Urinary Tract Infection

“The increase in UTI risk at menopause can be explained by
the physical changes associated with menopause.
As oestrogen levels drop, vulval tissue becomes…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Urinary Tract Infection Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cystitis
  • Pyelonephritis
  • Urethritis
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary Tract Infection

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

DotS the definition of a UTI may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra”.2

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract that can affect the:

  • Bladder (cystitis)
  • Urethra (urethritis)
  • Vagina (vaginitis)
  • Kidneys (pyelonephritis)”.3

Common or Not

How common are UTIs?

According to the JH:

“One in two women will get a UTI in their lifetime. Nearly one in three women will have a UTI needing treatment before they are 24 years of age. The most common type of UTI in women is cystitis (infection of the bladder)”.4

Signs and Symptoms

What are signs and symptoms of a UTI?

In Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“UTI’s don’t always cause symptoms. When they do, they may include:

  • A strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away
  • A burning feeling when urinating
  • Urinating often, and passing small amounts of urine
  • Urine that looks cloudy
  • Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — signs of blood in the urine
  • Strong-smelling urine
  • Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone

In older adults, UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions”.5

In Urinary Tract Infections: What Are the Symptoms of A UTI? the Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov note:

“If you have a UTI, you may have some or all of these symptoms:

  • Pain or burning when urinating
  • An urge to urinate often, but not much comes out when you go
  • Pressure in your lower abdomen
  • Urine that smells bad or looks milky or cloudy
  • Blood in the urine. This is more common in younger women. If you see blood in your urine, tell a doctor or nurse right away
  • Feeling tired, shaky, confused, or weak. This is more common in older women
  • Having a fever, which may mean the infection has reached your kidneys”.6

Cystitis

What is cystitis?

DotS the definition of cystitis may vary. The (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“Cystitis is a urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects the bladder. It’s common, particularly in women. It often gets better by itself, but may sometimes be treated with antibiotics”.7

Cystitis Symptoms

What are the main symptoms of cystitis?

In Cystitis: Check If It’s Cystitis the NHS elaborate on:

“Symptoms of cystitis include:

  • Pain, burning or stinging when you pee
  • Needing to pee more often and urgently than usual
  • Pee that’s dark, cloudy or strong smelling
  • Pain low down in your tummy”.8

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and UTIs?

In Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Causes of UTIs – Menopause the JH elaborate on:


Urinary Tract Infection“The increase in UTI risk at menopause can be explained by the physical changes associated with menopause. As oestrogen levels drop, vulval tissue becomes thinner and drier, increasing the risk of irritation or abrasions that encourage infection. The urethra also becomes flatter and more easily exposed to the skin of the vulva”.9

Prevention

What steps can women take to help prevent a UTI?

In Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Preventing UTIs the (Scottish) NHS Inform explain:

“There are some things you can do to try to prevent UTIs.

Do

  • Go to the toilet as soon as you need to pee
  • Always empty your bladder fully
  • Stay well hydrated
  • Wipe your bottom from front to back when you go to the toilet
  • Pee as soon as possible after having sex
  • Have a shower rather than a bath
  • Wear underwear made from cotton, rather than synthetic material such as nylon
  • Avoid tight jeans and trousers”.10

Cranberry Juice

Do  cranberry juice and cranberry pills reduce the risk of getting a UTI?

In Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs): Treatment and Prevention – Should I Drink Cranberry Juice To Stop A UTI?, last updated January 2023, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists note:

“Unsweetened cranberry juice and cranberry pills may decrease the risk of getting a UTI. The exact amount of juice or pills needed and how long you need to take them to prevent infection are being studied”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have a UTI?

If you think you have a UTI, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Urinary Tract Infection?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links relate to Urinary Tract Infection?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 5 Tips To Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection
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  3. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
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  5. Can Cranberry Stop Your UTIs?
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  8. Cystitis – Acute
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  10. Dietary Supplements
  11. FAQS: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
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  13. How Menopause Impacts Your Health
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  16. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  17. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
  18. Mayo Clinic Q and A: 6 UTI Myths and Facts
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  23. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
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  26. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  27. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  28. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Bilberry
  29. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cranberry
  30. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  31. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  32. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  33. Painful Urination (Dysuria)
  34. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Perimenopause Symptom Checklist
  35. Self-Help Guide: Urinary Infection
  36. Symptoms of Menopause
  37. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  38. Urinary Tract Health
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  40. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
  41. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Diagnosis & Treatment
  42. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Symptoms & Causes
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  48. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Causes
  49. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Check If Is A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
  50. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): How Can UTIs Be Prevented?
  51. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): How To Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  52. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Management & Treatment
  53. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Symptoms
  54. Urinary Tract Infections In Adults [+ Video: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Most Commonly Asked Questions — Urology Care Foundation
  55. Urogenital Problems
  56. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  57. Video Series-2021: Female Urinary and Bladder Issues At Midlife
  58. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  59. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  60. Video Series-2023
  61. Vulvovaginal Atrophy
  62. What Is the Connection Between Menopause and UTIs?
  63. When Urinary Tract Infections Keep Coming Back
  64. Wipe Penis Before Sex? — Ask Dr Jean [Q. I am a 59 year-old woman, prone to UTIs…]
  65. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Causes of UTIs — Menopause. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/urinary-tract-infections-utis Accessed: 29 August 2023
  2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Symptoms & Causes — Overview. 14 September 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447 Accessed: 29 August 2023
  3. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): What Is A UTI? Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/urinary-tract-infections-utis Accessed: 29 August 2023
  4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): What Is A UTI? Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/urinary-tract-infections-utis Accessed: 29 August 2023
  5. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Symptoms & Causes — Overview. 14 September 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447 Accessed: 29 August 2023
  6. Urinary Tract Infections: What Are the Symptoms of A UTI? Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections Accessed: 29 August 2023
  7. Cystitis. Page Last Reviewed: 11 February 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/ Accessed: 29 August 2023
  8. Cystitis: Check If It’s Cystitis. Page Last Reviewed: 11 February 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/ Accessed: 29 August 2023
  9. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Causes of UTIs — Menopause. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/urinary-tract-infections-utis Accessed: 29 August 2023
  10. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Preventing UTIs. Last Updated: 13 February 2023. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/kidneys-bladder-and-prostate/urinary-tract-infection-uti Accessed: 29 August 2023
  11. Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs): Treatment and Prevention – Should I Drink Cranberry Juice To Stop A UTI? Last Updated January 2023. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologistshttps://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/urinary-tract-infections Accessed: 29 August 2023
Topic Last Updated: 29 August 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 29 August 2023

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