Menopause and UTIs - One More Thing to Worry About
Many menopausal women understand that the loss of estrogen has impacted
their reproductive system, yet many are not aware that this hormone
decrease has also affected their urinary tract too.
When a woman’s body decreases its estrogen production, it also alters
the protective surface layer on the bladder that prevents bacteria from
adhering to its lining, thus creating a perfect environment for
bacteria to multiply and cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). Menopausal
women may also experience a “dropped bladder″ (cystocele), which occurs
when the wall between a woman’s bladder and her vagina weakens, causing
the bladder to droop into the vagina. These cystoceles can also trigger
an inability to empty the bladder fully and encourage the growth of
UTI infection-causing bacteria.
According to Larrian Gillespie, a renowned, retired urogynecologist and
author of the popular books, You Don’t Have to Live with Cystitis
(HarperCollins) and The Menopause Diet (Healthy Life Publications), there
are ways to control or prevent the recurrence of UTIs associated with
menopause:
* Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water promotes regular urination,
so it is very important to stay hydrated in order to help flush out
bacteria from the urinary tract.
* Take an Antibacterial: If you are menopausal and prone to UTIs,
Gillespie recommends taking Cystex as a preventative, as it is the only OTC
urinary tract medication that contains methenamine, an antibacterial
agent that attacks bacteria and helps prevent it from adhering to the
cell wall lining of the bladder. Cystex can be taken before activities or
situations that you believe have contributed to urinary tract
infections, such as sexual intercourse. If you do develop a UTI, taking Cystex
until you can see the doctor will help keep the infection from
progressing and also helps with the pain.
* Watch Your Back: Lower back stress that affects the lower muscles of
the back can interfere with the flow of urine, which can lead to
abnormal voiding (urination) and UTIs. When exercising, try to maintain good
form while lifting weights or on exercise machines to avoid back
injury. If you suspect a back problem may be contributing to your UTIs, ask
your doctor to give you a “uroflow″ exam to assess whether or not you
are voiding efficiently.
* Respond to “Nature’s Call”: It’s always a good idea to urinate as
soon as you feel the need. While “holding it in” does not directly cause
an infection, it can cause overdistension that can damage the lining of
the bladder, making it more vulnerable to bacteria.
* Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy: Talk to your doctor about a
low-dose estradiol treatment. Not only does estrogen therapy help build
up the bladder lining, but when coupled together with the therapies
above (i.e. Cystex), it will help reduce the incidence of UTIs altogether.
From: UTI Health Update
Web Site: www.cystex.com
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