If you’re a woman in perimenopause or menopause and you’ve been dealing with UTIs, you’re not alone. UTIs are a common (and often unwelcome) side effect of menopause. But don’t worry – here’s what you need to know about UTIs in menopause and how to deal with them. Keep reading for helpful tips and advice from women who have been there before. You can get through this!
Menopause is the perfect time to visit a naturopathic doctor. Perimenopausal women should seek out natural healing practices offered by doctors of Naturopathy who can help them address any hormone imbalances and prevent chronic diseasess setting in during this stage of life. You will get the answers you need to have a better quality of life and balance your body systems, even during this transition period.
Menopause is not a disease. It’s a life process and is defined by not having a menstrual cycle for one full year. Perimenopause refers to the time in and around menopause when symptoms begin and cycles can become irregular.
Urinary Issues and Menopause
We focus today on urinary issues in menopause, the most common being – thinning of the urinary tissues from lack of estrogen. This can lead to incontinence and also an increased risk of infection within your urinary tract.
Did you know that every day in the United States, over 3000 women enter menopause?
Urinary tract infections are very common bacterial infections of the urinary system. They can be acute with pain, discomfort, and burning as well as being under the radar where there may only be minor symptoms such as feeling pressure above the pubic bone or increasing frequency with urinating without any other signs beforehand. These types don’t always make women realize they have one.
How does one acquire a urinary tract infection?
It’s mostly caused by an introduction of bacteria into the urethra. This happens because the tissues that cushion the vagina and urinary tract lose estrogen. They shrink and become thin. This makes it harder to move wiping and sex fluid out of the body, which can let bacteria travel up the urethra.
Support Urinary Health
There are several things we can do in natural medicine to help support urinary health.
Food and Hydration
UTIs can be incredibly frustrating. Not only are they frequently painful, but they can also become a recurring problem if not treated properly. One of the best ways to reduce your risk of UTIs is to eliminate refined sugar and flour from your diet. These foods can damage the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut, making you more susceptible to infection. In addition, it is vital to drink at least two liters of water a day so you can flush things through. This will help to keep your urinary tract healthy and reduce your risk of UTIs.
Cranberries
Cranberries are a delicious and healthy option to add to your meals and drinks. They are rich in antioxidants and fiber and have been shown to have many health benefits. Cranberries have a substance within them that prevent the bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urethra and the bladder. It can be used as a great preventative. Unsweetened cranberry juice is great, or you can try fresh, raw blended cranberries.
Unsweetened cranberry juice can be very tart. I recommend drinking two ounces of 100% cranberry juice in 10 ounces of water with half a teaspoon of honey. It’s best to stir it up and drink it quickly so the benefits can be absorbed faster.
These days there are some great cranberry formulas found at the local health food stores. I found a combination of cranberry along with D Mannose is very effective at helping cleanse out the urinary tract. You will need to avoid large amounts of animal protein because that can add strain to the kidneys.
Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C is important for many reasons. It helps boost the immune system, increases collagen production, and protects against free radical damage. But how much Vitamin C should you take? The answer may depend on your bowel tolerance levels. This can vary between 2000 milligrams and 10,000 milligrams a day.
Probiotics
Probiotics are essential for more than just good gut health. They also help prevent infections by filling up the “parking lot” with friendly bacteria so unwanted microbes have nowhere else to go, thus eliminating them from our bodies. This is a great way to address urinary system issues.
Incontinence Concerns
If you’re dealing with incontinence, it can be a complicated and overwhelming situation. You’ll want the help of multiple practitioners to get through it.
It is best to start with a visit to your GYN and see what your conventional options are. From there, you can then ask for a referral to pelvic floor physical therapy and get an assessment. After that, I would recommend reaching out to your local naturopathic doctor, like me, to see what natural support can be brought in to help you feel better.
You are not alone. Millions of women experience urinary issues during menopause, and there are ways to manage them. The information in this blog post should help you start feeling better soon. If you have any questions or want additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to schedule a discovery call with you and discuss your specific needs. In the meantime, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and take probiotics regularly- all of which can support urinary health. Thank you for reading!
If you’re experiencing urinary symptoms along with your menopausal transition and would like help getting to the bottom of it, we’d be happy to schedule a discovery call with you. During this call, we can discuss your symptoms in more detail and come up with a plan tailored specifically for you.
If you haven’t joined our Private Facebook Group, please go HERE.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional
