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 your urinary system — your 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:

“Urinary tract infections don’t always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:

  • A strong, persistent urge to urinate
  • A burning sensation when urinating
  • Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
  • Urine that appears cloudy
  • Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign 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

UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults”.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 inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection.

It’s a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), particularly in women, and is usually more of a nuisance than a cause for serious concern”.7

Cystitis Symptoms

What are the main symptoms of cystitis?

In Cystitis: Overview – Signs and Symptoms of Cystitis the NHS elaborate on:

“The main symptoms of cystitis include:

  • Pain, burning or stinging when you pee
  • Needing to pee more often and urgently than normal
  • Urine that’s dark, cloudy or strong smelling
  • Pain low down in your tummy
  • Feeling generally unwell, achy, sick and tired”.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?

Womenshealth.gov explain:

“You can take steps to help prevent a UTI. But you may follow these steps and still get a UTI.

  • Urinate when you need to. Don’t go without urinating for longer than three or four hours. The longer urine stays in the bladder, the more time bacteria have to grow
  • Try to urinate before and after sex
  • Always wipe from front to back
  • Try to drink six to eight glasses of fluid per day
  • Clean the anus and the outer lips of your genitals each day
  • Do not douche or use feminine hygiene sprays…”.10

In Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): You Can’t Always Prevent UTI’s the NHS explain “some things you can do to try to prevent a UTI”.

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 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.

  1. Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) In Adults)
  2. Bladder Pain
  3. Can Cranberry Stop Your UTIs?
  4. Cystitis
  5. Cystitis
  6. Cystitis – Acute
  7. Cystitis – Non Infectious
  8. FDA 101: Dietary Supplements
  9. Health After Menopause
  10. Healthy Body: Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy
  11. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  12. Interstitial Cystitis
  13. Kidney Infection
  14. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms
  15. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause
  16. Menopause and Women’s Health In Later Life
  17. Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  18. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Bilberry
  19. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cranberry
  20. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  21. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  22. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
  23. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  24. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  25. Painful Urination (Dysuria)
  26. Symptoms of Menopause
  27. Urinary Tract Health
  28. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Diagnosis & Treatment
  29. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Symptoms & Causes
  30. Urinary Tract Infections
  31. Urinary Tract Infections
  32. Urinary Tract Infections
  33. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  34. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  35. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  36. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): How Can UTIs Be Prevented?
  37. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Management & Treatment
  38. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Symptoms
  39. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Things You can Do Yourself
  40. Urinary Tract Infections: FAQs
  41. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  42. Urogenital Problems
  43. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [+ Video]
  44. Vulvovaginal Problems After Menopause
  45. What You Need To Know About Dietary Supplements
  46. Wipe Penis Before Sex? — Ask Dr Jean [Q. I am a 59 year-old woman, prone to UTIs…]

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: 19 November 2020 | 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: 21 September 2021
  2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Symptoms & Causes — Overview. 23 April 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447 Accessed: 21 September 2021
  3. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): What Is A UTI? Last Updated: 19 November 2020 | 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: 21 September 2021
  4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): What Is A UTI? Last Updated: 19 November 2020 | 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: 21 September 2021
  5. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Symptoms & Causes — Overview. 23 April 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447 Accessed: 21 September 2021
  6. Urinary Tract Infections: What Are the Symptoms of A UTI? Page Last Updated: 01 April 2019. 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: 21 September 2021
  7. Cystitis: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 09 August 2018. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/ Accessed: 21 September 2021
  8. Cystitis: Overview – Signs and Symptoms of Cystitis. Page Last Reviewed: 09 August 2018. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cystitis/#signs-and-symptoms-of-cystitis Accessed: 21 September 2021
  9. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Causes of UTIs – Menopause. Last Updated: 19 November 2020 | 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: 21 September 2021
  10. Urinary Tract Infections: How Can I Prevent UTIs? Page Last Updated: 01 April 2019. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/urinary-tract-infection.html Accessed: 21 September 2021

Topic Last Updated: 21 September 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 21 September 2021
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