Bladder woes? It Could Be an Infection
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Maybe you’ve been in a casual conversation with your girlfriends when the subject of bladder trouble comes up. Someone is excusing herself to use the bathroom -- again -- plus she’s complaining of mild pain in an unusual area of her abdomen.
You and your friends might be correct in suggesting it’s a bladder infection, but it’s good to get one’s medical terms straight -- along with helping her check her calendar for a needed doctor’s appointment.
A “bladder infection” is one of three possible infections that can occur in the urinary tract. It’s possible, for instance, for the kidneys, which produce urine by removing waste and water from the blood, to become infected in a condition called pyelonephritis.
Then again, it could be a problem with the urethra, the tube that helps you empty your bladder. An infection is called urethritis.
But if it’s your bladder, where urine is stored, be aware that an infection in that area is the most common infection involving the urinary tract, and it’s called cystitis.
All of these “itises” come under the umbrella of urinary tract infections and produce similar symptoms, including: pain in your side, abdomen or pelvic area; a frequent need to urinate; painful urination; blood in the urine; and urine of an unusual color or smell. You could even feel fatigue, chills and fever from a urinary tract infection.
Medical experts note that UTIs are more common in women than men, with the simple reason being anatomy: the route by which bacteria can enter your urinary system is shorter in women. In fact, the female urethra is just an inch and a half.
In addition, the urethra is closer to the anus, where it’s common to find bacteria. Interestingly, more than 90 percent of cystitis cases come from E. coli bacteria (normally found in your gut) entering the urinary tract, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Sometimes you can track the cause of cystitis to vaginal intercourse, which can allow bacteria to get to the bladder through the urethra. There’s a name for bladder infections that seem to occur almost every time a woman has sex: “honeymoon cystitis.”
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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