UTI

Up to 60% of women have a urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point in their life. At her women’s health practice in Evansville, Indiana, experienced board-certified women’s health care nurse practitioner Amanda Phelps-Jones, WHNP-BC, offers expert UTI care with compassion. Whether you have your first UTI or are dealing with chronic UTIs, Amanda can provide a treatment plan that fits your life and finances. She’s happy to get creative and help you find a long-term solution, so don’t wait to get help. Book an appointment online or reach out by phone today.

What does it mean if I have a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) refers to an infection somewhere in your urinary system. 

UTIs can occur in: 

• The bladder, which holds urine
• The ureters that connect the kidneys and bladder
• The urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body
• The kidneys that filter waste and create urine 

Most UTIs occur in the bladder. However, an untreated UTI may spread to your kidneys, which is a more serious infection. 

What are the signs of a UTI?

UTIs cause a lot of discomfort, with common issues being:

• Burning when you urinate
• Pain when you urinate
• Increased frequency of urination
• Urges to urinate even if your bladder is empty
• Blood in your urine (it might not be visible to the naked eye)
• Cloudy-looking urine
• Bad-smelling urine
• Lower abdominal or back pain and cramping

Serious UTIs may also cause a low-grade fever, and if the infection affects the kidneys you may have a higher fever, chills, night sweats, mental disorientation and other serious problems. 

Why do women get UTIs?

Women have an elevated risk of UTIs due to their natural anatomy. With women, the urethra and anus are fairly close together, and the urethra is quite short. That means bacteria from the anus can accidentally get transferred to the urethra when you’re wiping and thus cause an infection. 

Sexual activity and using a diaphragm as birth control can also increase your risk of a UTI. 

Women who are in menopause have a sharp drop in estrogen. This can trigger thinning of the vaginal tissue and increase your infection risk. 

Plus, some women experience difficulty completely emptying their bladder during menopause, and when urine sits in your bladder too long, it increases infection risk.

What is the most effective treatment for a UTI?  

By far, the most common treatment for UTIs is antibiotics. Because 95% of UTIs are bacterial infections, antibiotics can rapidly destroy the harmful bacteria and relieve your symptoms. 

In many cases, Amanda prescribes a course of antibiotics ranging from 3-14 days based on your needs. You’ll start feeling better very quickly with this approach. 

Amanda can also recommend preventive tips, like practicing excellent hygiene, urinating after sex, and drinking plenty of water, to help you avoid recurring UTIs. In addition, she will discuss the possible over the counter options that are currently recommended to help prevent UTIs.

Ready to get UTI relief? Call Amanda Phelps-Jones, WHNP-BC, or book an appointment online today.