I’m Plagued with Recurrent UTIs — What Can I Do To Prevent Them?

It’s hard to ignore the signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). It burns or hurts when you urinate, and you have a constant urge to “go” even when your bladder is empty.

Some have more serious signs, like abdominal pain, general malaise, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting.

Without treatment, UTIs can spread to your kidneys and even put you at risk of severe health complications, like sepsis.

Dr. Rekha Kesavan and our skilled Comprehensive Primary Care team offer acute, primary, and preventive care services in Suwanee and Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Do you struggle with frequent UTIs? We recommend trying these strategies to keep them at bay.

1. Understand your risks

Anyone can develop a UTI. However, they’re far more common in women or those assigned female at birth. They can also become an ongoing problem. 

But why?

The primary reason is anatomy. The proximity of the rectum to the vagina is closer, and the urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria that live in the intestinal system — often Escherichia coli (E. coli) — to reach and infect the bladder.

Hormonal changes during menopause also increase the chances of infection because they cause changes in vaginal and urethral tissue.

2. Drink plenty of fluids

Drink plenty of fluids — water should top the list — to avoid a UTI or recurring infections. Proper hydration helps reduce your chances in two specific ways. 

First, it keeps bladder tissue healthy and hydrated. 

Second, it dilutes the concentration of bacteria in your bladder and flushes it from your system more frequently. 

To keep your bladder function at its best, we recommend drinking at least 50 ounces (or around 1.5 liters) of water each day.

3. Empty your bladder frequently

How often do you urinate each day? Believe it or not, more is better if you want to avoid a UTI.

Bacteria love warm, wet environments, making the bladder the perfect environment to grow. 

If you want to lower your risk of a UTI, you should strive to empty your bladder 4-8 times each day. When doing so, wipe from front to back to avoid introducing bacteria to the vaginal area.

Similarly, if you’re sexually active, urinate as soon as possible afterward to remove any bacteria near or inside the urethra.

4. Talk to your doctor

Finally, if you struggle with ongoing UTIs, talk to one of our experts. 

After performing an exam and discussing your symptoms, we can make additional suggestions based on your unique needs, such as:

• Adding probiotics or cranberry supplements to your diet
• Avoiding spermicides
• Using topical or vaginal estrogen therapy
• Managing underlying health conditions, especially diabetes and inflammatory disorders

In some cases, low-dose antibiotics can also help manage recurring UTIs. However, bacteria can also become resistant to these medications over time, making them less effective.

If we determine antibiotics can provide the best results for you, we can offer personalized guidance on how to take them to avoid this possibility. 

Do you have recurrent UTIs? Our experts can help whether you have acute symptoms or want to avoid more problems in the future. 

Contact Comprehensive Primary Care to schedule a consultation in Suwanee and Lawrenceville, Georgia.