UTIs are Common during Perimenopause and Menopause
Today’s discussion on Urinary Tract Infections during Menopause is sponsored by URISTAT®. I have received free product and promotional consideration to inform you, as my readers, about this little known condition.
Source: URISTAT ® “Never on Pause” Education campaign
The incidence of UTIs during menopause
Surprise! Just more menopause fun! Not only does menopause bring physical changes and symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and missed periods, but UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) are quite common. In fact, as the pie chart above notes: more than half (53%) of women over 55 experience recurring UTIs (at least three UTIs over 12 months)
Why does menopause lead to increased UTIs?
Perimenopaure and Menopause is the time when ovaries naturally begin decreasing their production of sex hormones; “good bacteria” levels also drop. A lack of estrogen and good bacteria allows “bad bacteria” to grow more easily in the vagina or urethra. Therefore, women who have undergone menopause are at an increased risk for UTIs.
UGGGH! Can I avoid Urinary Tract Infections During Menopause?
Helpful tips to reduce the likelihood of getting a UTI:
- Hydrate with water. This is will lead to frequent urination, which helps in keeping bacteria flushed out of your system
- Always wipe front to back. This is an oldie but a goodie. You don’t want the bacteria from your anal region in your vagina and uretha. I know it’s a tad graphic but it’s a big NO to do back to front wiping.
- Avoid products that irritate! My mother was a nurse and she always had me avoid products that irritate the urethra and trigger a UTI! For example, she told me to avoid vaginal deodorants, sprays, douches and powders. I also stay out of hot tubs and most pools, as the chemicals are a real irritant for me!
- Had sex? Urinate immediately! No, it’s not super sexy to bound out of bed after a nice lovemaking session, but if you want to want to avoid UTIs, in my experience this is the very best way! I recommend urinating and then showering as soon after sex as you can.
- Wear cotton underwear. Cotton underwear is porous and keeps your genitals dry. While you are at it you might want to ditch the thong too unless it gives you enough coverage. Avoid underwear made with synthetic materials.
- Gotta go? GO! Don’t hold your urine. It’s not comfortable and holding urine makes it easier for bacteria to multiply in your urinary tract.
Get relief for UTIs
For a UTI, you need prescription antibiotics. While you are waiting for them to work, there is a pain reliever for when you begin to experience symptoms and think you have a UTI. URISTAT® Pain Relief Tablets deliver fast, temporary relief of pain for the burning and urgency and frequency of urination while you wait until you can see your doctor.
If you have ever had a UTI, you know the pain can virtually drive you nuts. From the makers of MONISTAT®, over-the-counter URISTAT ® Pain Relief Tablets contain phenazopyridine HCl, the #1 doctor recommended ingredient used to treat UTI pain or discomfort.
Get more information and get a coupon today!
For more information and for a high value coupon for URISTAT ® products, click the picture below or please visit URISTAT.
How do you deal with your UTIs?
i been lucky i wont go thorugh it and i now some are going through it and it painfull and then i feel for them
This is all great advice–I hadn’t thought of some of this before.
Thank you for the tips! I am one of the unfortunate ones that have to deal with UTIs! I take cranberry vitamins that seems to help me plus staying hydrated, like you said.
I find Cranberry Juice is very helpful to me Sally. The Chief Blonde
I think staying hydrated is so important.
Having UTI is hard and sometimes painful! I’m not menopause yet but I had it a month ago. Thanks for sharing the tips in order to avoid it.
Yes UTIs can rear their ugly head at the most unfortunate time can’t they Peachy? The Chief Blonde
This is something that I suffer from quite often. I find that drinking cranberry juice helps quite a bit, eating yogurt daily and , if you’re diabetic, it’s really important to watch your blood sugar levels! If your sugar is high, you’re much more likely to develop a UTI.
I haven’t done the yogurt thing on regular basis, but others have said it works, Nena. The Chief Blonde
When I was at the end of periomenopause, I did get frequent UTI’s. Fortunately, I haven’t gotten one in quite awhile. These tips are the best! My Doctor said all of these things too. I’ll keep this product in mind if I start to experience them again. 🙂
Thanks Natalie, I felt it was useful info! The CHief Blonde
Yes, it’s a good product to deal with things until you can get to doctor and while medicine is kicking in. The Chief Blonde
These are great tips for avoiding UTI. Thank you for sharing this information.
Many of those commenting here and found them helpful as well M. The Chief Blonde
I never knew this. I had a hysterectomy at age 40. I have only (thank God) had one maybe two UTI since but I do all the preventive measures listed above not because I knew about this but because I had kidney problems (stones) and other problems so was very cautious. But those helpful tips are good to know. I also didn’t know monistat made Uristat. Never heard of that either.
So glad you are watching your health. Yes I think that there is no doubt that you are taking a healthy approach. The Chief Blonde
I didn’t know this was an issue. Thanks for the information so that I know! I will share this with others.
Krystal, It’s a good list of tips don’t you think? The Chief Blonde
As if dealing with the effects of menopause aren’t hard enough, I had no clue that UTIs is another hardship that comes with the territory. Grrrrrreat.
It’s quite true, it’s just more fuel on the fire. The Chief Blonde
I had no idea. I used to get often when I was younger. I thought they were a thing of the past for me.
THey might be Kerri. These steps are simple to incorporate. The Chief Blonde
I did know that we got this at menopause.. it is already tough. Thanks for the coupon.
It’s a pretty big coupon! The CHief Blonde
If going through menopause wasn’t enough, we have to get UTI’s too at the same time?!?! Nice, lol!
RIght? Seems like too much doesn’t it Lisa? The CHief Blonde
ahhhhh I have afew more years before I’m menopause age 😉 but these are some pretty great tips! You can really apply these for any age!
That’s True CourtneyLynn! The Chief Blonde
Thanks for your list of points to avoid issues. Hopefully is preventing and not suffering this
Yeah the tips will definitely help with prevention. The Chief Blonde
These are all good tips. And I’m sitting here holding, lol!! so I guess I’ll get up and go. 😉
It’s one of the most important things for me Rosey. The Chief Blonde
Water therapy is probably the best, if not the best thing that can prevent UTIs or any other infection. Thanks for this information though, it can surely help a lot of people.
Water seems to help with everything doesn’t it Ron? The Chief Blonde
I didn’t know that women who have undergone menopause are at an increased risk for UTIs. Thanks for sharing!
It was a surprise to me as well Lily. The Chief Blonde
Actually (knock on wood) I’ve been lucky and only had one UTI in all my years of living. Hearing about post menopause UTI’s is not great, but informative. I did use URISTAT though when I did have the one and only UTI so many years ago. It really helped because it was a holiday weekend and I couldn’t get into my Doctor’s office for a few days. I didn’t have health insurance way back then, so I really didn’t want to go to the ER. I just used URISTAT, drank lots of water and unsweetened cranberry juice (a very tangy hard swallow without sugar). Ever since getting that first UTI I definitely know not to let myself get too dehydrated doing things outdoors and know to come in and take a quick shower if I’ve perspired a bit too much outdoors gardening or whatever. I have great empathy for anyone who gets a UTI and can only suggest URISTAT to help them out along with a visit to their Doctor as soon as possible.
Your experience was so interesting to hear Lauralee. It’s nice to know the product is so helpful. The Chief Blonde
UTI’s are awful to go through! I had no idea that there was an OTC for UTI Pain.
Right, just to get you to the doctor and until the medicine starts working…so helpful. SHelley