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Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections in Women

A urinary tract infection affects the structures that urine passes through as it's excreted through the body: the kidneys, urethra, bladder and uterus. Any one of these structures can become infected, however the higher in the body the infection spreads, the more serious it becomes. Urinary tract infections are more common in women than men. Before deciding upon the proper treatment, you must first identify the symptoms.

  1. Significance

    • There are two types of urinary tract infections, lower and upper; both have distinct sets of symptoms and require different treatments. Urinary tract infections are classified as uncomplicated or complicated. Upper infections are more serious and cause more severe health problems than lower infections.

    Lower UTI Symptoms

    • If a urinary tract infection is located in the lower structures, symptoms will include an urgency to urinate without being able to, hesitancy (the feeling of not being able to urinate completely), pain or burning upon urination, pain in the lower abdominal region and a mild fever that is usually lower than 101 degrees F.

    Upper UTI Symptoms

    • Women who have an infection in the upper structures will generally experience an onset of symptoms quickly, and they may or may not include some of the symptoms of an upper UTI. Symptoms of this more severe infection include shaking, chills, high fever (more than 101 degrees F), pain on one side of the lower back, nausea and vomiting.

    Lower UTI Treatment

    • The most common treatment for lower UTIs is antibiotics. Women are often prescribed an antibiotic for three days, which usually clears the infection. Women who have a high risk of developing kidney infections or urinary tract abnormalities are generally prescribed antibiotics for five to seven days. Pyridium may also be prescribed for one to two days to relieve pain during urination.

    Upper UTI Treatment

    • Women in good health can usually be treated for an upper UTI on an outpatient basis. She may receive fluids and antibiotics via an IV, or the doctor may choose to give her an antibiotic injection, followed by 10-to-14 days of oral antibiotics. If a severe infection leads to dehydration, and a woman is unable to keep anything in her stomach due to vomiting, she will be treated on an inpatient basis; fluids and antibiotics will be administered through an IV until she is able to take medication orally. Depending on how complicated the infection is, several weeks of treatment may be necessary.

    Prevention

    • There are a few things women can do to help prevent the development of a urinary tract infection. The first is to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom; this ensures that no bacteria from the anus makes its way into the urethra. Drink plenty of fluids (especially water) to clear toxins and waste from the body. Cranberry juice can also help prevent a UTI; cranberries are thought to prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder's cells.

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