How To Recognize And Treat Colorectal Cancer In Women 

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition among females. It develops when bacteria enter the urethra, the tube that drains urine from the bladder to outside the body. A UTI is sometimes called a “bladder infection,” because bacteria most often invade the bladder.  Without treatment, a UTI can advance and seriously damage the kidneys. 

Women get more UTIs than men—up to 30 times more often—simply because of difference in anatomy. The urethra in females is shorter than in males, so it’s easier for bacteria to get in. Also, the female urethra is located close to the anus, the primary source of the germ Escherichia coli (E.coli) that causes more than 90% of UTIs. 

UTI symptoms you should know 

During their lifetime, 50-60% of adult women will experience a urinary tract infection. Even with antibiotics, about 26% of these women will have another UTI within 6 months.  
 
It’s important to recognize UTI symptoms in order to seek prompt treatment: 

• Pain or burning when urinating 

• Frequent urge to urinate without much urine coming out 

• Pressure in the abdomen or stomach 

• Foul odor of urine 

• Urine appears cloudy or milky 

• Blood in the urine (more common in younger women) 

• Fatigue, weakness, or confusion (more common in older women) 

M-M-M: When women are most susceptible to UTIs 

Although it’s possible to develop a UTI at any life stage, there are three key times when the risk is higher. We call these “M-M-M: Menstruation, Motherhood, and Menopause.” 

Menstruation: The years of high sexual activity, generally ages 18-39, often mark the first time a woman experiences a urinary tract infection. During sex, bacteria in the perineal area (urethra, vagina, and anus) can easily be pushed into the urethra and up to the bladder. The risk increases with a new sexual partner. 

Diaphragms help prevent pregnancy, but put pressure on the urethra, making it difficult to empty the bladder and causing an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. It’s important to note that oral contraceptive (birth control) pills are not a risk for developing a UTI. 

Motherhood: Pregnancy brings different causes for a UTI. First, the fluctuating hormones cause changes in both the urethra and its normal bacteria. Second, as pregnancy advances, uterine pressure may prevent the bladder from emptying. Either way, contact the obstetric team immediately when experiencing any symptoms of a UTI to begin safe antibiotic therapy. 
 
An untreated UTI during pregnancy (although a UTI is usually painful and impossible to ignore) can result in a premature delivery, low birth weight, and pre-eclampsia, a dangerous high blood pressure condition that threatens both baby and mother. 

Menopause: The drop in the hormone estrogen after periods stop (or if ovaries have been removed by surgery or with cancer treatment) can lead to an increase in UTIs. Estrogen loss causes thinner tissue in the vagina and urethra. The result? Dryness, irritation, and other factors resulting in UTIs. 

The decrease in estrogen has a couple of consequences. When it decreases, so do the number of protective bacteria that normally thrive in the bladder and vagina. Also, there is less estrogen to keep muscles strong, including those surrounding the urethra. Bacteria can move more easily up to the bladder. And the bladder—which is a muscle—has a harder time emptying.  

FemmePharma’s Mia Vita® Personal Lubricant & Moisturizer is FDA-cleared nonprescription relief from vaginal dryness, itching, burning, and discomfort during sex. It is made without hormones or harsh chemicals and is safe to use every day for optimal vaginal health. The pre-filled applicators are convenient and easy to use. 

UTI treatment is the same for all 

No matter the cause, UTI treatment is an antibiotic prescription. Relief comes within 1-2 days. But it’s essential to complete the entire course of antibiotics. Stopping too soon allows the infection to retreat and return.  

Women who experience recurring infections (two or more UTIs within six months or three or more within a year) should work with their health care provider to determine possible causes and create a treatment plan.  

How to prevent a UTI 

Risk of developing a urinary tract infection can be lowered with some healthy practices: 

• ALWAYS wipe from front to back. 

• Don’t hold in urine for more than 3-4 hours.  

• Urinate before and after sex. 

• Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day.  

• Wash the genital region every day with a clean washcloth. 

• Choose underpants with a cotton crotch. 

• Avoid douches and feminine hygiene sprays or powders. 

• Take showers instead of baths 

Sources: 

Aggarwal N, Leslie S, Lotfollahzadeh S. Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. Continuing Education Activity, StatPearls Publishing, National Library of Medicine, January 2024. Last updated 2 May 2024. Accessed online 11 December 2024. 

Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Last reviewed April 2024. Accessed online 11 December 2024. 

Cichowski S. UTIs After Menopause: Why They’re Common and What to Do About Them. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published November 2023. Accessed online 12 December 2024. 

Drysdale, D. Escherichia coli (E coli) Infections. Medscape. 15 October 2024. Accessed online 11 December 2024. 

Medina M, Castillo-Pino E. An introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections. Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 2019 May 2. Accessed online at PubMed Central, 11 December 2024. 

Recurrent UTI and Hormonal Birth Control. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Effective Health Care. 20 September 2019. Accessed online 11 December 2024. 

Urinary Tract Infections. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Last updated 22 February 2021. Accessed online 11 December 2024. 

Sexual health, in our individual health spectrum, is also critical for the “social and economic development of communities and countries. The Latin word for pleasure—voluptas—refers back to the Roman goddess Voluptas. (Maybe you recognize her as Hedone, as she is known in the earlier Greek mythology.) Voluptas is the daughter of Eros, the goddess of love, and Psyche, the goddess of the soul. What a pairing!

So, love plus soul equals pleasure. Sounds about right, right? Pleasure, after all, has been around since the beginning of human times. As long as we have been able to feel, we have been able to feel love, and of course, pleasure. 

But, why is pleasure important? Or, to put it another way, what makes pleasure special and powerful to experience? Our bodies release the monoamine neurotransmitter dopamine, part of our brain’s reward system, when we feel pleasure. Among daily stimulants for dopamine are pleasurable reward and motivation, and sleep and arousal. Our pleasure center does not discriminate! Whether we cuddle, eat well, or have an orgasm, dopamine gets released. It signals we are feeling voluptas, at its core.  

Moreover, we undergo a chemical motivation to seek more of what has given us that sensation. Everybody deserves to feel good, and be supported in feeling good in a way that benefits ourselves and others. When we talk about living healthily as women, health is all-encompassing. How the elements of our lives come together impact how ‘healthy’ we feel overall.  

And, the healthier we are, the more we can maximize our opportunities to engage and feel pleasure. Sexual health, in our individual health spectrum, is also critical for the “social and economic development of communities and countries.” 

From a scientific perspective, pleasure is important to look at. While one can feel ready for pleasurable experience, aging and physical health circumstances can affect what is needed for it to happen. We know women have health needs specific to women and diseases and conditions affect us differently than they do men. Women sharing their health stories is crucial. Our stories can inform others and guide awareness of what women and our bodies go through. 

Women have well-studied, and therefore predictable, hormonal changes during perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal life phases. Women’s experiences in these times range from vaginal and vulvar discomfort to declinations in skin and joint health, to mood fluctuations and changes to our gut health. At FemmePharma, we believe in the priority of women’s pleasure—women’s comfort—at every stage of their journeying and sexual health adventuring. 

Next Steps

Continually giving our bodies what they need means giving ourselves potential to thrive in our day-to-day and long term living. Pleasure is arguably key to our survival. Morten Kringelbach, a University of Oxford neuroscience professor and director of the Center for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, weighs in. He equates our experience of pleasure as a dance of “wanting, liking, and satiety,” pointing out we need “different pleasures at different times.”  

Understanding pleasure this way—as key in our development and to our survival—means figuring out how to keep pleasure accessible. In other words, as we support each other towards a healthful community, safeguarding experiences of pleasure for everyone who wants them is important.  

As we are learning, our ability to access pleasure depends on how healthy we are individually and collectively. Part of looking after our sexual health means taking care of our physical bodies. Some examples are testing for sexually transmitted diseases and assessing our sexual organ heath, alongside general body check-ups. It includes asking ourselves about whether we are having healthy sex lives, and defining what healthy looks like for us. If we want to be having sex, then plainly put: is the sex we are having making us feel good?  

These investigations of self-caring and loving have no deadline. We are learning that our sexual health is fundamental to the quality of our overall health. Just as we drink water when we are thirsty—or may meditate when we are stressed, also known to release dopamine!—we need the products, knowledge, and support to engage ourselves sexually, and otherwise, in ways that give us pleasure.  

Pleasure, our timeless friend, will appreciate our efforts—and do her best to respond back.  

Inflammation is a critical process in the body, playing both protective and harmful roles. Understanding its impact and how diet influences inflammation can empower you to make healthier choices. For women in perimenopause and menopause, chronic inflammation may exacerbate symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog. Beyond diet, factors like chronic stress, poor sleep (consider supplements like Mia Vita Sleep), sedentary lifestyles, environmental toxins, and even certain medications can contribute to persistent inflammation. By incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, managing stress, staying active, and making holistic lifestyle adjustments, you can improve your overall health and well-being. 

What Is Inflammation? 

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. It acts as a defense mechanism, signaling the immune system to heal wounds or fight off invaders. There are two types of inflammation: 

Acute inflammation

This is short term and essential for healing. For example, the redness and swelling around a cut are signs of acute inflammation. 

Chronic inflammation

When inflammation persists, it can harm healthy tissues and disrupt normal body functions. Over time, this ongoing immune response can contribute to chronic illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and even neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. It often develops silently, fueled by factors like poor diet, prolonged stress, lack of physical activity, and exposure to environmental toxins. Understanding and addressing these contributors is vital to mitigating its long-term effects. 

The Link Between Diet and Inflammation

Your diet plays a pivotal role in regulation. Certain foods can trigger inflammatory responses, while others help to reduce it. Consistently consuming a diet high in inflammatory foods increases the risk of developing chronic diseases. 

A study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation highlights the link between high-fat diets and increased markers of inflammation. Similarly, research in Biomedicines indicates that the Mediterranean diet, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, can combat inflammation and chronic diseases.  

Diet also plays a critical role in managing ‘inflammaging,’ a low-grade inflammatory state that accelerates aging and is associated with several chronic diseases. Anti-inflammatory foods may help counteract this process and support healthier aging. 

Foods That Cause Inflammation 

Certain foods are known to fuel inflammation, especially when consumed regularly. Common culprits include: 

• Processed and fried foods: Trans fats in these foods are linked to increased inflammatory markers. 
• Refined carbohydrates: Foods like white bread, pastries, and sugary snacks cause spikes in blood sugar, which can trigger inflammation. 
• Sugary beverages: High sugar intake is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. 
• Red and processed meats: These contain advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which promote inflammation. 
• Artificial additives and preservatives: Many processed foods contain chemicals that can irritate the immune system and promote inflammation. 
• Excess alcohol: Overconsumption of alcohol can lead to increased inflammation, liver stress, and disrupted immune function. 
• Omega-6 fatty acids: Found in many vegetable oils like corn, sunflower, and soybean oil, an imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids can drive inflammation. 
• Dairy products: While not inflammatory for everyone, some individuals experience inflammation due to sensitivity or intolerance to dairy. 
• Excess salt: High sodium intake, especially from processed and packaged foods, can contribute to inflammation and increased blood pressure. 

Reducing these foods in your diet can significantly lower inflammation and support overall health. 

Foods That Fight Inflammation 

In contrast, many foods have natural anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm the body’s inflammatory response. Incorporate these options into your meals: 

• Fruits and vegetables: Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, such as those found in berries, leafy greens, and broccoli. 
• Healthy fats: Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds are highly effective against inflammation. 
• Probiotics: Found in foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso. Probiotics support gut health. Consider a high-quality supplement like Mia Vita Women’s Probiotic for added benefits. 
• Whole grains: High in fiber, they support gut health and reduce inflammation. 
• Spices: Turmeric and ginger contain compounds that actively reduce inflammation. 
• Green tea: Packed with anti-inflammatory catechins, it’s an excellent beverage choice. 

By including these foods in your diet, you can promote a healthier inflammatory balance. 

Practical Tips for an Anti-Inflammatory Diet 

• Transitioning to an anti-inflammatory diet doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some actionable tips: 
• Start with small swaps: Replace refined grains with whole grains and sugary snacks with nuts and some fruit. 
• Add color to your plate: Aim for a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in every meal. 
• Incorporate healthy fats: Use olive oil as a dressing or cook with avocado oil or coconut oil. 
• Use herbs and spices: Add anti-inflammatory options like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and rosemary to enhance flavor. For a simple, soothing anti-inflammatory beverage, try making a cup of ginger tea. Here’s a quick guide: Ginger Tea Recipe. 
• Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the day and opt for green tea as an anti-inflammatory beverage. 
• Limit processed foods: Prepare meals at home to control ingredients and reduce the intake of inflammatory additives. A great anti-inflammatory meal is a simple salmon salad bowl. Try this recipe. 
• Consistency is key. Adopting these practices as part of your daily routine can lead to long-term benefits for your health. 

Inflammation, while a natural process, can become a silent contributor to chronic health issues if left unchecked. By understanding the foods that cause inflammation and embracing an anti-inflammatory diet, you can take proactive steps toward better health. Small dietary changes can make a big difference. Start today to support your body’s natural balance and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation.