Learn More About UTIs

If you want to better understand symptoms, causes, prevention, or treatment options, you’ll find helpful information below. If you’re dealing with symptoms now, you can schedule a visit at any time.

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Understanding UTIs and Recurrent UTIs

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria enter the urinary system and begin to grow. While most infections affect the bladder, UTIs can also occur in the urethra, ureters, or kidneys. When untreated, infections may spread upward and can become serious and even lead to sepsis (blood stream infection).

Common symptoms of a UTI include:

  • Burning with urination

  • Increased frequency or urgency

  • Pelvic or bladder pressure

  • Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

  • Blood in the urine

According to the American Urological Association (AUA), up to 60% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime. Of those, 20–40% go on to develop recurrent UTIs.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines recurrent UTIs as:

  • Two infections within six months, or

  • Three infections within one year

While there is no single treatment that permanently eliminates UTIs, there are many effective strategies to reduce how often they occur.

How Recurrent UTIs Are Evaluated

A comprehensive evaluation helps identify what may be contributing to repeated infections. This may include:

  • Lifestyle factors

  • Hormonal changes, such as vaginal atrophy

  • Anatomical concerns (incomplete bladder emptying, kidney stones, urinary reflux)

  • Co-existing conditions (diabetes, autoimmune issues)

  • Medication-related risks

Urine culture/PCR testing is an essential part of determining whether symptoms are from a new infection or a persistent organism. Unfortunately, many urgent care centers and large telehealth platforms do not obtain cultures, which can lead to ineffective treatment, unnecessary antibiotic use, and increased risk of complications like C. difficile.

The Growing Need for Accessible Urology Care

There is currently a nationwide shortage of urologists. The NIH reports that 63% of U.S. counties lack a practicing urologist, and this shortage is expected to worsen by 2030 as more physicians retire.

This makes timely care, especially during painful infections, harder to access.
My service is designed to bridge this gap by offering specialized, urology-focused care through telemedicine, making expert support available no matter where you live.

    • Fluids—at least 64 ounces per day

    • Probiotics—helps GI system be as healthy as possible

    • Cranberry with 36 mg of PAC-this helps stop the bacteria from traveling into the urinary tract system.

    • D-mannose, an example is Uqora-this helps make the lining of the bladder slippery so bacteria can not stick

    • Avoiding spermicides

    • Urinating after intercourse

    • Managing constipation

  • Vaginal atrophy happens to all of us women as we age. It is caused by the loss of estrogen to the vaginal tissue. This loss of estrogen can change the healthy environment of the vagina, leading to more UTIs. It can also cause vaginal dryness, irritation, and pain with intercourse. Treatment options include:

    • Vaginal estradiol cream

    • Mona Lisa Laser Touch treatments

    • Coconut oil/Crisco for lubrication

    • Post Coital—after intercourse, just one pill

    • Daily methenamine—turns the urine to a sterile environment, this does not contribute to antibiotic resistance as it is not used to treat infections.

    • Daily low dose antibiotics based off of culture results

  • Painful Bladder Syndrome (also called Interstitial Cystitis or Bladder Pain Syndrome) can feel exactly like a urinary tract infection, but without any bacteria present. There could be many causes to having UTI symptoms without bacteria present. Many people experience symptoms such as:

    • Burning with urination

    • Bladder or pelvic pain

    • Pressure or discomfort

    • Frequent urination

    • Urgency

    • Symptoms that worsen with certain foods, drinks, or stress

    These symptoms often overlap with UTIs, which is why patients may be treated multiple times with antibiotics even though the urine does not show bacteria.

    Because this condition mimics a UTI, obtaining urine cultures or PCR testing is essential. If PCR testing repeatedly comes back negative, it may indicate that the symptoms are due to a different underlying problem.

    If your testing is negative for infection, we can help determine whether your symptoms may be due to bladder irritation. We can refer you to a urologist or urogynecologist for further evaluation and treatment.

  • Researchers are currently developing immunizations designed to help reduce recurrent urinary tract infections. One of the most promising options is an oral vaccine called MV140, which has been used successfully in several other countries.

    At this time, MV140 is not yet available or approved in the United States or Canada, but ongoing research and international use are encouraging. We are hopeful that this option will become available in the U.S. in the future.

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