Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Good evening and welcome back to Nurse Maureen's
Health Show Podcast.
Thanks so much for tuning in.
Tonight we're diving into animportant and often overlooked
topic urinary tract infectionsin menopausal and postmenopausal
women.
I should say recurrent urinarytract infections in menopausal
and postmenopausal women becausethat can happen time and time
(00:27):
again, but it's important toknow that there are prevention
strategies and treatmentsavailable.
If you're in midlife or beyondand you've noticed that you're
getting more frequent urinarytract infections even two in six
months or three in a year youare not alone.
It's a common issue that manywomen don't talk about, but one
that has real impact on qualityof life, intimacy and even
(00:50):
long-term health.
So let's explore why thishappens, what to look out for
and, most importantly, what youcan do about it.
First of all, I'd like to startwith why urinary tract
infections, or UTIs, increase atmenopause, and the short answer
is estrogen.
As your estrogen levels dropduring perimenopause and
menopause, several changeshappen in the urogenital tract.
(01:13):
The tissues of the vagina andurethra can become thinner, less
elastic and more fragile.
There's a natural acidity ofthe vagina and this also
decreases as well, so all ofthat makes it easier for
bacteria like E coli to thrive,plus, the loss of protective
vaginal bacteria, specificallylactobacilli, alters the
(01:35):
microbiome and without them, theenvironment in the urogenital
tract becomes more vulnerable toinfection.
There's also the issue ofbladder function.
As women age, we may not emptyour bladders completely, which
also allows bacteria to grow,and in things like pelvic floor
weakness, prolapse or evenstress, urinary incontinence,
(01:56):
the risk just keeps climbing,especially with prolapse.
For example, if you haveprolapse, such as anterior wall
prolapse, you may actually notempty, not be able to empty your
bladder effectively, and infact, you might notice that you
have to change position in orderto empty it.
Your stream might become slower, but the urine that stays back
(02:17):
in the bladder can actually beprone to urinary tract infection
.
Now let's talk about how aurinary tract infection can
actually show up.
What are the classic symptoms?
Well, they include burning orstinging when you urinate.
You can also get urgency andthat feels like you constantly
have to go.
You might void in small amounts, you might have cloudy or foul
(02:37):
smelling urine, and you may alsohave lower pelvic pressure or
discomfort abdominal pain.
But here's something especiallyimportant for older women or
those caring for aging parentsor partners Urinary tract
infections don't always presentin typical ways.
You can get some atypicalsymptoms like diarrhea, fatigue,
chills and even confusion orsudden changes in mental status.
(03:01):
They can all be signs of aurinary tract infection,
especially in the elderly.
So if something feels off,trust your gut and get it
checked out, because urinarytract infections can be very
dangerous in older women,because you can get urosepsis
and even and I hate to say thisyou can even die early from a
(03:21):
urinary tract infection.
I can't tell you how manypatients of mine tell me that
their mothers died of a urinarytract infection.
I can't tell you how manypatients of mine tell me that
their mothers died of a urinarytract infection.
They're like can you believe it?
Because before menopause, wethink of urinary tract
infections in younger women assomething that happens fairly
frequently.
It happens after sex Not to saythat older women aren't
sexually active and it isimportant to empty your bladder
(03:41):
after sex.
But you don't have the risk ofurosepsis when you're younger
and getting UTIs.
So people often think of UTIsas not a big deal.
But in menopause and beyond,utis can be a big deal.
But there is good news Urinarytract infections or UTIs are
treatable and often preventableand one of the most effective
(04:03):
options for postmenopausal andmenopausal women is vaginal
estrogen therapy.
In fact, according to research,it can prevent urinary tract
infections 65% of the time.
Unlike hormone replacementtherapy, it's localized
treatment.
It works directly in the vaginaand the urethral tissues and it
improves tissue strength, phbalance and restores beneficial
(04:27):
bacteria.
But I do want to mention thatthe treatment and recently I saw
on social media one of theinfluencer doctors she
mistakenly said that thetreatment for urinary tract
infections is estrogen.
Remember that is prevention.
The treatment for urinary tractinfections is estrogen.
Remember that is prevention.
The treatment for urinary tractinfections are antibiotics.
They are commonly used foractive infections and for those
(04:47):
with recurrent urinary tractinfections.
Sometimes a low-dose antibioticprotocol is considered, but
always under the guidance ofyour healthcare professional.
There are also somenon-prescription options that
might help to prevent you fromgetting a urinary tract
infection.
D-mannose is one of them.
It's a natural sugar that helpsprevent bacteria from sticking
to the bladder wall.
(05:08):
Cranberry supplements may helpfor some, but the evidence is
limited and it varies, to behonest with you.
And, of course, hydrationdrinking water, dilute urine, is
much healthier for the bladder,less irritating to the bladder
than concentrated urine, andhydration helps you to keep your
urine, dilute, front to backwiping, avoiding after sex and
(05:31):
avoiding harsh soaps or douches.
Your vagina is like aself-clean oven and you don't
need to use any soaps oranything or douches to clean it,
so your vagina will take careof itself.
But there are some other factorsto consider as well.
It's not just about bacteria.
We also need to consider pelvicfloor weakness, vaginal dryness
or some of the other symptomsof genitourinary syndrome of
(05:53):
menopause burning, itching,frequency, nocturia, urinary
incontinence, chronic illnesslike diabetes can also increase
your risk of urinary tractinfection, and also catheter use
or certain hygiene practices.
All of these can contribute torecurrent urinary tract
infections.
If you are menopausal,post-menopausal and you've
(06:14):
gotten two urinary tractinfections in a six-month period
, it's time to see your doctorabout getting treatment with
localized estrogen therapy toprevent you from getting urinary
tract infections, because youcan get very sick.
You can be hospitalized and youcan.
In fact, it's one of the mostcommon causes of emergency room
(06:35):
visits in older women.
They sometimes present as onlyconfusion, lethargy or diarrhea.
So it's really important thatyou keep track of when you've
had a urinary tract infection.
If you have three in the pastyear, you definitely need to
have preventive preventionstrategy like low-dose localized
estrogen therapy and then someof the other prevention
(06:56):
strategies I mentioned, likevoiding after sex and front
front to back wiping and makingsure that you drink enough water
.
But urinary tract infectionsaren't just uncomfortable.
They can disrupt sleep becauseyou can be getting up at night
to void intimacy, work andindependence.
And in older women, as Imentioned, they are one of the
most common, if not the mostcommon, reasons that you would
(07:18):
go to the emergency department.
And so if you have there's anolder woman in your life and
they are confused, lethargic,they're having diarrhea, you
know what you might thinkurinary tract infection.
But you don't have to suffer insilence.
As I mentioned, there areeffective solutions and you
deserve to feel comfortable andconfident in your body.
So it's very important that youpay attention to what may, in
(07:42):
your whole life, have seemed tohave been problems, just a
nothing issue that is annoyingand can impact your quality of
life a urinary tract infection.
But they're very different atmenopause and after menopause.
And something else I wanted tomention is that it is never too
late to use localized estrogentherapy and it comes in the form
of a cream, a tablet or a ring.
(08:03):
It's never too late to startusing that.
In fact, women are too late tostart using it.
A lot of the damage has beendone because the vaginal tissues
can change.
They may have experiencedurinary incontinence, urgency,
urinary tract infection.
So estrogen is excellent andit's low dose.
It does actually cross oversystemically but there is not an
(08:24):
increase or an associatedincrease risk of breast cancer.
But some does cross over intothe systemic area and you may
actually feel some breasttenderness.
Some women report abdominalpain.
If you take too much of it youmight get a yeast infection.
But it's a very importanthormone that can prevent urinary
(08:45):
tract infections.
And so I had one doctor onetime say you know, she's 83,
she's too far from menopause.
It's not going to help her forme to prescribe low dose
localized estrogen therapy, butthat's infections.
And so I had one doctor onetime say you know, she's 83,
she's too far from menopause.
It's not going to help her forme to prescribe low dose
localized estrogen therapy, butthat's not the case.
It is for postmenopausal women.
It's just important.
It's an important subject andI'm happy to educate you about
this.
I talked to my colleagues aboutthis.
I educate a lot of colleaguesabout it because you know women
(09:07):
will come in presenting withsymptoms and you know you may
not associate it with urinarytract infection or you may not
realize that these women, oncethe estrogen decreases in the
urogenital tract and they canget dryness and pain with sex,
burning, itching, and alsothey're at increased risk of
urinary tract infection.
So very important to addressthis issue and improve the
(09:29):
quality of life for yourself andor, if you're a healthcare
provider, your patients.
If you think that this episodewill help somebody else, feel
free to share it.
Anyway, I am Maureen McGrath,the registered nurse, nurse,
continence advisor, sexualhealth educator, and thank you
so much for tuning in.
Gentlemen, let's talk tech foryour tool.
The Firm Tech ring isrevolutionizing erections,
(09:52):
tracking performance, boostingstamina and supporting your
sexual health with real scienceReady to level up in the bedroom
.
Head on over to MyFirmTechcomand use the code NURSEMOREEN15
for 15% off of any FirmTechorder.
Firmtech hard science forharder health, because
performance matters, guys.
(10:15):
If urinary leaks or strugglesin the bedroom are holding you
back, it's time to take control.
Btlm cell are, better known asthe kegel throne, is a game
changer boosting pelvic floorstrength, improving bladder
control and even enhancing bloodflow for better performance.
In just 30 minutes.
This non-invasive treatmentdelivers thousands of muscle
(10:36):
contractions, helping you regainthe confidence where it matters
most.
No surgery, no downtime, justresults.
Stronger pelvic floor, betterbladder control, improved
intimacy.
Book your session today Formore information.
Good evening and welcome back to Nurse Maureen's
Health Show Podcast.
Thanks so much for tuning in.
Tonight we're diving into animportant and often overlooked
topic urinary tract infectionsin menopausal and postmenopausal
women.
I should say recurrent urinarytract infections in menopausal
and postmenopausal women becausethat can happen time and time
(00:27):
again, but it's important toknow that there are prevention
strategies and treatmentsavailable.
If you're in midlife or beyondand you've noticed that you're
getting more frequent urinarytract infections even two in six
months or three in a year youare not alone.
It's a common issue that manywomen don't talk about, but one
that has real impact on qualityof life, intimacy and even
(00:50):
long-term health.
So let's explore why thishappens, what to look out for
and, most importantly, what youcan do about it.
First of all, I'd like to startwith why urinary tract
infections, or UTIs, increase atmenopause, and the short answer
is estrogen.
As your estrogen levels dropduring perimenopause and
menopause, several changeshappen in the urogenital tract.
(01:13):
The tissues of the vagina andurethra can become thinner, less
elastic and more fragile.
There's a natural acidity ofthe vagina and this also
decreases as well, so all ofthat makes it easier for
bacteria like E coli to thrive,plus, the loss of protective
vaginal bacteria, specificallylactobacilli, alters the
(01:35):
microbiome and without them, theenvironment in the urogenital
tract becomes more vulnerable toinfection.
There's also the issue ofbladder function.
As women age, we may not emptyour bladders completely, which
also allows bacteria to grow,and in things like pelvic floor
weakness, prolapse or evenstress, urinary incontinence,
(01:56):
the risk just keeps climbing,especially with prolapse.
For example, if you haveprolapse, such as anterior wall
prolapse, you may actually notempty, not be able to empty your
bladder effectively, and infact, you might notice that you
have to change position in orderto empty it.
Your stream might become slower, but the urine that stays back
(02:17):
in the bladder can actually beprone to urinary tract infection
.
Now let's talk about how aurinary tract infection can
actually show up.
What are the classic symptoms?
Well, they include burning orstinging when you urinate.
You can also get urgency andthat feels like you constantly
have to go.
You might void in small amounts, you might have cloudy or foul
(02:37):
smelling urine, and you may alsohave lower pelvic pressure or
discomfort abdominal pain.
But here's something especiallyimportant for older women or
those caring for aging parentsor partners Urinary tract
infections don't always presentin typical ways.
You can get some atypicalsymptoms like diarrhea, fatigue,
chills and even confusion orsudden changes in mental status.
(03:01):
They can all be signs of aurinary tract infection,
especially in the elderly.
So if something feels off,trust your gut and get it
checked out, because urinarytract infections can be very
dangerous in older women,because you can get urosepsis
and even and I hate to say thisyou can even die early from a
(03:21):
urinary tract infection.
I can't tell you how manypatients of mine tell me that
their mothers died of a urinarytract infection.
I can't tell you how manypatients of mine tell me that
their mothers died of a urinarytract infection.
They're like can you believe it?
Because before menopause, wethink of urinary tract
infections in younger women assomething that happens fairly
frequently.
It happens after sex Not to saythat older women aren't
sexually active and it isimportant to empty your bladder
(03:41):
after sex.
But you don't have the risk ofurosepsis when you're younger
and getting UTIs.
So people often think of UTIsas not a big deal.
But in menopause and beyond,utis can be a big deal.
But there is good news Urinarytract infections or UTIs are
treatable and often preventableand one of the most effective
(04:03):
options for postmenopausal andmenopausal women is vaginal
estrogen therapy.
In fact, according to research,it can prevent urinary tract
infections 65% of the time.
Unlike hormone replacementtherapy, it's localized
treatment.
It works directly in the vaginaand the urethral tissues and it
improves tissue strength, phbalance and restores beneficial
(04:27):
bacteria.
But I do want to mention thatthe treatment and recently I saw
on social media one of theinfluencer doctors she
mistakenly said that thetreatment for urinary tract
infections is estrogen.
Remember that is prevention.
The treatment for urinary tractinfections is estrogen.
Remember that is prevention.
The treatment for urinary tractinfections are antibiotics.
They are commonly used foractive infections and for those
(04:47):
with recurrent urinary tractinfections.
Sometimes a low-dose antibioticprotocol is considered, but
always under the guidance ofyour healthcare professional.
There are also somenon-prescription options that
might help to prevent you fromgetting a urinary tract
infection.
D-mannose is one of them.
It's a natural sugar that helpsprevent bacteria from sticking
to the bladder wall.
(05:08):
Cranberry supplements may helpfor some, but the evidence is
limited and it varies, to behonest with you.
And, of course, hydrationdrinking water, dilute urine, is
much healthier for the bladder,less irritating to the bladder
than concentrated urine, andhydration helps you to keep your
urine, dilute, front to backwiping, avoiding after sex and
(05:31):
avoiding harsh soaps or douches.
Your vagina is like aself-clean oven and you don't
need to use any soaps oranything or douches to clean it,
so your vagina will take careof itself.
But there are some other factorsto consider as well.
It's not just about bacteria.
We also need to consider pelvicfloor weakness, vaginal dryness
or some of the other symptomsof genitourinary syndrome of
(05:53):
menopause burning, itching,frequency, nocturia, urinary
incontinence, chronic illnesslike diabetes can also increase
your risk of urinary tractinfection, and also catheter use
or certain hygiene practices.
All of these can contribute torecurrent urinary tract
infections.
If you are menopausal,post-menopausal and you've
(06:14):
gotten two urinary tractinfections in a six-month period
, it's time to see your doctorabout getting treatment with
localized estrogen therapy toprevent you from getting urinary
tract infections, because youcan get very sick.
You can be hospitalized and youcan.
In fact, it's one of the mostcommon causes of emergency room
(06:35):
visits in older women.
They sometimes present as onlyconfusion, lethargy or diarrhea.
So it's really important thatyou keep track of when you've
had a urinary tract infection.
If you have three in the pastyear, you definitely need to
have preventive preventionstrategy like low-dose localized
estrogen therapy and then someof the other prevention
(06:56):
strategies I mentioned, likevoiding after sex and front
front to back wiping and makingsure that you drink enough water
.
But urinary tract infectionsaren't just uncomfortable.
They can disrupt sleep becauseyou can be getting up at night
to void intimacy, work andindependence.
And in older women, as Imentioned, they are one of the
most common, if not the mostcommon, reasons that you would
(07:18):
go to the emergency department.
And so if you have there's anolder woman in your life and
they are confused, lethargic,they're having diarrhea, you
know what you might thinkurinary tract infection.
But you don't have to suffer insilence.
As I mentioned, there areeffective solutions and you
deserve to feel comfortable andconfident in your body.
So it's very important that youpay attention to what may, in
(07:42):
your whole life, have seemed tohave been problems, just a
nothing issue that is annoyingand can impact your quality of
life a urinary tract infection.
But they're very different atmenopause and after menopause.
And something else I wanted tomention is that it is never too
late to use localized estrogentherapy and it comes in the form
of a cream, a tablet or a ring.
(08:03):
It's never too late to startusing that.
In fact, women are too late tostart using it.
A lot of the damage has beendone because the vaginal tissues
can change.
They may have experiencedurinary incontinence, urgency,
urinary tract infection.
So estrogen is excellent andit's low dose.
It does actually cross oversystemically but there is not an
(08:24):
increase or an associatedincrease risk of breast cancer.
But some does cross over intothe systemic area and you may
actually feel some breasttenderness.
Some women report abdominalpain.
If you take too much of it youmight get a yeast infection.
But it's a very importanthormone that can prevent urinary
(08:45):
tract infections.
And so I had one doctor onetime say you know, she's 83,
she's too far from menopause.
It's not going to help her forme to prescribe low dose
localized estrogen therapy, butthat's infections.
And so I had one doctor onetime say you know, she's 83,
she's too far from menopause.
It's not going to help her forme to prescribe low dose
localized estrogen therapy, butthat's not the case.
It is for postmenopausal women.
It's just important.
It's an important subject andI'm happy to educate you about
this.
I talked to my colleagues aboutthis.
I educate a lot of colleaguesabout it because you know women
(09:07):
will come in presenting withsymptoms and you know you may
not associate it with urinarytract infection or you may not
realize that these women, oncethe estrogen decreases in the
urogenital tract and they canget dryness and pain with sex,
burning, itching, and alsothey're at increased risk of
urinary tract infection.
So very important to addressthis issue and improve the
(09:29):
quality of life for yourself andor, if you're a healthcare
provider, your patients.
If you think that this episodewill help somebody else, feel
free to share it.
Anyway, I am Maureen McGrath,the registered nurse, nurse,
continence advisor, sexualhealth educator, and thank you
so much for tuning in.
Gentlemen, let's talk tech foryour tool.
The Firm Tech ring isrevolutionizing erections,
(09:52):
tracking performance, boostingstamina and supporting your
sexual health with real scienceReady to level up in the bedroom
.
Head on over to MyFirmTechcomand use the code NURSEMOREEN15
for 15% off of any FirmTechorder.
Firmtech hard science forharder health, because
performance matters, guys.
(10:15):
If urinary leaks or strugglesin the bedroom are holding you
back, it's time to take control.
Btlm cell are, better known asthe kegel throne, is a game
changer boosting pelvic floorstrength, improving bladder
control and even enhancing bloodflow for better performance.
In just 30 minutes.
This non-invasive treatmentdelivers thousands of muscle
(10:36):
contractions, helping you regainthe confidence where it matters
most.
No surgery, no downtime, justresults.
Stronger pelvic floor, betterbladder control, improved
intimacy.
Book your session today Formore information.
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