Raise your hand if you’ve ever been caught off guard by an urgent need to urinate, or felt that uncomfortable, hard-to-explain sensation in your intimate area. Maybe you’ve even experienced unusual discomfort after a passionate encounter. The truth is, we all face awkward moments, doubts, and worries when it comes to urinary health—and that’s completely normal. The good news? With the right steps, you can find relief easily and return to feeling your best.
On average, data shows that in the United States, 60% of women experience a urinary infection at least once in their lives. It's so common that it is considered a public health issue that costs the US about $25 billion a year in diagnoses and treatments. (1) (2)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are frequent among young women due to hormonal changes, new sexual and hygiene habits, genetics, etc. Pregnant, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women usually experience UTIs due to hormonal changes. The use of spermicidal contraceptives can also provoke them. There are environmental and dietary factors to consider that also increase or worsen certain symptoms. These include spicy food, smoking and alcohol, among others.
It's time to stop feeling embarrassed and face this problem. You'll see how, with simple changes and precautions, you can reduce their frequency and help combat them.
What are urinary tract infections?
UTIs are infections caused by microorganisms, mainly bacteria that attack any organ that is part of the urinary system.
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The kidneys produce the urine, through which we expel toxins.
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The urine then passes through two tubes called ureters.
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The urine reaches the bladder and accumulates to be eliminated.
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The urine is then expelled through the urethra.
An infection can occur in any of these organs that form the urinary system.
Both men and women can experience UTIs, but they are 50 times more common in women because, anatomically, bacteria rise and reproduce more easily in the bladder or urethra.
The most common bacterium is the famous Escherichia coli (E. coli), which generates the most serious problems because it has an incredible capacity for adhesion to the tissues and reproductive system. (3)
The body is designed to fight and eliminate most bacteria in the first 24 hours of contamination, but occasionally our natural defenses are unable to do so. This gives bacteria an open path to settle and aggressively reproduce, which generates an infection.
What are the main symptoms?
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Urgent and constant need to urinate.
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Burning sensation while urinating.
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Urine with a strong, unpleasant odor.
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Urine that is dark in color.
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Pelvic pain and discomfort.
If, in addition to these symptoms, you have high fever, chills, nausea and/or vomiting, or pain in your upper back and side, see a doctor immediately. These are signs of a kidney infection, which is highly dangerous.
Tips to reduce the incidence of UTIs:
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Maintain good hygiene, especially after sexual activity as this can increase the risk of bacteria moving from the vagina up into the urethra.
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Vaginal humidity promotes infection. Remove any excess moisture.
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Use panty liners and cotton underwear which reduce heat and sweat.
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Drink plenty of water, even if it seems contradictory. Hydration helps eliminate bacteria from the body.
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Drink unsweetened cranberry juice. This acidic fruit helps prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract and reproducing.
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Consume probiotics such as fermented foods, kefir, kombucha and yogurt. Probiotics can decrease the risk of UTIs and help make antibiotics more effective.
We also have a Santo Remedio that can support you in your fight to reduce the incidence of UTIs: Urinary Tract. This supplement features a unique formula with key ingredients like cranberries and probiotics, which help maintain a balanced vaginal pH and promote overall urinary tract health.
Additionally, you can add vitamin C, glucosamine sulfate, and zinc to your supplement routine, as studies show they also help in preventing urinary tract infections. (4) (5) (6)
The important thing is that if you have an urinary infection, you contact your doctor. In time, these will eventually become only a temporary discomfort. Don't allow bacteria to take hold of your body due to unfounded embarrassment. Every inch of your body is valuable and deserves appropriate attention.
Your team at Santo Remedio
References:
- Betsy Foxman 1 Am J Med. 2002 Jul 8:113 Suppl 1A:5S-13S. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9343(02)01054-9. PMID: 12113866 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9343(02)01054-9
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12113866/
2.Betsy Foxman 1Am J Med. 2002 Jul 8:113 Suppl 1A:5S-13S. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9343(02)01054-9. PMID: 12113866 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9343(02)01054-9
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12113866/
3.J D Sobel 1 Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1997 Sep;11(3):531-49. PMID: 9378922 DOI: 10.1016/s0891-5520(05)70372-x https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9378922/
4.Alessandra Calábria Baxmann 1 , Claudia De O G Mendonça, Ita Pfeferman Heilberg . 2003 Mar;63(3):1066-71. doi: 10.1046 j.1523-1755.2003.00815.x. PMID: 12631089 DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.2003.00815.x https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12631089/
5.T C Theoharides 1 , D Kempuraj, S Vakali, G R Sant Can J UrolTreatment of refractory interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with CystoProtek--an oral multi-agent natural supplement PMID: 19046494 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19046494/
6.Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2019 Apr 22;33:33. doi: 10.34171/mjiri.33.33Relation between serum zinc levels and recurrent urinary tract infections in female patients: A case-control study Behzad Mohsenpour 1,2, Amjad Ahmadi 3,*, Anvar Mohammadi Baneh 4, Katayoon Hajibagheri 1,2, Ebrahim Ghaderi 1,5, Shahla Afrasiabian 1,2, Samaneh Azizi 6 PMCID: PMC6708089 PMID: 31456957 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6708089/
