One of the most bothering infections which can affect both men and women is Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). But did you know that men are affected by UTI too?
Read further to understand more about UTI in females and how UTI can also affect men.
Studies show that UTI is most common in women than in men. The urethra, the tube that connects bladder and external opening in women is short when compared to men. This is why women are most commonly affected by UTIs than men. Menopausal women and women with hormonal imbalance are also prone to UTI’s.
Symptoms initially include a burning sensation, itchiness, and dryness in the vagina, and when the infection settles down, one will have a frequent urge to urinate. Few women also experience abdominal pain, fever with chills, vomiting, and nausea. Very few women have kidney infections. The treatments depend on the severity of the infection and in most cases having adequate water is enough.
UTI is the infection caused by the bacteria that can bother you the most. While menopausal women have a hormonal imbalance, UTI is more common in them. But that isn’t everything. Even normal females or females who just had their menstrual cycle are also prone to UTI’s.
Inadequate water, poor hygiene, and holding the bladder for a longer time, are the main reasons why females are prone to UTI’s. Dr. Rahul Reddy, andrologist, Androcare, and Andrology Institute says, “Bathroom system for women in India is still poor. Which is why most women tend to hold their urine for a long time. This can affect them, making them prone to UTI’s”. This is one main reason, UTI is seen any all age groups of women.
How does UTI spread from one to another who is sexually active?
Dr. Rahul Reddy says, “Males are affected with UTI too. When intercourse happens and if any of the partners have a yeast infection (During the time of intercourse), it can spread to the other. UTI doesn’t spread directly. The fungal or the yeast infection can spread sometimes during intercourse and this can aggravate UTI in both the genders.”
How does UTI affect menopausal women?
“In menopausal women, there is a hormonal imbalance, which means they have lower levels of estrogen. This can make them prone to UTI. Women who have undergone hysterectomy are also prone to UTI, irrespective of their age groups,” says Dr. Rahul Reddy.
Few women during the early stages of their marriage, tend to have intercourse frequently. This can cause inflammation to their vaginal tissue, which makes the absorbing of the bacteria easy. These bacteria thus enter the Urethra causing UTI. Such UTI is found in the bladder wall and is called the Honeymoon Cystitis.
Dr. Reddy says, “Proper cleaning of the vaginal area and maintaining good hygiene are the only ways to not have UTI’s. Having adequate water and trying to empty the bladder frequently, along with not holding the urine for longer periods are a few ways women can save themselves from not having a UTI,”.
“Foods rich in C vitamin are good to one’s body and regular exercise helps in having good hormonal balance in women. Checking one’s thyroid levels is important because thyroid can cause other hormonal imbalances and hormonal imbalance can aggravate UTIs,” doctor Rahul suggested.
When one can identify UTI in the initial stages, there is no requirement of any medication. Just having adequate water and emptying the bladder regularly can help. But in a few women, this condition can become severe which requires weeks of treatment and this can be a long-term procedure”, Dr. Reddy concluded.
You can reach out to Dr. Rahul Reddy with your queries at andrologistdoctor@gmail.com.
