Symptoms of Bladder Infection in Women

Bladder infection, also known as cystitis, is one of the most common diseases that affects women. Nearly 20% of women experience at least one episode of cystitis during their lifetime. Cystitis occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and move up towards the bladder through the urethral opening. Since the size of urethra is shorter in women, it is easier for bacteria to find a way into the bladder. This is the reason why women more susceptible to developing a bladder infection than men. Moreover, the external opening of the urethra is close to the vagina as well as the anus in case of women. Since these regions are likely to have a higher count of bacteria, bacteria can easily enter the vagina or the anus into the urinary tract and travel up to the bladder. In this article, we would be looking into the causes and symptoms of bladder infections in women.

Causes of Bladder Infection in Women

The growth of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteria is one of the common contributing factors for bladder infections. So why are some women more prone to the infection than others? Well, the risk increases with infections in the genitourinary system which in turn may result from increased sexual activity and poor hygiene. Stress, alcohol abuse or an illness which results in lowered resistance could also make one susceptible. Another possible cause is the use of irritating contraceptives that use spermicide. Such contraceptives can destroy the friendly vaginal bacteria and lead to the growth of disease-causing bacteria in the vagina. Well, whatever be the cause of bladder infection, the symptoms can be quite distressing.

Symptoms of Bladder Infection in Women

Bladder infection is the most common type of urinary tract infection. The most common sign of the onset of bladder infection is the frequent, urgent and painful urination. During an episode, the affected individual may feel an urge to urinate more often. One is most likely to experience pain and a burning sensation while urinating. Pain is felt in the abdomen, over the bladder and lower back. The other telltale bladder infection symptoms in women are:

• Traces of blood in the urine
• Low fever
• Foul-smelling urine
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Lack of urinary control, especially at night
• Malaise

The symptoms may range from mild to severe. Complications could arise if the infection spreads upward into the kidneys. Under such circumstances, one is most likely to experience symptoms such as intense back pain, chills, nausea, high fever or diarrhea. In case of people with a bladder malfunction due to nerve damage, no symptoms of the infection are produced until a kidney infection or an unexplained fever develops.

Treatment of Bladder Infection in Women

Many a time, women suffering from a mild bladder infection may not even experience any symptoms. Such asymptomatic cases may not really be a cause of serious concern. However, there's a need to watch out for the aforementioned bladder infection symptoms in women. It would be best to seek medical help immediately. To diagnose a bladder infection, doctors would analyze the patient's medical history and conduct a physical examination first. Besides ordering urinalysis and urine culture test, doctors may collect the urine specimen directly from the bladder with a catheter to check for inflammation, and identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. Since bacteria are the usually the causative agents of bladder infections, the treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics. To relieve the pain, medications such as antispasmodics or urinary analgesics may also be prescribed. The doctor might also advise an increase in the fluid intake, especially cranberry juice, which has shown to help prevent the infection.

Besides taking the prescribed drugs, following certain self-care measures would also help. First of all, one must increase one's water intake. One must at least drink 8 glasses of water everyday. It would be best to avoid caffeine and alcohol. You can also incorporate other preventive measures, like keeping the vaginal area clean. It would be best to urinate before as well as after indulging in sexual intercourse. Since bacteria flourish in warm and moist environment, wearing cotton undergarments which allow for air circulation will help in discouraging the bacterial growth. Bladder infections can also occur if one is unable to empty the bladder completely. This could be due to the presence of bladder stones. Under such circumstances, one must seek medical help for getting rid of bladder stones. The shift in the position of the urinary tract and the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy can also make women more susceptible to urinary tract infections. Thus, women must take care during the course of pregnancy.

This was some information on bladder infection symptoms. Women must ensure that they seek medical help as soon as the signs of bladder infection manifest themselves. While drug therapy can help in alleviating female bladder infection symptoms, precautionary measures can help in lowering the risk of urinary tract infections in future.