Do you feel burning when urinating, constant urgency, or abdominal discomfort that keeps coming back?
Although they are more frequent in women due to anatomical and hormonal reasons, men can also be affected, especially as they get older. These infections can significantly impact daily well-being and, if not properly treated, may lead to more serious problems.
What causes them?
The causes can be diverse, and often several factors come together:
Female anatomy:
in women, the proximity between the urethra and the anal area, along with a shorter urethra, makes it easier for bacteria to enter.
Sexual activity:
can facilitate the passage of germs to the bladder.
Hormonal changes:
occur during pregnancy or menopause, altering the intimate ecosystem and reducing natural defenses.
Intimate hygiene:
whether excessive or inadequate. The use of irritating products can also contribute to urinary infections.
Urine retention:
common in some men with enlarged prostate.
Altered immune system:
chronic diseases such as diabetes affect immune response.
Continuous antibiotic use:
modifies the protective flora of the urinary tract.
It is important to remember that the germs causing UTIs are intestinal bacteria from the same person, which access the urinary tract through different mechanisms and cause infection. Therefore, UTIs are not contagious from person to person, but rather self-infections caused by one’s own bacteria.
How to prevent them
Prevention is not always easy, but it is possible if certain measures are adopted:
Drink enough water:
a proper daily hydration is key to keeping the urinary tract clean and hindering bacterial growth.
Avoid constipation:
a diet rich in fruits and vegetables promotes good intestinal transit.
Maintain proper intimate hygiene:
use gentle products suitable for the mucosa and avoid tight underwear. Excessive use of intimate soaps can also favor infections.
Urinate after sexual intercourse
avoid holding urine for long periods.
Take care of vaginal flora:
in menopausal women, local treatments with topical estrogens can strengthen vaginal flora and reduce the frequency of infections.
Avoid self-medication with antibiotics
which can alter the bacterial balance.
Use of probiotics and oral immunotherapy:
can strengthen the specific defenses of the urinary system.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the cause and the patient’s profile. In general, it includes:
• Targeted antibiotics, after a urine culture.
• Low-dose prophylactic antibiotics, in selected cases of persistent recurrent infections.
• Probiotics or oral immunotherapy, to strengthen urinary defenses.
• Local hormonal treatments, in menopausal women.
• Personalized urological assessment, when anatomical or functional
When to see a urologist?
When UTIs recur, it is essential to undergo a complete medical evaluation.
Not all infections require the same strategy. That is why it is important not to self-medicate and to consult a urology specialist to establish an effective approach that not only resolves current episodes but also helps prevent future recurrences.
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