Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Ouch!
It stings, it smells, it burns and just when you were starting to have fun, its back- again. Ugh. The post-menopausal UTI. Any woman who has had more than one knows UTI stands for urinary tract infection, and that can mean trouble. Putting aside (we won’t) how medically dangerous this condition can be, UTI is just as irritating as can be, pure and simple. Women dread the condition, and in spite of the UTI being very common and relatively easy to treat, some post-menopausal women have recurring, chronic infections.
Menopause and the UTI
Recurrent UTIs are defined as either three episodes of urinary tract infection in the previous 12 months or two episodes in the previous 6 months.
Generally, UTIs are very common in women young and old. So why does this condition happen so often? You can blame the bacteria.
The delicate little ecosystem that keeps your vagina healthy, balanced and thriving with good bacteria becomes less functional with less estrogen (who doesn’t?) Estrogen encourages a good bacterium called Lactobacillus to grow. The acid that the Lactobacillus produces lowers the pH in the vagina and the lower pH keeps the bad bacteria at bay. When the bad bacteria are allowed to grow, an infection can happen.
A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection your urinary system. This can include your bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra (the tubes that transport urine around the kidneys and bladder and out of the body.)
If you’re a woman in your 50s or, postmenopausal pain and infection from recurring UTI can be more than unpleasant, it can be dangerous and life disrupting. The team at MedStudio can help restore your natural balance and reduce these nasty UTIs.
Why, oh- why?
For some women, having frequent sex is one of the biggest reasons for a UTI. Sexual intercourse can cause the bacteria living in the vagina and rectum to enter the urinary tract. Hey, it happens. The painful symptoms lead most women to seek help right away and treatment resolves the issues most of the time.
However, after midlife, if you tend to get UTI, sex can be a game changer. If you seem to get a UTI, Every. Single. Time. Especially when you have a new sexual partner, the physical changes of menopause might be the issue.
Most women know that menopause results in a decline in the production of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. Although some women transition through menopause with few or no symptoms, changing hormone levels cause some women to experience a bevy of “down there” discomforts, including vaginal dryness and the dreaded UTI.
Because menopause can also cause vaginal atrophy, including thinning of vaginal tissue, difficulty completely emptying the bladder, and metabolic changes, lower levels of estrogen after menopause increases women’s risk of this irritating infection.
Real help right now
Some menopausal women experience the rare UTIs, but for others, UTIs recur so often they interfere with quality of life and sexual health.
When stuck in the UTI cycle, most women are reluctant to keep taking antibiotics and would rather understandably avoid a UTI altogether and look for solutions.
There are things to do that can help reduce your risk of UTI. Drink tons of water daily to flush some harmful bacteria out of your urinary tract. If you have to go, go! Don’t hold your urine and when you do urinate, make sure your bladder is completely empty.
Many women swear by cranberry tablets, supplements and juices to stave off symptoms.
Balancing hormone levels can help restore the good bacteria and pH of the vagina, reducing UTIs caused by hormonal imbalance. Don’t let recurrent UTIs steal your summer fun. If you’re coping with chronic menopause related UTIs, the natural hormone balancing experts at MedStudio ™ private medical clinic, has better solutions. They can provide help that goes beyond the endless cycle of antibiotics. The professionals at MedStudio ™ offer natural hormone balancing therapies and have new treatment options available to help women win the battle of the burn. Call MedStudio and schedule a free consultation to learn more.