Bladder infections also are called cystitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Although bladder infections can occur in women of any age, bladder infections are much more common in women between the ages of 20 and 50.[1] An estimated 15% of women experience recurrent UTIs.
Among the types of bacteria that can cause bladder infection are:
• Escherichia coli (E coli), a type of bacteria that is normally present in the intestinal tract and which is responsible for most cases of UTIs.
• Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis), a type of bacteria that is transmitted via sexual contact with an infected partner
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae), the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, a disease that is transmitted via sexual contact with an infected partner
Practices that can introduce bacteria from other parts of the body or from another person into the bladder, thereby causing bladder infection, include:
• Wiping upwards (i.e., from back to front) after urination, which can spread bacteria (e.g., E. coli) from the anal area to the vaginal area
• Touching the anus with a finger or sex toy during sex, followed by touching the vagina with either the same unwashed finger or same unwashed sex toy
• Unprotected anal intercourse, followed by unprotected vaginal intercourse
• Unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner who has a chlamydia infection. Note that some people can have chlamydia infections without experiencing symptoms.
• Unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner who has gonorrhea. Remember that some people can have a gonorrhea infection without experiencing symptoms.
Many factors can contribute to susceptibility to bladder infections, including:[1, 2]
• Not drinking adequate amounts of water, which can lead to dehydration and infrequent flushing out of normal bacteria in the kidneys and bladder
• Regularly postponing urination until a more"convenient" time, which can lead to infrequent flushing out of normal bacteria in the bladder
• Undergoing catheterization of (i.e., inserting a tube into) the bladder during certain medical procedures. Catheterization of the bladder can irritate the bladder, as well as making it more likely for bacteria from the outside to enter the bladder.
• Irritants that may result in the breakdown of the glycoprotein layer (i.e., consisting of molecules containing proteins and sugars) on the outside membrane of cells lining the bladder
• Irritants that may result in the migration of certain types of inflammatory cells (known as mast cells) into the lining of the bladder
• Drinking certain beverages, such as tea, coffee, and alcohol, which can irritate the lining of the bladder, allowing slight bleeding in the bladder to occur. Bacteria can more easily enter an irritated bladder that is undergoing slight bleeding.
• Consumption of spicy and/or acidic foods, which can irritate the lining of the bladder
• Not wearing warm enough clothing in cold weather, resulting in the body becoming chilled, thereby putting more stress on the immune system
• Using tampons during menstruation. The foreign and chemical nature of tampons can irritate the areas of the vagina and urethra (i.e., the anatomical tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body).
• Prolonged exposure to moistness in the pelvic area, caused by wearing wet or tight clothing (such as spandex material or nylon underwear) in the pelvic area or taking frequent bubble baths, which can irritate the areas of the vulva (i.e., outer and inner parts of the vagina) and urethra.
• Inadequate lubrication during sexual intercourse, therefore resulting in small abrasions of tissue, including the urethra (the tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body)
• Lack of urination soon after having sexual intercourse
• Low level of thyroid hormone, which can cause dominance of the ratio of estrogen compared to that of progesterone in pre-menopausal women. According to alternative medicine physicians, estrogen dominance in pre-menopausal women can lead to lower functioning of the immune system in preventing the overgrowth of certain types of bacteria in the vagina and bladder.
• Insufficient levels of estrogen in post-menopausal women, resulting in a change in the pH (ratio of acidity to alkalinity) of the vagina, a drop in the amount of normal bacteria in the
vagina, thinning of the lining (i.e., the mucous membranes) of the vagina, and an increase in sensitivity of the vagina and the urethra
• Negative psychological attitudes towards the relationship with a romantic partner, which may contribute to the occurrence of neurogenic (i.e., caused by the nervous system) irritation and inflammation of the lining of the bladder after intercourse
• Blocked energy flow in the pelvic area. According to alternative medicine physicians, blockage of energy in the 2nd chakra (region of energy flow) can contribute to
irritation and inflammation of the lining of the bladder.
Some bladder infections, especially at the beginning of the infection, may cause no apparent symptoms.[1] However, many bladder infections are accompanied by symptoms. Signs and symptoms of bladder infections may include:[1, 2]
• Urgency of urination
• Frequency of urination, regardless of the amount urinated
• Sensation of not having completed urination
• Sensation of burning, stinging, or pain just before, during or immediately after urinating
• Feeling of pressure, discomfort, or pain in the abdomen, urethra, and/or bladder
• Swelling of the urethra
• Cloudy-looking urine
• Blood in the urine
• Unpleasant smelling urine
Complications of untreated bladder infections may include:[1, 2]
• Spread of the infection to the kidney (a serious, yet treatable, condition known as pyelonephritis. Symptoms of pyelonephritis may include pain in the mid and/or lower back, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Consult your physician immediately if you are experiencing these symptoms.
• Spread of a sexually-transmitted bacterial infection (such as chlamydia or gonorrhea) within the pelvic region to the fallopian tubes. This serious, yet treatable, condition is called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Symptoms of PID may include fever and pain in the pelvis. Possible consequences of PID may include infertility, spread of the infection to the abdominal cavity (a condition called peritonitis), and complications of peritonitis. Consult your physician immediately if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Diagnosis of bladder infections by a physician involves examination of a sample of urine under the microscope and in the laboratory and confirmation by culture (i.e., taking a sample of the urine and growing microbes from it in the laboratory) that certain microbes were present in the original specimen of urine. Consult your integrative medical physician or gynecologist for diagnosis of bladder infections, pyelonephritis, and PID.
For a discussion of prevention and treatment of bladder infections, see our Q&A called, "Treatment of Bladder Infections."
REFERENCES
1. J. Reichenberg-Ullman. Whole Woman Homeopathy. 2004. Edmonds, WA: Picnic Point Press.
2. I. Ikenze. Menopause & Homeopathy: A Guide for Women in Midlife. 1998. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
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