Urinary tract infections

A urinary tract infection occurs when a large number of bacteria are present in the bladder or kidneys. Although men can also get bladder or kidney infections, they are much more common in women. On this page, we focus specifically on UTIs in women.

There are many symptoms of urinary tract infection. These are the most common:

• Needing to urinate more often
• An urgent need to urinate
• Feeling the need to urinate again soon after just going
• Inability to hold in the urge to urinate
• Small leaks or loss of urine
• Pain or burning in the urethra or at its opening while urinating
• Lower abdominal pain and/or lower back pain
• Blood in the urine
• Cloudy urine
• Urine with a strong smell

Urinary tract infections are not transmissible, but the spread of germs during sexual relations can contribute to them. Many factors increase the risk of contracting a UTI, including advanced age (fecal and urinary incontinence), anal intercourse, sexual activity, diaphragm or spermicide use, menstruation, pregnancy, diabetes, menopause, prostate disease, immunosuppression, recent urological surgery, antibiotic use, and structural abnormalities. According to a study published in the journal Nature Microbiology, recurrent urinary tract infections may also be due to an imbalance in the microbiome.

There are simple ways to prevent UTIs:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Don’t hold in your urine for too long.
• Avoid constipation..
• Urinate just before and after penetrative sex or other sexual contact.
• For postmenopausal women, consider local or oral hormone replacement therapy.

Other advice, often passed down from one generation to the next, is more folklore than science. For example, wiping from front to back after a bowel movement or wearing cotton underwear are common habits, but they have not been shown to lower the risk of UTI. These recommendations are mostly related to general comfort and hygiene practices.

UTI symptoms can be similar to those caused by other common issues affecting the vulvar, vaginal or urinary areas, such as sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), vaginitis, or hormonal changes related to menopause. In those cases, treatment for a UTI would not be effective.

A UTI is confirmed through a urine analysis and culture. To ensure accurate results, it’s important to collect the sample properly.

Here is the recommended method: Begin by urinating for two to three seconds to naturally flush out bacteria present at the entrance of the urethra. Then clean the urethral area with the provided wipe. Next, collect urine in the container, filling it about halfway, without touching the inside. Finally, make sure your name appears correctly on the container label.

If you’ve had unprotected oral or penetrative sex, it’s recommended to get tested for STBBIs such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Unlike STBBIs, urinary tract infections are not transmitted through sexual contact. However, penetrative or oral sex can lead to irritation, burning, or urinary symptoms that resemble a UTI. These activities may also help bacteria at the urethral opening move into the bladder.

Other factors that may increase the risk of UTIs include:

• Pregnancy
• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Menopause
• Recent urologic surgery
• Congenital abnormalities of the urinary system
• Use of a diaphragm or spermicide

UTIs are usually treated with oral antibiotics. The choice of medication depends on several factors, including medication history, known drug allergies, the specific bacteria found in the urine, and antibiotic resistance.

In most cases, treatment involves either a single dose of antibiotic powder dissolved in water or a short course of antibiotics taken over a few days. Preference is given to options that are lesslikely to cause resistance or side effects, such as diarrhea or vaginitis.

The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs are fosfomycin, a single-dose powder and nitrofurantoin, taken as tablets or capsules two to four times a day for five days. These options are preferred because they have low rates of side effects and antibiotic resistance. Other antibiotics, such as sulfonamides or quinolones like ciprofloxacin, are reserved for more severe infections, especially those affecting the kidneys and accompanied by fever or pain in one or both flanks.

We offer fast diagnosis for urinary and vaginal infections and provide treatment adapted to your needs.

• Consultation for urinary tract infections and unusual vaginal discharge
• Trichomoniasis detection
• STD screening

Take a few minutes to assess your symptoms and confirm your eligibility to a consultation with our short evaluation questionnaire. Book your appointment online or contact Biron Health Group's customer service at 1 833 590 2712.

Depending on the situation, there are several options:

• Start treatment immediately after providing a urine sample if symptoms are very bothersome, unbearable, or if blood is present in the urine.
• Wait for the results of the urine analysis, which are available within 24 to 36 hours, while staying well hydrated and taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage discomfort in the meantime.
• Wait for the results of the urine culture and antibiotic sensitivity test, which are generally available within 36 to 48 hours. In the meantime, drink plenty of water and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate discomfort.

First, it’s important to confirm that it is truly a UTI through a urine analysis and culture. Once confirmed and discussed with a nurse or doctor, three options may be considered:

• Take a nitrofurantoin capsule after sexual activity if there’s a clear link.
• Take a nitrofurantoin capsule every night for six months.
• Take a dose of fosfomycin when the risk of recurrence is high.

If you’re unsure, consult a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis through a urine analysis and culture.

The nurse or doctor can authorize repeat testing for up to 24 months, which will be added to your Biron file. You can also visit a collection centre, where a nurse may prescribe antibiotics as needed, based on the national protocol from the Institut national d’excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS).