Introduction
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of infection in women. They can range from mild to severe and have many causes, such as a bladder infection or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Uterus is the organ that fertilizes an egg cell. A UTI occurs when bacteria make their way into your uterus, causing an infection in this delicate area of your body. If you have any symptoms at all, it’s important to see a doctor immediately!
What Causes UTIs?
You might be wondering what causes UTIs. The bacteria that cause UTIs can get into the urethra, which is a tube that carries urine from your bladder to outside of your body. Bacteria can enter this tube through sexual intercourse or by using a diaphragm or cervical cap (which are medical devices worn during sex).
The other way in which you could get an infection is if you sit on contaminated toilet seats and towels while bathing or showering; these items may have been touched with someone else’s hands before they were used again by you!
What is the Urinary Tract?
The urinary tract makes and stores urine, one of the body's liquid waste products. The urinary tract includes the following parts:
- Kidneys: These small organs are located on back of your body, just above the hips. They are the filters of your body — removing waste and water from your blood. This waste becomes urine.
- Ureters: The ureters are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to your bladder.
- Bladder: A sac-like container, the bladder stores your urine before it leaves the body.
- Urethra: This tube carries the urine from your bladder to the outside of the body.
How Do I Prevent a UTI?
- Clean your genitals after going to the bathroom
- Pee right after sex (or at least before you get up)
- Don't hold your urine in, because that can make UTIs worse
- Don't wipe back to front, because that could spread bacteria around your reproductive tract and cause an infection in time for someone who's not ready for it yet
Keeping Bacteria Out
You can prevent UTIs by:
- Holding in urine as long as you can. This is not always possible, but it's a good idea to try. If you're unable to hold your urine for more than two hours at a time, then try taking a warm bath or shower before bedtime and then getting up when it's time for the next pee break.
- Not douching (i.e., using toilet paper with added chemicals). There are many reasons why people choose to douche; however, there are also many negative side effects associated with this practice—including pregnancy complications like miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy—and some studies have found that douching may actually increase women's risk of developing urinary tract infections! So if keeping bacteria out isn't worth the risk of getting pregnant too soon after having unprotected sex (or just being around someone who doesn't use condoms), then maybe consider going without the extra step altogether!
Inside the Body
UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. The bacteria can enter the urinary tract through the urethra, which is a tube that carries urine from your bladder to outside of your body. It's located between your bladder and vagina (the opening where you pee).
The most common place for UTIs is in women who have had sex while they were not in good health or using protective barriers such as condoms or dental dam kits. Also, if you have an internal device inserted into your vagina like an intrauterine device (IUD), this can cause problems with getting rid of waste products from infections caused by bacteria in this area because these devices are made out of plastic which does not allow for proper drainage system functioning when there's little space available inside them."
When to Call a Doctor
- If your UTI is severe, you should call your doctor.
- If you have a fever and pain, call the doctor right away.
- If you can't urinate because of an infection in the bladder that causes pressure on the urethra (the tube from which urine flows), call the doctor immediately. This is called an obstructed urinary tract due to bladder stone or stricture; it doesn't require surgery but may require antibiotics and other treatment before the stone dissolves on its own over time.
- A rash or other symptoms of a UTI—such as pain when urinating or burning during urination—should also prompt immediate action by calling medical personnel trained in handling these kinds of issues so they can provide accurate diagnosis and treatment options based on what's going on with you now versus how severe things might get down the road if left untreated
You can reduce your risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI), but you should also know when it’s time to call your doctor.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or more. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are especially effective at killing bacteria that cause UTIs, so make sure to use these instead of regular soap if you have sensitive skin or don't want to irritate yourself further.
- Stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids throughout the day—and don't forget about those who are older or ill! This includes people with diabetes and kidney disease who may find drinking extra water difficult; make sure they're getting enough water even if they aren't feeling thirsty. If possible, give them something sweet like juice instead if they'd prefer something sugary (but only do this once in awhile).
Conclusion
UTIs are common, but they can be avoided. If you are prone to UTIs, it’s important to know the best way to prevent them and how to treat them if they occur. In addition, if you have a history of recurrent bladder infections or other conditions that increase your risk for UTIs (such as diabetes), you should see a doctor sooner rather than later so they can check on any changes in your health and treatment options.
Reference:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9135-urinary-tract-infections