Urinary Tract Infection - Other Treatments

Highlights	Risk Factors	Medications
Introduction	Complications	Other Treatments
Causes	Diagnosis	Resources
Symptoms	Treatment	References

Other Treatments

The following are hygiene tips, although it should be noted that there is no evidence that good hygiene makes any difference in preventing UTIs. It is always a wise practice, but women should not rely on it for protection from infection.

Cleanse the genital and urinary areas from front to back with soap and water after each bowel movement.
Keep the genital and anal areas clean before and after sex. Urinate before and after intercourse to empty the bladder and cleanse the urethra of bacteria.
Avoid tight-fitting pants.
Wear cotton-crotch underwear and panty hose, changing both at least once a day. (Mild detergents are best for washing underwear.)
Take showers rather than baths.
Avoid bath oils, feminine hygiene sprays, douches, and powders. In fact, as a general rule, any product containing perfumes or other possible allergens should not be used near the genital area. Note: Douching in any case is never recommended. It may destroy the natural antiviral agents normally present in the vagina, making women more susceptible to human papillomavirus (HVP), a risk factor for cervical cancer.
Choose sanitary napkins instead of tampons (which some doctors believe encourage infection). Napkins and tampons, in any case, should be changed after each urination.
Urinate frequently.

Appropriate hygiene and cleanliness of the genital area may help reduce the chances of introducing bacteria through the urethra. Females are especially vulnerable to this, because the urethra is in close proximity to the rectum. The genitals should be cleaned and wiped from front to back to reduce the chance of dragging E. coli bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

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Sexual Precautions

The following recommendations may reduce the risks from sexual activity:

In women using contraceptives, consider alternatives, particularly if exposed to spermicides from condoms or diaphragms. Discuss the best contraceptive choice with a doctor.
Avoid sex with multiple partners. This can cause many psychological and health problems, including sexually transmitted diseases and UTIs.

Estrogen Cream or Estrogen-Releasing Vaginal Devices

Postmenopausal women with recurrent UTIs may consider the use of an estrogen vaginal cream or estrogen-releasing vaginal ring (Estring). Estrogen may resist infection by increasing the number of lactobacilli, the microorganism that fights infection by lowering the vaginal pH levels and preventing E. coli from adhering to vaginal cells. Estrogen creams and estrogen-releasing rings have been associated with a lower incidence of recurring urinary tract infections than women not using such topical estrogens. A 2003 study indicated however, that the estrogen ring had no effect on lactobacilli and less effective than the standard preventive antibiotic regimen. Oral hormone replacement therapies, which contain estrogen, do not seem to provide the same benefit as the topical forms, and in any case are proving to have health risks, including an increased risk for breast cancer and heart disease. Evidence is lacking about whether vaginal forms of estrogen have not been associated with these risks.