One of the most common infections in pregnancy is urinary tract infection, known as cystitis, which is suffered by about 10 percent of pregnant women.
The hormonal changes produced in the body produce an increase in vaginal secretions and the relaxation of the muscle tone of the ureters, making the flow of urine slower.
As a result, it takes longer for urine to travel through the urinary tract and out, which can cause bacteria to multiply and lead to infection .
Likewise, it must be taken into account that urine infections are more frequent in women ” because the urethra is shorter than in men and the microorganisms existing in the intestinal flora colonize the vagina and can ascend to the bladder” Dr. Manuel Ramírez, urologist at the Torrejón University Hospital.
In summer, more cystitis
In addition, during the summer, environmental factors such as heat and swimming in swimming pools increase the risk of urinary infection because water can alter the defensive flora and thus facilitate the appearance of cystitis.
“The heat favors sweating and reduces the volume of diuresis or urine, which is a risk factor for infections,” explains the doctor. In addition, he adds, “the baths in beaches and swimming pools condition another clear risk factor, the humidity maintained in the vagina, which facilitates cystitis due to cooling and the lack of perspiration .”
Symptoms of cystitis
Cystitis indicates the presence of microorganisms in the urine, associated with voiding symptoms, for example:
- Frequent urination during the day (frequency)
- Difficulty and pain or burning when urinating (dysuria)
- Persistent feeling of urination desire (tenesmus)
- Sometimes bleeding in the urine hematuria (hematuria)
How to prevent cystitis
- Drink between two and three liters of water a day.
- Perform frequent urination: “a patient with recurrent infections should not be more than three hours without urinating,” says Dr. Ramírez.
- Change the wet swimsuit for dry clothes, to avoid prolonged humidity and facilitate perspiration
- Use underwear made of natural fabrics.
- Consume extracts of cranberry, D-Mannose and Vitamin C, in addition to probiotics, especially if antibiotics have been taken repeatedly.
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