Urine sample to test UTI

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is one of the common causes for which women visit physicians. Women tend to get urinary tract infections more often than men because bacteria can reach the bladder more easily in women. The urethra is shorter in women than in men. So bacteria have a shorter distance to travel. But with little precaution and simple measures, women can prevent UTI effectively.
Health professionals recommend the following tips to reduce your risk of developing a UTI.
* Water helps flush your urinary tract, so make sure you drink plenty of plain water daily.
* Taking showers instead of baths helps prevent bacteria from entering the urethra and causing a UTI.
* Do not hold it when you need to micturate. Holding it when you need to go can help any bacteria that may be present develop into a full-fledged urinary tract infection.
* You should wipe from front to back after a bowl movement. This is especially important to help prevent bacteria from the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.
* Always wash your genital area both before and after sexual intercourse to help prevent transferring bacteria to the urethra or vaginal area, which can create a breeding ground for a UTI.
* Feminine hygiene sprays and douches, particularly scented douches, can irritate the urethra and possibly lead to a UTI. Avoiding these products will help prevent not only urinary tract infections, but also other infections and irritations that these products may cause.
* Another nutritional route that may help prevent UTI is regularly taking vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C increases the acidity level of urine, which in turn helps decrease the number of harmful bacteria that may be present in your urinary tract system.
* Double micturation at bed time will help to empty your bladder completely. Thus inhibit the growth of bacteria and reduce the frequency of UTI.
* If you are one of a large number of women who suffers from frequent, recurrent urinary tract infections, a change in your position during sexual intercourse may help reduce the number of UTIs that you experience. Changing sexual positions may reduce friction on your urethra and reduce your risk of recurrent UTI. Women who suffer from extremely frequent urinary tract infections may be prescribed an antibiotic to take immediately after sex to help prevent the likelihood of urinary tract infection occurrence.
Ref: http://www.nichd.nih.gov