WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 1998: Re: Bladder Infections

Re: Bladder Infections

From: Patti Tessler, FNP (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 29 Aug 1998 21:32:17 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Melissa: "Bladder Infections"

At Fri, 28 Aug 1998, Melissa wrote: >
>I was intimate on Monday afternoon, Wednsday I began cramping and by
>Thursday afternoon I had a raging bladder infection.
>
>My partner thinks that I must have been intimate with someone else,
>because bladder infections come on faster than the time lapse I have
>described.
>
>Could you please give me facts on bladder infections for us to review.

Your message implies that you and your partner believe that bladder infections are sexually transmitted. In fact, sometimes women who are not sexually active get bladder infections, as do young girls.

The most common cause of bladder infections in women and girls are the bacteria that are normally found in your own rectum. Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement is a common mistake women make that can move the bacteria from the anal area to the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside.

The wetness and motion of sex, and sometimes the additional moisture provided by condoms with lubrication or spermicide, may also help the bacteria to get to the "wrong" place and cause a problem.

It is true that some women get bladder infections only after having sex. Some women also experience similar symptoms due to irritation of the bladder and urethra during sex; because these body parts are close to the vagina, sometimes the activity during sex can "beat them up" a little and lead to pain or burning when urinating.

Some ideas for prevention are to wipe from front to back after a bowel movement; urinate before and after sexual relations; drink plenty of water and urinate frequently. You should discuss other ideas and causes with your health care provider, as s/he will have more information about your particular situation.

I hope you will discuss this information with your partner, and also have a frank discussion about the expectations for monogamy and trust that each of you have.

--
Patti Tessler, BSN, MSN, RN, CS
Family Nurse Practitioner

Next message: Heidi: "Re: vaginal pain"
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In reply to: Melissa: "Bladder Infections"

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