Probiotics, especially ones with strains from the Lactobacilli family, may be helpful in preventing urinary tract infections. Because Lactobacilli are present in healthy, premenopausal women, maintaining a balance of these probiotic bacteria may support the body in fighting off the pathogens that cause UTIs.

In this blog post, we will go over what UTIs are, what causes them and how they are treated. In addition, we will share several preventative measures you can take against the onset of a UTI and to help decrease the severity of symptoms.

Probiotics are one of these measures. We’ll dive deeper into the multiple, effective ways a high-quality probiotic supplement can help strengthen the body against a UTI.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

A Urinary Tract Infection, commonly known as a UTI, is a bacterial infection that occurs in any part of your urinary system, including your urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys.

Most often, infection occurs in the bladder and urethra, resulting in a feeling of urgency to urinate, frequent urinations and a burning sensation when urinating.

If left untreated and in severe cases, a UTI can affect the kidneys. The bad bacteria causing the infection can enter the bloodstream and have potentially fatal consequences.

How it Starts

A UTI occurs when bad bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) make their way into the urinary system and have the chance to settle and multiply, causing an infection.

Many of the bacteria that can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), like E. coli, naturally live in the human body. In a healthy, balanced microbiome—especially in areas like the gut, vagina, and urinary tract—these potentially harmful bacteria are kept in check by beneficial microbes. But when the balance of good bacteria is disrupted, such as through antibiotic use, stress, or diet, it creates an opportunity for unwanted bacteria to multiply. When E. coli overgrows in the gut, it can migrate to the vaginal or urinary tract, where it may trigger an infection

The two most common types of UTIs occur in the bladder or the urethra. In some, more severe cases, the kidneys can be affected.

A bladder infection (or cystitis) is often caused by the harmful bacteria E. coli. This pathogen commonly lives in the gastrointestinal tract. Given female anatomy and the close proximity between the anus, urethra and bladder, it’s possible that E. coli and other bacteria make their way from the anus into the urethra and up to the bladder.

A UTI can also be caused by bad bacteria finding their way to the bladder and urethra in other ways, including through sexual activity, catheters, kidney stones, and insufficient amounts of estrogen in the lining of a woman’s uterus. To add to those, sexually transmitted diseases, like herpes, gonorrhea and chlamydia, can also cause an infection of the urethra since it’s so close to the vagina.

In addition, Infection can occur because of a blockage in the urinary tract. The main job of the urinary system is to filter toxins out of the body via urine. If urine collects in the bladder, this creates a hotspot for bad bacteria to grow. This kind of urine build up can be caused by a descended bladder in women and an enlarged prostate in men.

If a UTI is not treated properly, the bad bacteria can travel into the kidneys and cause infection there. This leads to a much more severe and dangerous case of urinary tract infection. These patients often have to be hospitalized.

Symptoms and Risks

Symptoms range depending on what part of the urinary system is infected.

In the case of a bladder infection, patients typically experience frequent and painful urination sometimes with blood in the urine, discomfort in the lower abdomen and pelvic pressure.

When infection occurs in the urethra, there is typically a burning sensation during urination and vaginal discharge.

And if there is an acute kidney infection, people have upper back and side pain, a high fever with shaking and chills, nausea and vomiting.

It’s important to note that a kidney infection can develop even a few weeks after an initial UTI. If you have recently suffered from a UTI, even one with very mild symptoms, and you start experiencing more severe symptoms, seek out a medical professional immediately.

A kidney infection is not to be taken lightly. The pathogenic bacteria can enter the bloodstream and send your body into sepsis, a toxic and sometimes deadly response.