6 reasons UTIs become more frequent in post-menopause
Here are some of the key reasons that cause UTI to be more common and recur more easily after menopause:
1. Lower oestrogen levels
Oestrogen maintains the health of the vagina, the bladder, and the whole of the urinary tract.
If we have less oestrogen, the vagina walls and the bladder can therefore become thinner, they can become less elastic, they can become much more sensitive and drier.
2. Vaginal microbiome changes
Changes in levels of bacteria can be a reason. We have a whole family of friendly bacteria in the vagina that also protect the bladder. When the vagina starts to change, and especially if you get vaginal dryness, this can impact the friendly bacteria, leaving you much more vulnerable to infections in the bladder.
3. Changes in the urethra
The urethra is the tube from the bladder to the outside world. Falling oestrogen levels can impact this. They can make it thinner, less elastic, much more sensitive. And when that happens, it's much easier for these bad bacteria to travel up to the bladder and then trigger a bout of cystitis or other bladder infections.
4. Incomplete bladder emptying
What can happen, especially post-menopause, is something called a prolapse. This can cause the position of the bladder to change, making it much more difficult to empty the bladder.
If your bladder is also more sensitive, you're running to the toilet more often; however, if you're not emptying your bladder completely, and the urine that's left just sits there, then that's a perfect breeding ground for those bad bacteria.
5. Weak Immune System
We know that lower oestrogen levels can make our immune system less efficient. Therefore, we can be more prone to any kind of infection.
6. Sexual activity
It can also be affected by sexual activity. We know that during sexual activity, you're going to be introducing lots of different bacteria into the vagina. And if all the other symptoms that I just mentioned are in place, it means that you're much more likely to end up with bladder infections.
How to help prevent UTIs after menopause
So, now you know why they can increase, let’s take a look at a few things you can do to help prevent them.
Remember the hygiene basics! Make sure you wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet. Try to use unbleached or natural toilet paper so that you're not introducing chemicals that may affect what's left of your friendly bacteria.
Hydrate yourself. Make sure that you're drinking plenty of water all the time to keep any bad bacteria flushed out of the bladder and the urethra.
Try to empty the bladder properly. We're in a rush, so we force ourselves to go to the toilet and very often that will leave urine in the bladder. So, allow the bladder to empty naturally and just give yourself an extra few seconds on the toilet before you get up.
Remember to wear cotton underwear so that the whole area can breathe, and it's getting plenty of air. And remember, don't wear G strings because they can be really bad for transferring bacteria from the bowel into the vagina and then up into the bladder.
Remember to empty your bladder, especially after sexual intercourse.
Watch out for antibiotics, because if you take antibiotics for one bladder infection, that's going to affect the friendly bacteria in the vagina, which is going to make you more prone to more infections -and so on. One of the things you can take, especially after antibiotics and if you're getting reoccurring infections, is what's called a vaginal probiotic.
You can also take our Uva-ursi and Echinacea remedy for cystitis.
I hope this has helped you. It's so common and I know how awful it is. One of the worst things that you can experience. It's so, so dreadfully uncomfortable. And anything you can do to prevent this from happening is going to be really beneficial. Have you had this a lot? What did you do to stop it? What did you find really helped you? Please share your stories.
You know I love to hear all about them.
Take care and have a lovely week.
Other topics that may interest you:
6 vaginal and urinary symptoms of menopause
Staying healthy post-menopause: My tips and simple strategies
