Practice abstinence, drink cranberry juice, and practice good hygiene and you won't have to worry about urinary tract infections (UTIs), right? Wrong!
UTIs happen when, according to Mayo Clinic, "bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract."
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Infections of the bladder, cystitis, and infections of the urethra, urethritis, are the most common UTIs.
While it’s common belief that only women are at risk – with hot tubs, tampons, and tight-fitting clothing presumed to be triggers -- truth of the matter is, these are just a few of the many myths surrounding common risk linked to understanding UTIs. For the real on these infections, keep scrolling…
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MYTH: You have to be sexually active to get a UTI.
While it’s true for women that sex can increase the risk of a UTI since the urethra is adjacent to the vagina, making it easier for bacteria to enter the urethra during sex -- they’re also most common during pregnancy, menopause, and perimenopause. Anyone, at any stage in life, can get a UTI from a variety of risk factor including spermicide, diaphragms, immune system issues and urinary tract abnormalities, according to NBIC. Other times, a trigger may not be discovered at all.
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MYTH: You have poor hygiene if you get a UTI.
“If you get a UTI, it does not mean that you have poor hygiene habits,” says Virginia Urology. However, cleansing yourself regularly may reduce your risk of developing urinary tract infections.
MYTH: You can treat or prevent UTIs by drinking cranberry juice.
Sure, cranberries contain an active ingredient that may prevent bacteria from sticking to the wall of your bladder. Unfortunately for those looking for a home remedy, guzzling down a liter of Cran-Apple juice just doesn’t contain enough of the ingredient to be effective.
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MYTH: Getting more than one UTI is dangerous
They’re incredibly common! While your doctor may want to look into your case more closely (if you’ve had several in a 6-month period), to ensure nothing more serious is going on. It’s not uncommon for some women to have reoccurring symptoms.
MYTH: You can’t prevent it.
Just because UTIs are common, does not mean you can prevent getting an infection. Drinking plenty of water, wiping from the front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement, and urinate after sex can help reduce risk of infection. Also, avoiding vaginal deodorants, douches and powders, as well as not delaying a sudden urge to urinate are just a few more ways to cut down your risk.
For most women, UTIs go away on their own. If you think you may have a UTI, it’s a smart idea yo see your doctor. When left untreated, the infection can spread to your kidneys and become a more serious issue.
