How to prevent urinary tract infection in women

Due to the special reproductive organ structure of female compatriots, the probability of women suffering from urinary tract infection is significantly increased. Many female patients have reported varying degrees of symptoms such as painful urination, body aches, and low-grade fever after suffering from urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infection is divided into two types: upper urinary tract infection and lower urinary tract infection. Symptomatic treatment can only be given after examination and diagnosis. In addition to treatment, prevention should also be emphasized. So how to prevent urinary tract infection in women?

The recurrence of urinary infection can be divided into recurrence and reinfection. It is generally believed that if the same bacteria recurs within 2 weeks after the recovery of urinary tract infection, it is considered a recurrence of urinary tract infection. On the contrary, if the infection recurs more than 2 weeks after the recovery of urinary tract infection, whether the pathogen is the same as the previous one or not, it is diagnosed as reinfection, and the following preventive measures can be taken:

1. General measures: Drink plenty of water, preferably more than 2000 ml per day, and urinate every 2 to 3 hours. Patients who have sexual intercourse should urinate promptly after sexual intercourse and, if necessary, consult an obstetrician and gynecologist and choose an appropriate contraceptive method. Avoid the use of urinary tract instruments as much as possible.

2. Antibiotic prevention: Antibiotic prevention can significantly reduce the chance of recurrence of urinary tract infection in women. For female patients with recurrent urinary tract infections two or more times within six months, or three or more times within one year, antibiotic treatment is recommended (Grade A). Prevention plans include continuous medication and post-coital medication, with a course of 6 to 12 months. These regimens must be used after the original urinary tract infection is cured (urine culture is negative 1 to 2 weeks after stopping the medication), and antibiotics can be selected based on previous drug sensitivity test results and the patient's drug allergy history. Compared with the continuous administration method, the post-coital medication method is more convenient and more easily accepted by patients who are involved in sexual life. Cephalexin, ciprofloxacin or nitrofurantoin can be taken within 2 hours after sexual intercourse.

3. Prevention in postmenopausal women: Local application of estrogen ointment in the vagina can restore the local environment of the vagina and reduce the chance of recurrence of urinary tract infection (Grade A).

4. For patients with frequent recurring urinary urges, their urinary system should be carefully examined for anatomical malformations, underlying lesions (such as stones, polycystic kidney disease, medullary sponge kidney, etc.) and overall immune system abnormalities.

We have provided a relatively detailed answer on how to prevent female urinary tract infections. We hope that female patients will pay more attention, especially to the amount of drinking and hygiene issues in daily life. Women should wash their genitals and change their underwear every day. The changed underwear should be exposed to the sun to achieve a sterilization effect, which is beneficial to the condition.