Bladder infection - adults; UTI - adults; Cystitis - bacterial - adults; Pyelonephritis - adults; Kidney infection - adults

Lifestyle changes may help prevent some UTIs.

After menopause, a woman may use estrogen cream in the vagina area to reduce the chance of further infections.

BATHING AND HYGIENE

• Choose sanitary pads instead of tampons, which some doctors believe make infections more likely. Change the pad each time you use the bathroom.
• Do not douche or use feminine hygiene sprays or powders. As a general rule, do not use any product containing perfumes in the genital area.
• Take showers instead of baths. Avoid bath oils.
• Keep your genital area clean. Clean your genital and anal areas before and after sexual activity.
• Urinate before and after sexual activity.
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom.

CLOTHING

• Avoid tight-fitting pants.
• Wear cotton-cloth underwear and pantyhose, and change both at least once a day.

DIET

• Drink plenty of fluids (2 to 4 quarts each day).
• Drink cranberry juice or use cranberry tablets, but NOT if you have a personal or family history of kidney stones.
• Do NOT drink fluids that irritate the bladder, such as alcohol and caffeine.

Lin K, Fajardo K; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults: evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmation recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Jul 1;149(1):W20-4.

Little P, Moore MV, Turner S, et al. Effectiveness of five different approaches in management of urinary tract infection: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2010 Feb 5;340:c199. doi: 10.1136/bmj.c199.

Foster RT Sr. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2008 Jun;35(2):235-48, viii.

Nicolle LE. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in adults including uncomplicated pyelonephritis. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2008 Feb:35(1).

Hooton TM, Bradley SF, Cardenas DD, et al. Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary tract infection in adults: 2009 International Clinical Practice Guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Mar 1;50(5):625-63.

Images

Female urinary tract

Bladder catheterization, male

Bladder catheterization, female

Male urinary tract

Prevention of cystitis

Review Date: 09/17/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)