You might think of urinary tract infections (UTIs) as a young woman’s problem. However, you’re actually at higher risk of a UTI once you’re past menopause. UTIs are unpleasant to deal with, and can even cause lasting kidney damage. What should you do if you want to avoid the itchy, uncomfortable, and even painful symptoms of a UTI?
At Advanced Urogynecology, we support women of all ages in keeping reproductive and urinary systems healthy and infection-free. Located in Maitland, Florida, Dr. Kristin M. Jackson and the team treat active UTIs and provide preventive advice.
Here’s what you need to know about staying UTI-free after menopause. With the right approach, you don’t need to struggle with recurring UTIs, no matter your life stage.
Women suffer from UTIs much more frequently than men. It doesn’t have anything to do with hygiene – or even, after menopause, with frequency of new sexual partners. Instead, the lopsided risk of UTIs comes from the unique structure of women’s lower urinary tract, as well as the hormonal changes in your body after menopause.
Your urethra, the opening of your urinary tract where urine exits your body, is located in your vulva. If bacteria enter your body through this opening, you may develop a UTI.
A drop in the levels of the hormone estrogen in your body, which happens after menopause and the cessation of your menstrual cycle, increases your risk of UTIs. The surgical removal of your ovaries, or some cancer treatments, can also put you in a higher-risk group when it comes to urinary tract issues. This happens because of the way that estrogen affects your vaginal and urethral tissues.
Loss of estrogen means loss of both tissue moisture and elasticity. Vaginal dryness or irritation make you more likely to end up with a UTI. Estrogen loss causes weakness in the muscles of your urethra, putting you at higher risk of bacterial invasion. And, after menopause, you have fewer healthy bacteria living in your bladder and vaginal area, which makes a more friendly environment for unhealthy bacteria to take hold and cause infection.
The symptoms of UTIs include sudden, intense need to urinate and painful urination. You don’t want to suffer from these symptoms any more than necessary! Three or more UTIs in a year, of two or more in six months, is considered chronic. Untreated or chronic UTIs can also cause lasting damage to your kidneys.
If you already have a UTI, you most likely need antibiotic treatment. Make sure to take all of your antibiotic medication! If you often suffer from UTIs, receiving a prescription for antibiotics may be helpful so that you can use it as soon as you notice telltale symptoms.
How can you protect yourself against UTIs? For postmenopausal women, taking estrogen medications can make a big difference. Estrogen treatment is available as pills, creams, or insertable vaginal rings. For chronic UTIs, you may also benefit from preventive low-dose antibiotics. You can use this method for six months or longer.
Dr. Jackson and the Advanced Urogynecology team can also examine you and closely examine your urinary tract health. If there’s a structural reason for your chronic UTIs, you may need surgery or other treatment to reduce your risk of infections.
You don’t have to suffer through recurring postmenopausal UTIs on your own, and you don’t need to be embarrassed to need support with this common women’s health issue, either. Call Advanced Urogynecology today to schedule your initial consultation appointment, or book with our online tool now.
