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How To Avoid UTI’s

What is a UTI and How Can Our Gynecologist in New Hyde Park Help?

If you’ve ever had a UTI in the past or struggle with chronic UTIs, you know they aren’t fun. A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection in your urinary system, which could be your bladder, urethra, kidneys, or ureters. Most infections involve the lower parts such as the bladder and urethra, but it can become dangerous if it spreads to your kidneys. Our gynecologist in New Hyde Park at Women4Women can help you.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

  • Cloudy Urine
  • Persistent/Strong urge to urinate
  • Burning when urinating
  • Bright pink, cola-colored, or red-colored urine – which indicates blood in the urine
  • Urine that smells strong
  • Pelvic Pain
  • Small, frequent amounts of urine being passed

UTIs are diagnosed by a doctor and treated with antibiotics. If you are looking for a gynecologist in New Hyde Park to help treat your UTI, we can help! 

What Causes UTIs?

A Urinary Tract Infection usually happens when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and spreads in the bladder. Infections of the bladder can be caused by E.coli, or sometimes other kinds of bacteria, and can result from sexual intercourse. Infections of the urethra can be caused by gastrointestinal bacteria spreading to the urethra or even sexually transmitted infections. Some of the main risks are:

  • Female anatomy
  • Types of birth control
  • Menopause
  • Sexual Activity

Luckily, you can take some steps to avoid getting a UTI in the first place or from getting one again if you happen to be prone to them. 

How To Prevent a UTI

There are many different lifestyle changes and holistic approaches you can take for preventing UTIs and to reduce the risk. 

  • Drink more water – This helps you urinate more frequently, flushing out any bad bacteria in your urinary tract. 
  • Consume cranberries (although studies on this show conflicting results) – Vitamin C may increase the acidity of urine, reducing the overgrowth of bad bacteria. Cranberries also have proanthocyanidins, which may help protect against E. Coli bacteria in the urinary tract.
  • Making sure to relieve yourself more often – Don’t hold it in! Try and go every 3 to 4 hours. Holding it promotes bacterial growth. 
  • Emptying your bladder before and after sex – This flushes out bacteria that easily enters the urethra during sex. Washing before sex can also help.
  • Wiping from front to back – This helps avoid the spreading of bacteria to your urethra.
  • Taking probiotics – Help promote the growth of good bacteria and can help protect against UTIs.

Also, certain birth control methods promote bacteria that can cause UTIs, such as diaphragms, non-lubricated condoms, spermicide condoms, and spermicide. Avoiding scented feminine products can help as well. Scented deodorant sprays, scented pads or tampons, douches, or scented powders can all irritate your urethra. 

Some other tips that may be helpful are avoiding caffeine, wearing cotton underwear, and taking showers instead of baths. These tips should help prevent UTIs, but if you struggle with frequent urinary tract infections, it is always good to check in with a doctor. If you’re looking for a gynecologist in New Hyde Park to help with your UTIs, Women for Women can help. 

How a Gynecologist in New Hyde Park can help

If you have symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection, it’s important to get medical help, especially if you have a fever and nausea/vomiting. Untreated UTIs can cause problems with your kidneys, so it’s important to get prompt medical attention. If you’re looking for a gynecologist in New Hyde Park for your UTI concerns, Women for Women can help diagnose and treat your symptoms. If you have a Urinary Tract Infection, it’s important to get the right treatment with the correct antibiotics for you. Also, if you struggle with frequent UTIs, it is important to work with a doctor to find out which prevention methods are right for you; relying on antibiotics too often can result in antibiotic resistance. Together with our doctors, we can find a treatment and prevention plan that is right for you. Make an appointment with us today.