New Treatments for UTIs

While urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often thought of as a common problem for younger women, experts say UTIs are just as frequent in older women. In fact although statistic show half of all women experience a UTI during their lifetime, Nicole De Nisco, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Dallas whose lab research focuses on persistent UTIs in postmenopausal women, says recurrent UTIs are actually more common in older women. Recurrent infections are defined as two within six months or three within 12 months, and half of all postmenopausal women will develop recurrent infections. 

Symptoms include pain when urinating and/or pain in the pelvic region, cloudy urine and the need to make frequent trips to the bathroom but can varying from one person to another. Older women may not know they have a UTI as symptoms can range from fatigue to a general malaise, fever, achiness and forgetfulness.  

UTIs are infections in the urinary system and can affect the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. Sixty percent of UTIs in older women occur when bacteria from inside the bowel travel into the urinary tract. Other factors are a decrease in mobility, thinning of the vaginal wall or a vaginal prolapse, and lower levels of estrogen. 

If you had a UTI before the age of 15, you are at risk for frequent UTIs. Doctors encourage patients to try and be infection free for up to six months or more, but if you are symptomatic, see your healthcare provider. New thinking regarding UTIs is to only treat symptomatic infections with antibiotics. In the past, patients were given antibiotics even if they were asymptomatic every time bacteria were found in their urine. Doctors now recognize some bacteria help keep the urinary system healthy. However, consult with your doctor for the best course of treatment.       

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Source:aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/causes-treatment-uti.html