Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Preventing and Treating Recurring UTIs
Content

Ask An Expert

Preventing and Treating Recurring UTIs

Susan Maayah

Susan Maayah, M.D.

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Question:

How do I prevent, or treat, recurring urinary tract infections?

Answer:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in women. This is due to the short urethra that leads from the bladder to outside the body and the plethora of bacteria that reside in the surrounding areas including the vagina and perianal area.

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection can include burning with urination, pain in the lower abdomen, increased frequency of urination or hesitancy in urinary stream. Fever or vomiting usually indicate the infection has traveled up to the level of the upper urinary tract and immediate medical attention should be sought.

Prevention of urinary infections is best by drinking lots of fluids, keeping the periurethral area clean, urinating frequently to flush the bacteria out and not allowing them the chance to sit in the bladder and cause infection. Predisposing factors for women to get urinary infections are after intercourse, during pregnancy, and after menopause. These are all related to different reasons, therefore can be prevented differently.

After intercourse, there is more movement of bacteria up to the urethra so it is helpful to clean the periurethral area well after intercourse and empty your bladder right after. If you note that you are getting frequent UTIs after intercourse, then your doctor may recommend a prophylactic oral antibiotic to be taken after intercourse to help.

During pregnancy, there is more stasis of urine in the bladder which causes increased tendency for urine infections. The best way to prevent UTIs in pregnancy is staying well hydrated and emptying the bladder as often as possible.

After menopause, women can also experience an increase in frequency of urine infections, which is caused by weakening of the periurethral tissues due to lack of estrogen. Hydration, frequent voiding, and sometimes vaginal estrogen creams can help prevent UTIs after menopause.

Cranberry juice acidifies the urine, which makes it more difficult for certain urinary pathogens to flourish. Although this may help prevent a UTI in some circumstances, it is not necessarily an effective treatment for an infection.

The treatment for a UTI typically is a course of antibiotics, from three to seven days. You should seek medical care if you have symptoms of a UTI so your urine can be analyzed and your doctor can determine the correct antibiotic for the infection you have. If you start an antibiotic before getting a proper urinalysis, then the infection may not clear if the bacteria causing your infection are not sensitive to the antibiotic you are taking. Even though UTIs are common, it is always best to seek appropriate care and diagnosis so that you can get the right treatment.

Related Questions

Question
  • Incontinence After Hysterectomy?
    I had a partial hysterectomy at 29. Now, at 43, I have bladder control problems with coughing or sneezing, and not making it to the restroom. This is not a small amount, even if I have recently gone. Is this related to the hysterectomy?
  • What is a Nurse Practitioner?
    My ob-gyn doctor's office recently added a nurse practitioner. Can you tell me more about their qualifications and what they do?
  • Clitoris Changes with Age
    Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
  • Heart Disease Symptoms in Men and Women
    Are symptoms of coronary artery disease the same in women and men?
  • Herpes and Shingles?
    What is the relationship between herpes and shingles? I have been diagnosed with herpes, and am experiencing breakouts of pimples/blisters on my arms, legs and chest, made worse by stress and physical activity that makes me sweat. What can be done?

Back to Women's Health

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences