UTIs: Urinary Tract Infections
Understanding UTIs: Prevention and Treatment of Recurrent Infections
If you have ever experienced a urinary tract infection, you are likely familiar with how uncomfortable and disruptive it can be. Symptoms such as burning during urination, frequent urgency, and lower abdominal discomfort can interfere with daily life. For many women, however, UTIs are not a one-time event. They recur repeatedly, creating frustration and ongoing health concerns.
At Maud Medical UTI Clinic in Calgary, our physicians take recurrent urinary tract infections seriously. Frequent UTIs deserve proper assessment, education, and a thoughtful care plan that looks beyond temporary symptom relief.
This article explains what UTIs are, why they occur, what contributes to repeat infections, and how evidence-based treatment and prevention strategies can help break the cycle.
What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter and multiply within the urinary system. The urinary tract includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Most UTIs involve the lower urinary tract, particularly the bladder and urethra.
Common symptoms include:
Burning or pain with urination
A persistent or urgent need to urinate
Pelvic discomfort or pressure
Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
Blood in the urine in some cases
Fatigue or a general feeling of being unwell
When the infection spreads beyond the bladder and reaches the kidneys, symptoms may escalate to fever, chills, nausea, or back pain. These cases require prompt medical attention.
How Common Are UTIs in Women?
Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections in women. Data from the Canadian Urological Association shows that approximately half to sixty percent of women will experience at least one UTI during their lifetime. Of those women, nearly one third will develop another infection within six months.
Recurrent UTIs are defined as three or more infections in one year or two or more infections within six months. These patterns can occur at any age but are more frequently seen after sexual activity begins, during perimenopause and menopause, and in individuals with specific anatomical or immune-related factors.
At Maud Medical Clinic, our Calgary-based physicians understand that recurrent UTIs impact far more than physical comfort. They affect sleep, relationships, sexual health, work productivity, and overall wellbeing.
What Causes UTIs?
Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli, which naturally live in the gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria can migrate to the urethra and bladder, where they multiply and cause infection.
Several factors can increase UTI risk, including
Sexual activity, which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract
Use of spermicides or diaphragms, which may disrupt protective vaginal bacteria
Menopause-related estrogen decline, leading to thinner, less resilient urinary tissues
Incomplete bladder emptying, allowing bacteria to remain in the bladder
Inadequate fluid intake, resulting in less frequent urination
Chronic constipation, which can affect bladder mechanics
Conditions such as diabetes or immune suppression that impair infection defense
Understanding which of these factors apply to you is an important step in reducing recurrence.
Why Some UTIs Keep Coming Back:
Recurrent urinary tract infections are not always random. In many cases, they are linked to underlying contributors that have not been fully addressed.
Common contributors to repeated UTIs include
Bacteria that are not completely cleared with initial treatment
Hormonal changes affecting the urinary tract lining
Pelvic floor dysfunction that interferes with proper bladder emptying
Structural concerns such as bladder prolapse or urethral narrowing
When antibiotics are prescribed repeatedly without further evaluation, symptoms may improve temporarily but return soon after. At Maud Medical Clinic in Calgary, our physicians focus on identifying contributing factors and creating a prevention plan that supports long-term bladder health.
How UTIs Are Diagnosed:
Diagnosis usually begins with a urine sample to assess for infection and inflammation. A urine culture may be performed to identify the specific bacteria involved and determine appropriate antibiotic therapy.
For individuals with recurrent infections, further evaluation may include
A pelvic exam to assess estrogen status and pelvic support
Bladder scanning to evaluate how completely the bladder empties
Review of lifestyle factors, medications, and hydration habits
Referral for imaging or urology consultation when indicated
This comprehensive approach allows treatment to be tailored rather than standardized.
Treatment Options for UTIs
Uncomplicated UTIs are typically treated with a short course of oral antibiotics. Recurrent infections, however, often require a broader strategy.
Treatment options may include
Targeted antibiotic plans, including longer or preventive regimens when appropriate
Self-start antibiotic prescriptions for select patients under physician guidance
Vaginal estrogen therapy for postmenopausal patients to restore tissue health and reduce infection risk
Pelvic floor physiotherapy to address muscle dysfunction, bladder emptying issues, or pelvic pain
Lifestyle modifications focused on hydration, bowel regularity, and bladder habits
Or more
Maud Medical Clinic offers pelvic floor physiotherapy as part of a collaborative care model, allowing patients to access coordinated medical and rehabilitative support in one setting.
Preventing Future UTIs
While not all UTIs can be prevented, many risk factors can be modified. Preventive strategies commonly discussed at include
Maintaining adequate hydration unless medically restricted
Urinating after sexual activity to help flush bacteria
Practicing front-to-back wiping to reduce bacterial transfer
Avoiding scented or perfumed vaginal products
Wearing breathable underwear and minimizing prolonged moisture
Addressing vaginal dryness or hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause
Prevention works best when it is individualized and supported by medical guidance.
When to Seek Medical Care
Painful or burning urination
Frequent urgency with minimal urine output
Blood in the urine
Fever, chills, or flank pain
If you have had more than one UTI within six months, further evaluation is warranted. Recurrent infections should never be dismissed or normalized.
Whole-Person Care at Maud Medical Clinic
Recurrent UTIs affect more than the bladder. They can impact emotional wellbeing, intimacy, confidence, and daily functioning. At Maud Medical Clinic in Calgary, our approach goes beyond prescribing medication.
Our physicians focus on
Listening carefully to your concerns
Identifying contributing factors
Coordinating medical and pelvic health care
Supporting hormonal balance, bladder training, and evidence-based prevention
This whole-person model is designed to help patients achieve lasting improvement rather than short-term relief.
Doctor Appointments at Maud Medical Clinic
Maud Medical Clinic in Calgary provides medical care for a wide range of vaginal and urinary health concerns, including
PAP smear screening
STI and UTI testing and treatment
IUD and Nexplanon services
Family planning and preconception care
Pelvic floor and sexual health concerns
Menstrual discomfort and incontinence
Postpartum care
Menopause hormone therapy
Physician services are covered with a valid provincial healthcare card.
Urinary tract infections may be common, but they should never be accepted as inevitable or ignored. Whether you are experiencing your first UTI or struggling with repeated infections, the team at Maud Medical Clinic in Calgary is here to help you understand your options, address underlying causes, and regain control of your bladder health.
References
Canadian Urological Association. Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women.
Public Health Agency of Canada. Urinary Tract Infections
