Wafika M Fahmy, MD

Check out this blog by gynecologybakersfield.com!

Women suffer from urinary tract infections at some point during their lives. Some women may experience repeated infections often, most of which are not serious. Urinary tract infections (UTI) can be treated with antibiotics and symptoms can be relieved quickly. Here are some symptoms to look out for: - a strong urge to urinate that cannot be delayed - sharp pain or burning as urine flows... - an urge to urinate frequently - strong urine odor - cloudy urine - may have blood in the urine But how do you prevent them? Here are a few ways to help prevent them. - Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement or urination - Do not use douches, powder, and/or deodorant sprays - Drink plenty of water and fluids to help flush bacteria out - Empty out your bladder every 2-3 hours or as soon as you feel the urge - Try to empty out your bladder before and after sex - Wear a cotton underwear If you have any of these symptoms make sure to schedule an appointment with your gynecologist. Your gynecologist will send you to have a urinalysis test to determine what antibiotic will work best to eliminate your UTI. When providing your urine sample it is important to provide a clean sample. Ideally, this would be done by separating the labia with one hand while using the other hand to wipe with a special wipe provided to you by the lab. Remember to wipe from front to back. Avoid touching or wiping your rectum. Before beginning to collect the urine in the sterile cup you should release a little bit of urine into the toilet and then the rest into the sterile cup. This will ensure that your gynecologist is provided with the most accurate results and can treat you with the proper antibiotic if needed.