Your urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, Bladder and Urethra all of which are involved in waste removal from your body. This happens in four steps. - The Kidneys filter waste from your blood.
- The ureters, which are tube like structures, transport urine from your Kidneys to the Bladder.
- The urine is stored in the Bladder.
- The stored urine is then discharged from body through the Urethra.
|  | Urinary tract infections (UTI), mostly caused by bacteria, begins in your urinary system. Urinary tract infections can affect any of the components that make up the urinary system. But the most common infections are those of the Urethra and Bladder.
Click here to view an animation on urinary tract infections in women. | | | How serious is the problem?
Urinary tract infections can put you through a lot of misery. But you need not worry much because prompt medical care will give you relief in a day or two.
However if the infection affects your Kidneys and is found to be serious, you may require treatment for a longer period of time at a hospital.
| | Symptoms of UTI | | Burning sensation while urinating | | Wanting to urinate frequently. | | Having an urge to urinate but find it difficult to do so | | Passing frequent, small amounts of urine | | Drops of urine leakage | | Bad smelling, dark or bloody urine |
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| Symptoms of UTI
Knowing the signs and symptoms
will help you identify if you have been affected with a urinary tract
infection. If you experience any of these symptoms (see box), it is
probably time to get in touch with your doctor. | Women are more prone to UTI than men. Reasons why women are more easily affected are: - The Urethra is shorter in women than in men, making it easy for the bacteria to reach it faster.
- In women the Urethra is positioned closer to the Rectum. This again, enables bacteria from the Rectum to move into the Urethra.
- During sexual intercourse, bacteria can be pushed into the Urethra.
- The use of Diaphragms to prevent pregnancy can lead to UTI since the Diaphragms tend to press against the Urethra. This interferes with the complete emptying of urine in the Bladder. When some urine remains in the bladder, bacteria can thrive in it and cause infection.
- After menopause, UTI may become more common because tissues of the vagina, Urethra and the base of the Bladder become thinner and more fragile due to loss of Estrogen.
Treatment
If your doctor suspects UTI, he or she may suggest a urine sample test to ascertain the presence of bacteria in it. If the tests confirm the presence of bacteria, you may be prescribed medication to eliminate the bacteria. Certain medications can turn your urine a bright orange or yellow. Do not worry about this—you will soon be okay.
Preventing UTI
Some women are affected by UTI more often than others. If you are one of them, discuss the problem with your doctor. Your doctor will suggest the right treatment strategy to prevent the recurrence of infection.
Knowing some of the prevention methods (see box) will help you keep urinary tract infections away.
| Tips to prevent UTI- Drink plenty of water or other liquids. This will increase your urge to urinate and by doing so you can flush out the bacteria from your system.
- Do not retain or hold back urine. Urinate as soon as you feel you need to. After urinating or bowel movement, wash or wipe from front to back and not from back to front. This will prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the Vagina and Urethra.
- After sexual intercourse, wash your genital area and urinate to wash away bacteria.
- If you feel vaginal dryness during sex, use a cream or jelly for lubrication.
- If a diaphragm is the cause of your infection, ask your doctor about other forms of pregnancy prevention methods.
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