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Urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs, are common, so if you think you have one, you’re not alone. Many women get them, and some get them often. Most are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics, which will relieve your symptoms quickly.
Symptoms of a UTI
Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection include:
- Urgency – You get the strong urge to pee that comes on suddenly.
- Pain/burning – As the urine flows, you may feel a sharp pain or burning. You may also feel soreness in your lower abdomen, in your back, or in your sides.
- Frequency – After you pee, you may feel the urge again just a few minutes later.
The infection may also affect your urine. It may:
- Have a strong odor
- Look cloudy
- Have a small amount of blood in it
Most urinary tract infections start in your lower urinary tract. Bacteria normally live in the skin near your anus or in your vagina, and sometimes they spread to your urethra. These bacteria may also move up to your urethra into your bladder causing a bladder infection called cystitis. You may also get an infection of your urethra called urethritis at the same time.
A woman’s anatomy makes you more prone to urinary tract infections than men. Your urethra is shorter and closer to your anus than a man’s, which means bacteria can reach it more easily.
What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?
You can also develop UTIs if your bladder doesn’t empty completely, which can be caused by:
- A stone in your ureters, kidney, or bladder that blocks the flow of urine
- A narrowed urinary tract that slows the flow of urine
- A problem with the muscles or nerves in your pelvis
Other conditions may make you more prone to develop UTIs, including:
- You've had a UTI before
- You have had several babies
- You have diabetes
- You're going through menopause
- You're pregnant
If you’re pregnant and you think you have a UTI, it’s important to see your doctor for treatment right away. An untreated UTI could cause problems for both you and your baby.
Kidney Infections
The bacteria that cause a UTI may move up your ureters into your kidneys, resulting in a kidney infection. Symptoms of a kidney infection include:
- Back pain
- Chills and fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If you have these symptoms, it’s important to call your doctor right away. Kidney infections can be serious and need to be treated right away.
Treating and Preventing UTIs
Your doctor will treat your UTI with antibiotics. The type depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection. If you develop a severe infection or a kidney infection, you may need to spend time in the hospital where you can receive IV treatment.
To reduce your risk of getting a urinary tract infection:
- Keep the skin around your anus and genital area clean.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
- Empty your bladder every few hours.
Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills may also decrease your risk of getting a UTI.
If you think you have a UTI, make an appointment with your doctor. Treatment will relieve your symptoms and prevent a more serious infection from developing.
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After going to another clinic in Cheyenne that didn’t treat me as a priority, it was a breath of fresh air stepping into Cheyenne Women’s Clinic. The entire staff was amazing, but Dr. Dozier was exceptional. She was kind, patient & answered any questions I had with great detail. I will never not recommend her. I am so pleased with my experience here.
I feel so lucky to have had the doctors at the Women’s Clinic for all three of my deliveries and GYN care. They provide high quality, compassionate, evidenced based care and Cheyenne is lucky to have such a great group!
I absolutely have loved it here! We just finished having our second kiddo and have worked with the vast majority of doctors here and they are all excellent!
Had an absolute amazing experience with the Cheyenne Woman’s Clinic during my first pregnancy. They did their best to accommodate my labor desires and made me feel as comfortable as can be. My husband appreciated how they took care of me, and now we’re going back with our second pregnancy! Highly recommend.
All of my appointments I’ve attended through the Women’s Clinic have been amazing the nurses and doctors have been lots of help throughout my whole pregnancy with lots of advice and support, I love every person from there they definitely are a welcoming and loving place!
