Urinary Infections Specialist

What are urinary infections?

Urinary infections cause inflammation of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. They occur when bacteria enter the urinary system, resulting in irritation and discomfort. 

Anyone can develop a urinary infection, but they’re especially common in women. That’s because a woman’s urethra is within close proximity to the anus, increasing the risk of exposure to certain types of bacteria.

Urinary infections are easy to diagnose and treat. By making healthy lifestyle changes, it’s even possible to avoid them altogether.

Do urinary infections present any symptoms?

Common symptoms of urinary infections include:

• A strong, persistent urge to urinate
• Burning sensation during urination
• Urine that appears dark or cloudy
• Pelvic pain
• Foul-smelling urine
  
  

As the infection progresses, you might also experience difficulty completely emptying your bladder. 

What are the types of urinary infections?

The team at Hemet Valley Urology Medical Center treats several types of urinary infections, including:

Bladder infections (cystitis)

Cystitis is a urinary infection that affects the bladder, a balloon-shaped pouch that collects urine. Often, cystitis occurs due to E. coli, a type of gastrointestinal bacteria, but it can also occur due to unprotected sexual intercourse.

Infections of the urethra (urethritis)

Urethritis causes inflammation of the urethra, the tube that transports urine from the bladder during urination. Like cystitis, urethritis often occurs due to gastrointestinal bacteria like E. coli or bacteria transmitted through sexual intercourse.

How are urinary infections diagnosed?

To diagnose urinary infections, your provider at Hemet Valley Urology Medical Center conducts a physical exam and asks about your symptoms. Afterward, they conduct a series of tests, including urinalysis, a CT scan, or an MRI. 

If these measures don’t provide enough information to make a diagnosis, your provider might also recommend a cystoscopy.

During a cystoscopy, your provider inserts a long, skinny tube with a camera on the end through your urethra and into the bladder. The camera feeds real-time images to a monitor in the exam room, helping your provider detect signs of infection.

How are urinary infections treated?

Most urinary infections respond well to prescription antibiotics. If you experience urinary infections on a routine basis and they negatively affect your quality of life, more extensive treatment might be necessary. For example, the team might recommend vaginal estrogen therapy or a course of low-dose antibiotics for a period of six months or longer.

To explore treatment for urinary infections, make an appointment at Hemet Valley Urology Medical Center by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool today.