Why can't I get rid of my frequent UTI? Busting Myths and Effective Tips to treat recurrent UTIs

Reinfection is one of the most common reasons for persistent UTIs, but understanding how and why reinfection is happening when there is so much misinformation out there is confusing at best!

Let's bust some of the most common myths around UTIs and what causes them, and we have some tried and tested methods that will get rid of frequent UTIs once and for all.

Common myths around UTIs

There are many myths about UTIs - most handed down through generations as fact! Let's separate facts from fiction once and for all with the most common myths:

Myth: UTIs only happen to women.

Fact: Women are more likely to get UTIs than men, but both genders can experience UTIs. UTIs can occur in anyone with a urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Some symptoms can differ too: women often experience fever and chills with UTIs, alongside pain in the back, frequent need to wee, and urine that smells quite whiffy. But men often experience rectal pain while struggling to empty their bladder alongside pain and the whiffy wee, so it's worth always getting a check up if you aren't sure.

Myth: UTIs are caused by poor hygiene.

Fact: While poor hygiene can contribute to UTIs, it's not the only - or major - cause. UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, and the most common bacteria that cause UTIs are Escherichia coli (E. coli) found in the gut.

There are several factors that can increase the risk of E. coli bacteria migrating to the urinary tract and causing a UTI, including hormone changes (ie. pregnancy and menopause), sex, abnormalities with the urinary tract and procedures like catheterisation. In some cases, UTIs may be caused by a combination of bacteria and even antibiotic use as discussed in this article.

Myth: Drinking cranberry juice can cure UTIs.

Fact: No doubt this is one of the most common 'treatments' you'll have been told when you've had cystitis or UTIs. Old wives tales have a lot to answer for! While cranberry juice and supplements contain compounds that may help prevent UTIs by preventing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract, there is no evidence that they are a cure for UTIs. Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for UTIs, and it's important to seek medical advice if you suspect you have a UTI, especially if the symptoms aren't improving and/or you have blood in your pee.

Myth: UTIs only occur in sexually active women.

Fact: While sexual activity can increase the risk of UTIs in women, it's not the only cause. UTIs can occur in women who are not sexually active, and men can also experience UTIs. In women, the anatomy of the urinary tract also plays a role in the development of UTIs. The urethra in women is shorter than in men, which means that bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder.

If you find that you are experiencing more UTIs after sex, it's a good to establish a routine of peeing straight after to 'flush' bacteria out from the urinary tract that may have settled after sex, or foreplay.

Myth: UTIs are not serious.

Fact: Let's park for a second the seriousness of the pain that we experience when suffering with a UTI - it's grim. Thankfully, most UTIs are not serious, but if they are left untreated, can lead to more severe infections that can cause kidney damage or even life-threatening conditions. It's therefore essential to seek medical attention if you suspect you have a UTI, especially if you have symptoms such as fever, chills, back pain or blood in your wee.

What can cause reinfections?

Reinfection can occur for a variety of reasons, so it's important to know what they are so you can prevent occurrences between each bout of infection.

1. Incomplete treatment: If you forget to take your medication or don't complete the course, the bacteria causing the UTI may not be completely eradicated, leading to a reinfection.

2. Antibiotic resistance: Overuse or misuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It's not something that many of us know about, but if you have an infection that is caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the infection may be more difficult to treat, and it can create a higher risk of reinfection.

3. Urinary tract abnormalities: Again this is something that we don't tend to discuss - but for some of us, we may have anatomical abnormalities in the urinary tract. These can be things like a narrowed urethra or a even a kidney stone, and they increase the risk of recurrent UTIs.

4. Sex: Intercourse and play can contribute to reinfections, especially for women as it's so easy to transfer bacteria between the urethra, vaginal opening and anus. It's important to always pee after sex, as this removes the bacteria from sticking to the urethra walls, and gently wiping over your vulva with a clean cloth post-coitus can help enormously!

5. Using scented products: These are a nightmare for our delicate areas and disturb the natural balance of our nethers. Always wear breathable pants, use unscented products and ensure you wipe properly after going for a wee.

6. Not wiping properly: A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that women who wiped from back to front had a 2.5 times higher risk of developing recurrent UTIs compared to those who wiped from front to back. Always remember to wipe front to back!

For the Pros and Cons of taking antibiotics - and what alternatives there are to help relieve symptoms, check out this article: The Pros and Cons of taking antibiotics to treat chronic bladder infections