There are a number of things that women can do to help prevent Urinary Tract Infections. When it comes to infection prevention, taking showers instead of baths can help. If a woman prefers baths, she can take a short one. Soaking in a bathtub for too long gives bacteria a chance to get to a woman’s bladder. The bacteria in the water can come from the woman’s own skin. Some women believe that douching can help prevent infections, but douching hasn’t been shown to be any help when it comes to prevention.
Women have to think about other things when they are trying to prevent Urinary Tract Infections. When a woman is on her period, she should use tampons instead of pads. Pads can actually keep the opening to the bladder way too moist. By doing so, pads give bacteria a chance to multiply at much higher rates. Infrequent urination can also contribute to infections. A woman should get in the habit of trying to urinate every three to five hours during the time she is awake. Even if a woman feels like she doesn’t have to urinate, she should attempt to do so.
Diet can also play an important part. Women have to make sure that they are getting enough water throughout the day. If a woman’s urine is dark, she isn’t getting enough water. Water is the fluid of choice, not juice or soda. Women should start by drinking eight glasses of water per day and work their way up from there. Some women are under the impression that cranberry juice can help them to avoid infections. Although a good number of women swear by cranberry juice, there really isn’t any evidence that supports it as being beneficial in preventing infections in most women. Cranberry juice is healthy, so drinking it isn’t going to be a problem.
Women who suspect they have infections can visit the Metropolitan Family Planning Clinic or similar places to get the help that they need. While they are there, they can ask medical professionals important questions about infections of the urinary tract. Women who get the most information have a better chance of avoiding infections.
