Key Takeaways
- Many people who have a urinary tract infection (UTI) get another infection within a year.
- A new study links these recurrent UTIs to an imbalanced gut microbiome.
- Taking probiotics and eating a diet high in fiber may help lower your risk, but more research is needed.
An imbalanced gut microbiome can lead to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), a common infection of the urinary system that causes frequent and painful urination.
A new study of women with a history of UTIs found that more than 70% of participants suffered from gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome that has been linked to recurrent UTIs.
Urinary pathogens, especially bacteria such as: E. coli It causes UTIs in the digestive tract. Microorganisms travel from the anus to the opening of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, where they multiply and cause infection.
“There are good and bad bacteria in the gut, and when those bacteria are in balance, you’re in really good health,” said Igor Inoyatov, MD, clinical assistant professor of urology at NYU Langone Hospital Long Island. E. coli Considered “bad” bacteria. However, an imbalance between good and bad bacteria can cause inflammation throughout the body.
“Inflammation can affect the immune system and increase susceptibility to UTIs,” Inoyatov said.
Notes on gender and gender terminology
Verywell Health recognizes that sex and gender are related concepts, but are not the same. To accurately reflect the sources, this article uses terms such as “female,” “male,” “feminine,” and “male” as used in the sources.
Can supporting gut health help prevent UTIs?
Women are more prone to UTIs because the urethral opening is close to the anus. E. coli.
“Your chair is full of: E. coli“, Dr. R. Mark Ellerkmann, director of the Urogynecology Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, told Verywell.
It doesn't take much time to maintain good hygiene and wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom.f E. coli To cause infection.
UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics. About 30% of women who have a UTI get the same infection again within 6 months. This means that antibiotics may need to be administered several times each year to treat recurrent infections.
“These antibiotics obviously kill the bad bacteria, but they also take a toll on the good bacteria in your bladder and intestines,” Inoyatov said. “That can lead to more antibiotic resistance, which means it starts to favor the more resistant bacteria and kill off the good bacteria.”
Repeated antibiotic use, along with other dietary and lifestyle factors, may cause recurrent UTIs. Researchers have suggested that high-calorie, low-fiber diets high in simple carbohydrates and added sugars may increase the risk of microbiome breakdown and UTIs.
Fiber keeps your gut microbiome healthy and supports regular bowel movements. People who eat a low-fiber diet may experience chronic constipation, which may also increase their risk of UTIs.
“When a woman is constipated, the feces, or clumps of bacteria, sit around for too long, which can lead to a UTI,” Inoyatov said.
Eating a fiber-rich diet and staying hydrated can help reduce your risk of constipation, support a healthy gut microbiome, and potentially lower your risk of UTIs.
Probiotics and cranberry supplements may help.
Some evidence suggests that probiotics, or microorganisms in foods or supplements that support the body's good bacteria, may help prevent recurrent UTIs. A 2019 randomized controlled trial found two strains of probiotics. Lactobacillus Cranberry extract effectively reduced recurrent UTIs in premenopausal adult women.
Cranberry extract also helps reduce UTIs because it contains proanthocyanidins, which help retain certain bacteria, such as: coli, Prevents it from sticking to the urinary tract.
Ellerkmann says concentrated cranberry pills and D-mannose supplements (a sugar that prevents bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract wall) may help lower your risk of UTIs.
“It’s more likely to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract,” Ellerkmann said.
Other practices, such as urinating after sex, staying hydrated, and not holding in urine, can also help lower the risk of UTIs, but anyone stuck in a cycle of recurrent UTIs should consult a trusted healthcare professional.
“Don’t be shy. We should not think that this is a hygiene issue,” Inoyatov said. “Usually it's rarely the patient's fault. Once people understand that diet and hydration play an important role, they should be able to have these conversations with their urologist. “Our goal is to have as few UTIs as possible.”
What this means to you
Certain practices, such as wiping from front to back after going to the bathroom or urinating after sex, can reduce the risk of UTIs, but if your gut microbiome is imbalanced, it may also be helpful to consider diet and lifestyle factors. However, it is important to discuss your UTI risk with a trusted healthcare provider to find the prevention and treatment strategy that is best for you.