Overview
Urinary tract infection is a common affliction that can happen to both men and women. It can range from a minor health problem to a life-threatening one.
Symptoms
Patients may feel unwell, feverish, and experience pain in the back (kidney area) or lower abdomen (bladder area). Some patients will experience pain along the urinary passage when passing urine.
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Treatments
Urinary tract infection is treated with antibiotics. If the infection is mild, a 5 day course of oral antibiotics is sufficient treatment. If the infection is severe, hospitalisation and intravenous antibiotics may be necessary.
After the treatment has commenced, it is important to investigate if there is a problem with the urinary tract. An ultrasound or CT scan may be necessary, as well as flexible cystoscopy to check the bladder.
Possible causes of urinary tract infection include: urinary stones, blockage of the urinary tract, diabetes mellitus, prostate enlargement in men and postmenopausal changes in women.
Women who have recurrent UTIs
Recurrent UTI? Stop treating the symptoms & get to the root cause
Keep getting urinary tract infections that won’t go away?
Temporary relief from antibiotics is common, but without identifying the root cause, the infection may continue to recur.
Why does your UTI keep coming back?
Recurrent UTIs may be a sign that something deeper is not being addressed.
Cause of recurrent UTI include:
- Incomplete treatment of a previous infection
- Antibiotic resistance
- Kidney stones
- Structural abnormalities in the urinary tract
- Bladder emptying issues
- Postmenopausal changes affecting the vagina
Simply taking antibiotics repeatedly may not solve the problem.
Are you experiencing this repeatedly?
- Burning sensation when passing urine
- Frequent urge to urinate
- UTI symptoms returning after treatment
- Temporary relief followed by recurrence
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen
If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with a recurring UTI.
When UTIs keep recurring, further evaluation is important
Repeated infections can:
- Lead to more severe infections
- Affect kidney function over time
- Become harder to treat due to resistance
Identifying the root cause early helps prevent complications.
Why See a Urologist?
While initial UTIs are often treated by general practitioners, recurrent cases usually require further investigation.
A urologist can:
- Identify underlying causes
- Perform detailed diagnostic tests
- Provide targeted treatment
Assessment & Diagnostic Approach
Women who have recurrent UTIs should be assessed thoroughly, to find out if there is any underlying condition contributing to the UTIs. Investigations may include:
- Urine tests
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder
- CT scan of the urinary tract
- Flexible cystoscopy (a test where a thin flexible endoscope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder)
This structured approach helps identify the root cause rather than repeatedly treating symptoms.
Treatment plan tailored to the cause
Depending on the findings, treatment may include:
- Targeted antibiotics based on culture results
- Management of underlying conditions
- Preventive measures to reduce recurrence eg. cranberry supplements, probiotics
- Lifestyle and behavioural guidance
The goal is long-term resolution, not temporary relief.