- Water shortage
- Habitual urine retention and delayed urination after intercourse
- The wiping direction after urination and defecation is incorrect.
- Using spermicide for contraception
- Decreased immunity, such as in diabetes.
- During menopause, estrogen levels drop to very low levels, leading to a decrease in the secretion of vaginal mucosa, thus losing the protective barrier against bacterial invasion.
- Other factors like urethral obstruction, urethral stones, etc.
- Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of clear water daily.
- After using the restroom, clean from front to back.
- Cleaning before and after intercourse, along with urination and using a condom, can help prevent bacterial infection.
- Avoid wearing overly tight clothing or restrictive pants to reduce the chances of bacterial growth. It is advisable to wear more cotton underwear to keep the lower body dry.
- Take a shower whenever possible.
- During your menstrual period, change your sanitary pads frequently to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
- You may consider taking cranberry products, as they contain a substance called proanthocyanidins that can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract, thus aiding in the prevention and relief of urinary tract infections.
- Vitamin C can enhance the immune system and help the body resist infections.
- In probiotics, especially Lactobacillus crispatus, it can prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis, and there are clinical studies that directly indicate that probiotics can prevent urethritis.
- Water shortage
- Habitual urine retention and delayed urination after intercourse
- The wiping direction after urination and defecation is incorrect.
- Using spermicide for contraception
- Decreased immunity, such as in diabetes.
- During menopause, estrogen levels drop to very low levels, leading to a decrease in the secretion of vaginal mucosa, thus losing the protective barrier against bacterial invasion.
- Other factors like urethral obstruction, urethral stones, etc.
- Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of clear water daily.
- After using the restroom, clean from front to back.
- Cleaning before and after intercourse, along with urination and using a condom, can help prevent bacterial infection.
- Avoid wearing overly tight clothing or restrictive pants to reduce the chances of bacterial growth. It is advisable to wear more cotton underwear to keep the lower body dry.
- Take a shower whenever possible.
- During your menstrual period, change your sanitary pads frequently to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
- You may consider taking cranberry products, as they contain a substance called proanthocyanidins that can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract, thus aiding in the prevention and relief of urinary tract infections.
- Vitamin C can enhance the immune system and help the body resist infections.
- In probiotics, especially Lactobacillus crispatus, it can prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis, and there are clinical studies that directly indicate that probiotics can prevent urethritis.
It’s not difficult to improve urinary tract infections by changing lifestyle habits.
Diagnosis of urethritis is usually done through a clinical interview, symptom assessment, and urinalysis. However, if there are recurrent infections, further examinations such as cystoscopy or X-rays are recommended. For mild infections, it is advised to drink plenty of water to help flush out the bacteria from the urethra; urethritis may resolve on its own, although this can vary from person to person.
If symptoms do not improve or worsen within one to two days, or if there is a fever or blood in the urine, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. While urinary tract infections cannot be completely avoided, the following suggestions can effectively reduce the risk of infection:
Most antibiotics can cure urinary tract infections. The typical treatment process lasts between 5 to 7 days. For recurrent infections, a low-dose antibiotic may be taken for a longer period. Women who have reached menopause might consider using hormone creams as part of their treatment plan. If you suspect you have signs of a urinary tract infection, you should see a doctor for further examination, and the doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication based on your condition.
Learn more: Dr. Yu Chun-hung, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, primarily treats urinary gynecological diseases and other common gynecological issues, providing specialized minimally invasive surgery.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK
Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
Fellow of the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Certification in Urogynecology from the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Master of Science in Medical Management from The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Urethritis is a distressing condition for women, often characterized by frequent and urgent urination accompanied by pain in the urethra, yet it is not easy to discuss these symptoms with those around them. This is largely due to the various misconceptions surrounding urinary tract infections, with many believing that urethritis is a result of poor hygiene or overly active sex life. This time, we have invited Dr. Yu Chunhong, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, to clarify the myths about urinary tract infections and share methods for improvement, helping to reduce the likelihood of urinary tract infections or their recurrence!
Women are a susceptible group for lower urinary tract infections.
According to the doctor, the human urinary tract can be divided into the upper urinary tract, which includes the kidneys and ureters, and the lower urinary tract, which consists of the bladder and urethra. Research shows that women are eight times more likely than men to contract urinary tract infections, and acute cystitis caused by E. coli in the lower urinary tract is more common among women; inflammation of the bladder, and the urethra is not spared either.
Most young women will experience urethritis more than once in their lifetime, and some patients may have two or more infections within six months or three or more infections within a year. Typical lower urinary tract infection symptoms include difficulty urinating, frequent urination, urgency to urinate, and a burning sensation during urination, along with cloudy urine, lower abdominal discomfort, and even hematuria or fever.
There are signs to follow for urethritis.
The main reason women are more likely to suffer from urethritis than men is due to their physiological structure. The female urethral opening is close to the vulva and the anus, areas that are conducive to bacterial growth, making it easier for bacteria to enter the urethra from these regions. Other factors that may increase the likelihood of cystitis or urethritis also include:
It’s not difficult to improve urinary tract infections by changing lifestyle habits.
Diagnosis of urethritis is usually done through a clinical interview, symptom assessment, and urinalysis. However, if there are recurrent infections, further examinations such as cystoscopy or X-rays are recommended. For mild infections, it is advised to drink plenty of water to help flush out the bacteria from the urethra; urethritis may resolve on its own, although this can vary from person to person.
If symptoms do not improve or worsen within one to two days, or if there is a fever or blood in the urine, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. While urinary tract infections cannot be completely avoided, the following suggestions can effectively reduce the risk of infection:
Most antibiotics can cure urinary tract infections. The typical treatment process lasts between 5 to 7 days. For recurrent infections, a low-dose antibiotic may be taken for a longer period. Women who have reached menopause might consider using hormone creams as part of their treatment plan. If you suspect you have signs of a urinary tract infection, you should see a doctor for further examination, and the doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication based on your condition.
Learn more: Dr. Yu Chun-hung, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, primarily treats urinary gynecological diseases and other common gynecological issues, providing specialized minimally invasive surgery.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK
Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
Fellow of the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Certification in Urogynecology from the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Master of Science in Medical Management from The Chinese University of Hong Kong