Did you know that UTIs are the most common bacterial infection in women in general, but particularly in postmenopausal women?
Let’s hold on that topic for one second so I can remind you what a UTI is. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused when E.Coli (bacteria) attaches itself to the bladder lining. Over 60% of women get UTIs, yet somehow they’re still a taboo topic.
So back to the main topic, why are UTIs common is postmenopausal women? Great question.
First, as menopause nears, the ovaries make less of the hormone called estrogen. Estrogen plays a role in the management of bacteria, therefore a deficiency in estrogen can lead to the development of bacteria. If that bacteria attaches itself to your bladder lining, the UTI pain begins. 😫
Second, vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause. Vaginal atrophy is the thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen. This changing environment in the vagina makes it more susceptible to infections caused by bacteria. 🦠
Men have no idea the pain we go through! 🤦♀️
Last, the symptoms of a UTI are mostly different in postmenopausal women than in younger women. Postmenopausal women don’t tend to experience the dysuria (pain when peeing), hematuria, and fever; however they do tend to experience more discomfort in the upper abdomen, back and/or sides. This pain is, thankfully, usually temporary.
I can almost guess your next question, how do I get rid of my UTI?
First and foremost, you should consult your doctor to ensure it’s not too serious.
It is noted that doctors may prescribe estrogen creams and tablets to reduce infections, however, studies are inconclusive as to the effectiveness.
“The alarming increase in multi drug-resistant uropathogens makes it imperative that alternative strategies are found.”
So what else can I do? Studies from Harvard Health Publishing & Medical News Today said that drinking a high PAC cranberry drink (with no sugar added) is key in the prevention of UTIs. Doctors recommend at least 36mg of PACs to prevent UTIs, and guess what? A 100mL shot of CRANEL contains 500mg of PACs! We’re here to help.
Check out our page for more of the science behind the cranberry, or if you’re desperate to prevent those UTIs. We’d love to help. Shop now: https://www.cranel.com.au/collections/all
Source: Infectious Diseases Unit, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Israel
