pain when you *do* pee?! Why, Mother Nature, whyyyy.
While UTIs are generally correlated with sexual activity, they tend to appear around your period, board-certified gynecologist Dr. Felice Gersh of Integrative Medical Group of Irvine said. Estrogen is anti-inflammatory and this hormone is at its lowest during your menstrual bleed, so you can be more susceptible during this time.
Oh, thats fun.
Naturally, those of us who are more prone to UTIs do everything we can to avoid them. Pee right after sex, wipe front to back, all that good stuff. These are things you should always be doing, but be extra conscientious around that time of the month. Because is there anything worse than the mere thought of getting a UTI on your period?
Answer: nope.
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Probiotics And Intestinal Neuroimmunology
The human gastrointestinal tract contains a large and complex neural network called the enteric nervous system, whose main purposes are to regulate the physiological functions of the gut and modulate communication between the gut and the central nervous system, both in the ascending and descending directions . This communication system is called the gutbrain axis, which consists of intricate loops of neurological reflexes . The gutbrain axis moderates the coordination between the brain, the intestinal tract and endocrine and immune systems involved in maintaining gut function . Disruptions or perturbations in the gutbrain axis have been associated with psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and functional gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS .
Proposed interactions between the gut microbiota, the intestinal tract, the central and peripheral nervous systems and the immune system. Intestinal microbes may interact with intestinal epithelial cells or immune cells directly or they can produce bioactive compounds and neurotransmitters to modulate immunity or the gutbrain axis. These intricate and complex interactions result in signaling to the central nervous system. CRH, corticotropin-releasing hormone ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone IDO, indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase.
Your Gut Microbes And Hormones
While existing research on the impact of antibiotics on hormones, and consequently periods is lacking and inconclusive, the impact of antibiotics on gut flora has been widely studied and established to have a significant, and long-term altering effect on the gut environment.5
A collection of a specific type of bacteria in your gut known as the estrobolome are directly responsible for breaking down oestrogens.6 Another group of bacteria called beta-glucuronidases have the ability to switch on oestrogen that hasnt been broken down by the liver, and return it to its activated state.7
Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of both these groups of bacteria, minimising the estrobolome and encouraging an overgrowth of beta-glucuronidases. This results in higher levels of potent, activated oestrogen in the bloodstream.
Antibiotics absolutely disrupt gut bacteria and replenishing this bacteria can take time this could result in a reduction of the gut microbes that help to process oestrogen
Antibiotics absolutely disrupt gut bacteria and replenishing this bacteria can take time this could result in a reduction of the gut microbes that help to process oestrogen, says Dr Cabeca. This could allow other bacteria groups that promote the reabsorption of oestrogen to dominate, which allows reactivated oestrogen to be reabsorbed by your gut wall, and to start circulating in your bloodstream for a second time, activating the oestrogen receptors in your cells.
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Stopped Or Missed Periods
There are many reasons why a woman may miss her period, or why periods might stop altogether.
Most women have a period every 28 days or so, but it’s common to have a slightly shorter or longer cycle than this .
Some women do not always have a regular menstrual cycle. Their period may be early or late, and how long it lasts and how heavy it is may vary each time.
Read more about irregular periods and heavy periods.
Can A Urinary Tract Infection Delay Your Period
by DP Nguyen
Do urinary tract infections affect your periods? This is a commonly asked question with a simple answer. Theoretically, it is possible for a UTI to cause you to have a late period. Illnesses and infections can delay ovulation , and this can make your period come later than expected.
In general, most women who have a urinary tract infection do not have missed periods, or a late period.
There are many reasons why a woman may have a delayed period, or a missed period, but a common urinary tract infection shouldnt cause any menstrual cycle irregularities. The most common reasons youve missed your period, or had delayed menstruation include stress, anxiety, or depression a recent illness that has upset your regular hormonal balance vigorous exercise or dieting that has caused you to lose too much weight all at once.
If you have missed your period three months in a row , you need to contact your healthcare provider.
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When To See The Doctor
You should see your doctor if you have unusual bleeding. This may include:
- Bleeding after sex, more than once
- Spotting or bleeding anytime in the menstrual cycle other than during your period
- Bleeding after menopause
Your doctor may start by checking for problems that are most common in your age group. Some of these are not serious and are easy to treat. Your doctor may prescribe hormonal birth control, such as a hormonal IUD, the pill, shot, or vaginal ring, to help control your menstrual cycle. Hormonal birth control is sometimes prescribed by doctors for womens health concerns other than preventing pregnancy. Other types of bleeding, such as any vaginal bleeding after menopause, can be more serious.
Referral To A Consultant
If your GP thinks a medical condition might have caused your periods to stop, they may refer you to a consultant who specialises in the condition.
Depending on what your GP suspects is causing the problem, you may be referred to:
- a gynaecologist a specialist in treating conditions that affect the female reproductive system
- an endocrinologist a specialist in treating hormonal conditions
You may have a full gynaecological examination and various tests, including:
- blood tests to see whether you have abnormal levels of certain hormones
- an ultrasound scan, CT scan or MRI scan to identify any problems with your reproductive system or the pituitary gland in your brain
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