Dealing with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and disruptive to your everyday activities. Understanding them is key to breaking the cycle and protecting your long-term urinary health.
Let’s explore what recurrent UTIs are, why they happen, and we also have some simple UTI prevention tips for you.
What is a Recurrent UTI?
UTIs happen when bacteria enter your urinary tract through the urethra (a narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder) and multiply, causing discomfort and even pain.1
A UTI becomes recurrent when you experience three or more in a year, or two or more in six months.1 This happens when certain factors make it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract or more difficult to remove them from the body.1
Some of these factors are:1
- Certain health conditions, like diabetes
- Frequent sexual activity
- Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
- Use of spermicide or some types of birth control
UTIs are not often a topic of conversation when ladies get together. When it comes to recurrent UTIs, they can affect both men and women but occur more often in women.2 Factors like a shorter urethra and hormonal changes during menopause or pregnancy2, 3 make women more vulnerable.
What are the Symptoms of a Recurrent UTI?
Recurrent UTIs can feel like earlier, regular infections, except they keep coming back.
Some symptoms are:1
- Strong, frequent urges to pee
- Burning sensations when peeing
- Cloudy or foul-smelling pee
- Frequent unexpected leaks (incontinence)
- Pelvic pain or pressure in the lower stomach
A sign you shouldn’t ignore is if you still have symptoms after treatment.1 It’s also important to call your doctor if:
- Symptoms return after treatment or preventive measures1,2
- Fever, back pain, or blood in your pee2
Frequent leaks can feel frustrating and put a damper on your confidence. TENA’s range of incontinence products for men and women is designed to help you stay comfortable and confident as you go about your day.
Prevention Tips to Break the UTI Cycle
Recurrent UTIs are uncomfortable, and it’s ok if you’re more prone to them. Taking small preventive steps, like the ones we’ve listed below, help avoid UTI causes and protect your urinary health in the long run.
Drink Cranberry Juice
While cranberry juice is not a treatment, it may play a role to help prevent UTIs.4 Cranberries contain special compounds that can make it more difficult for bacteria to attach to the tissues of your urinary tract.4
When adding cranberry juice to your diet, choose unsweetened, pure varieties rather than sugary ones for the best benefit.4
Practice Proper Bathroom Hygiene
When it comes to urinary health, your bathroom habits matter. Wiping from back to front could introduce bacteria from the anus into your urethra, especially if you have diarrhea.4
Also, using scented feminine hygiene products or douches may change vaginal pH, potentially encouraging bacterial growth.4
Don't worry if you’ve done these before — following UTI hygiene tips like wiping from front to back, avoiding douches, and choosing unscented products can help protect your urinary health.4
Pee Before and After Sex
Simple habits like peeing before and after sex can also make a difference, especially for women.4 This helps flush bacteria out of the urethra, reducing the risk of infection.4
Pregnancy-Related UTIs Need Quick Attention
Pregnancy brings many changes, and dealing with a UTI at the same time can be overwhelming. But it’s important to know that UTIs during pregnancy need early medical care.3 Calling your doctor when symptoms appear could help protect both you and your baby.3
After Surgery and Catheter Care
If you’ve had surgery, peeing regularly and moving around (only if recommended by your doctor) may help lower the risk of infection, especially if you have a catheter.
Catheters can be helpful in certain situations,5 but they may also increase the risk of infection if bacteria accumulate.2
Should you leave the hospital with a catheter, practicing basic hygiene habits like these can make a difference:5
- Check that the catheter stays secure on your thigh.
- Wash your hands before and after handling it.
- Keep the area around the catheter clean.
- Contact your doctor if you notice leaks, blockages, or discomfort.
Go to the Bathroom More Often
Sometimes holding your pee in isn’t intentional; there just isn’t always a clean bathroom nearby. Regularly doing this, though, creates an environment that allows bacteria to grow.4
Emptying your bladder every 3 to 4 hours and avoiding long delays to go to the bathroom can play a role in preventing bladder infections.4
Stay Hydrated
Did you know hydration and UTIs are linked? Drinking water has many benefits for your body, including helping to flush out bacteria that could increase your risk of a bladder infection.4
To know how much water to drink, pay attention to the color of your pee at each bathroom visit: light yellow is good, while transparent means you’re overhydrated and burnt orange means you need to up your water intake.
Here are a few other habits to help you stay hydrated:6
- Sip water consistently throughout the day.
- Always keep a water bottle handy.
- Drink water before exercising.
- Limit very salty or sugary foods.
- Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Add fruits like lemons to your water.
- Add water-rich fruits and vegetables like cucumbers to your diet.
FAQs
What Drinks Help Prevent UTIs?
Water is the top choice for staying hydrated to help prevent UTIs.4
You could also add unsweetened pure cranberry juice to your diet. The compounds in it help prevent bacteria from attaching to your urinary tract. 4
It’s also important to avoid or limit drinks that could irritate your bladder or dehydrate you, like:
- Coffee 4,7
- Tea7
- Sodas7
- Alcohol4,7
- Energy drinks7
- Sugary drinks7
How Can I Stop Getting Frequent UTIs?
Recurrent UTIs can happen for many reasons. That’s why it’s a good idea to see your doctor to check for any underlying causes. He or she will also guide you through your treatment.
You can also support your urinary health by:4
- Including unsweetened cranberry juice in your diet
- Improving your bathroom habits
- Peeing before and after sex
- Going to the bathroom when you need to, particularly during pregnancy
- Caring for your catheter (if you have one)
- Staying well-hydrated
Can Diet Play a Role in UTI Prevention?
Yes! Certain foods may help protect your urinary health and support your immune system like:8
- Water
- Unsweetened cranberry juice
- Probiotic foods like sauerkraut or yogurt
- Blueberries
- Garlic