Fore River Urology – Prompt, Personalized Urologic Care in Maine
What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that can affect any part of the urinary system—including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection.
What Causes a Urinary Tract Infection?
UTIs are often caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. Common causes and risk factors include:
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Sexual activity
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High blood sugar (diabetes)
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Menopause
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Pregnancy
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Kidney stones
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Enlarged prostate
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Weak immune system
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Bedrest or recent surgery
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Use of urinary catheters
UTIs are more common in women. In fact, studies show that 60% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, and 20–40% will have recurrent infections.
How to Prevent a UTI
You can lower your risk of developing a UTI with the following prevention strategies:
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Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the day to flush out bacteria.
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Urinate frequently: Don’t hold it in—empty your bladder every 3–4 hours.
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Practice proper hygiene: Wipe from front to back.
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Avoid certain birth control methods: Spermicidal foams and diaphragms may increase UTI risk.
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Prevent constipation: Regular bowel movements help reduce bladder pressure.
When to Contact a Doctor
See a urologist or primary care provider if you experience any of these UTI symptoms:
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Pain or burning during urination
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Frequent urge to urinate, even when the bladder is empty
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Cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine
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Pain in the lower back, bladder, or pelvic region
How Are UTIs Treated?
UTIs are typically treated with antibiotics:
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Simple UTIs: Treated with a short 3–5 day antibiotic course.
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Complicated UTIs: May require longer treatment or IV antibiotics in severe cases.
Always finish the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve.
What Are Recurrent UTIs?
Recurrent UTIs are defined as 2 or more infections within 6 months or 3 or more within a year. These can significantly affect daily life and may signal an underlying issue.
Fast, Accurate Diagnosis
We prioritize rapid care with same-day appointments during the week (for established patients). Our practice uses cutting-edge technology to return urine culture results in as little as 24 hours, far faster than traditional 3-day methods.
Common Causes of Recurrent UTIs
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Postmenopausal changes
- Sexual activity
- Bladder/kidney stones
- Urinary tract abnormalities
- Weakened immune system or diabetes
Diagnostic Tests for Recurrent UTIs
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Urinalysis and Urine Culture
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Detects presence of bacteria, white blood cells, and other markers of infection.
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At Fore River Urology, we offer cutting-edge technology to return culture results within 24 hours, faster than the traditional 3-day turnaround.
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Post-Void Residual (PVR) Measurement
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Uses ultrasound to determine how much urine remains in the bladder after urination, which can indicate poor bladder emptying.
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A thin camera is inserted into the bladder to visually examine the bladder lining and rule out stones, tumors, or structural abnormalities.
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Imaging Tests (e.g., Renal Ultrasound or CT Urogram)
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Help detect anatomic abnormalities, kidney stones, or other upper urinary tract issues.
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Urodynamics (in select cases)
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Measures bladder pressure and function to assess for voiding dysfunction.
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These tests help tailor a personalized prevention and treatment plan to reduce future infections.
Prevention Strategies
- Stay well-hydrated (1.5L per day)
- Urinate after intercourse
- Avoid irritating hygiene products
- Consider vaginal estrogen for postmenopausal women
- Cranberry supplements or D-mannose (in select cases)
- Prophylactic or postcoital antibiotics when appropriate
Get Relief Today
Fore River Urology provides expert, compassionate care for those dealing with recurrent UTIs. We tailor prevention and treatment to your needs.
