Prevents urinary tract infections in women

The risk of urinary tract infections in women is higher than men. Studies say that women are 30 times more likely to get urinary tract infections than men. This is because the female urethra is shorter and the distance of the anus-urethra is closer. Urinary or urinary tract infections are infections that occur in the urinary tract, which consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The urinary tract is a place where urine is made, stored and discharged from the body. As mentioned above, urinary tract infections in women can occur because the female urethra is shorter. The urethra is a channel that carries urine from the bladder outside the body. Because of the short distance, bacteria from the outside of the urethra can more easily enter and rise to the bladder. In addition, bacteria originating from the large intestine can easily reach a woman's urethral (urinary hole), because of its proximity to the anus.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections in women

In addition to the anatomical shape of a woman's body, the following things can increase the risk of urinary tract infections in women:

• Sexually active (germs in the vagina can move to the urethra).
• Using diaphragm contraception, spermicide, or female condoms.
• Decreased levels of the hormone estrogen and changes in the vagina after menopause.
• Delay urinating.
• Have a history of previous urinary tract infections.
• A weak immune system, for example due to diabetes, chemotherapy, and HIV infection.
• Gave birth to many children.
• Obesity.
• Abnormalities in the urinary tract, for example due to kidney stones, nerve disorders in the bladder, to the reflux (backflow) of the bladder.
• Catheter placement.

If you experience some of the following signs and symptoms, you are most likely suffering from a urinary tract infection:

• Often want to urinate, but the urine that comes out is not much.
• Woke up at night to urinate.
• There is pain, stinging, or burning when urinating.
• Urine smells bad.
• Dark, reddish, or cloudy urine.
• The lower abdomen feels heavy or painful.
• Pain in the lower back or side.
• Feeling tired, feverish and shivering.

If the symptoms are mild, the UTI can usually resolve itself within a few days. However, if symptoms are severe or recur very frequently, antibiotics for UTI may be needed.

Prevents urinary tract infections

Fortunately, urinary tract infections in women can be prevented by taking the following simple steps:

Do not hold back urination. Restraining urinating for three hours or more increases the risk of bacteria developing in the urethra.
• Drink lots of water. Drinking lots of water helps increase urine production, so that bacteria in the urinary tract can be more discharged outside the body.
• Always urinate before and after intercourse, to eliminate bacteria that may have entered the urethra.
• Wash the vagina from front to back (from the direction of the vagina to the anus, not vice versa), after urinating or defecating.
• Clean the outer lips of the vagina and anus every day.
• Keep the pubic area dry by wearing cotton clothes. Avoid tight jeans or clothing made from nylon, because it can make the skin become moist and cause bacteria.
• Do not use intimate organ cleansers whose use is inserted into the vagina because it can cause irritation. Just use it in the vulva area.
• Consider not choosing diaphragms, spermicide creams, or non-lubricating condoms as contraceptives, because they can trigger bacterial growth. Consult with your doctor to determine other contraception that suits you.

Urinary tract infections that often recur, or cause fever, weakness, pain in the back or waist, and blood in the urine, are conditions that should be checked by a doctor immediately. If not handled properly, urinary tract infections in women can spread to the kidneys and cause complications in the form of kidney infections (pyelonephritis), kidney failure, until sepsis. Come on, from now on, do not neglect to maintain the cleanliness and health of your intimate organs.