Women and Their Battle With UTIs

(Newswire.net — February 19, 2018) Cheyenne, Wyoming — While urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect both genders, it favors women as 1 in 5 are persistently plagued with reoccurring incidents of UTI each year. This constant assault on the body inevitably weakens the immune system, if left unchecked.

“A UTI is an infection anywhere in your urinary tract that is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, all of which work together to make and store urine and then remove it from the body, explains Women’s Health Research Institute at Northwestern University. “The urinary system is designed to keep out fungi, viruses, and bacteria. However, sometimes the body’s defenses fail and bacteria enter the urinary tract and cause an infection.” 

Given a shorter urinary tract and the vagina’s close proximity to the anus, women are far more susceptible to contracting UTIs, in particularly those elderly and pregnant. The bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) is most often the culprit of such infections and antibiotics are usually the prescribed medication to contain the issue.

“Lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common and have been estimated to occur in at least 60% of women at some stage during their lives,” states The U.S. National Library of Medicine. “Because of their high prevalence, UTIs are a public health concern, having an estimated cost of diagnosis and treatment exceeding US $25 billion over a 20-year period (approximately US $2.47 billion in the year 2000). UTIs are approximately 50-fold more common in adult females than males because women have shorter urethras that allow bacteria to ascend into the bladder.” 

Alongside the propensity of the female anatomy to contract by design a UTI, hence the mantra “wipe from front to back”, sexually active women are at an even higher risk, as with each new partner, new pathogens are introduced which may led to an infection. Also, there are some contraceptive methods such as diaphragms and those with spermicidal properties that put women at an even greater risk of contracting a UTI. 

“The infections result in about 8.1 million visits to the doctor each year, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,” says Prevention.com. “Changes in the pH of the vagina can alter the balance of bacteria and yeast in postmenopausal women and make it easier for bacteria to make their way into the urethra.” 

Leukocyte, a type of white blood cell, is found in higher than usual concentrations in urine when the body is contending with a UTI. A quick and easy at home urine test can ascertain the levels of leukocyte in the body informing if there is need for a concern or not. The HealthyWiser™ Urinary Test Strips do just this, in addition to taking the extra step to detect nitrite and pH levels as well to deliver fully comprehensive results.