What is a recurrent UTI? How do I manage one?
Learn how to manage recurrent UTIs and how to protect against them.
By: Caity Reverand
Getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) is never fun. It can be even more frustrating and uncomfortable if you’re getting UTIs over and over again. Getting UTIs multiple times is referred to as having a recurrent UTI and is common. Specifically, this is diagnosed if you have two or more UTIs in a 6 month period or more than 3 UTIs in 1 year. We will walk you through everything you need to know about recurrent UTIs and what you can do to help manage and steps you can take to prevent them from occurring.
What is a UTI?
UTIs are the second most common infection in the US. A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter the urethra, travel up the urinary tract, and multiply. As the bacteria spread, your urinary tract becomes inflamed and infected. 90% of the time, this bacteria is E. coli. E. coli normally lives without harm in our intestinal tract but becomes harmful once it enters the urinary tract.
With a UTI, you’ll notice a strong and frequent urge to urinate, a painful burning sensation when you do, and lower back or stomach pain. This may also be accompanied by the increased frequency of urination and/or an odor in your urine. The symptoms are very similar to those of a bladder infection but should be less severe. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect you might have a UTI, make an appointment with your primary care provider.
Why do I get so many UTIs?
People with vulvas tend to get more UTIs because they have shorter urethras that are closer to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to reach the urethra and cause an infection in the urinary tract. Around 50–60% of people with vulvas will experience a UTI at some point in their lives, and almost half of these will get another one in the next 6–12 months.
There are a few different reasons why some people experience recurrent UTIs. One of the strongest risk factors is the frequency of sexual intercourse. Also, some conditions predispose people to be at an increased risk for getting a UTI such as Diabetes. Additionally, a UTI may occur again if you did not finish a previous course of treatment.
