Page 110 - Urological Health

If you develop an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, stop it immediately and report your symptoms to your
doctor so that your antibiotic can be changed.
–Antibiotics may decrease the efficacy of oral contraceptive pills – so while on antibiotics (and 7 days
after completing treatment), you should use condoms or other contraceptive methods.
–Not all antibiotics are safe in early pregnancy, so inform your doctor about any chance of being pregnant.

–If you develop a vaginal yeast infection while on your antibiotics, you can use over-the-counter anti-yeast
medication.

If you have about three infections in one year (also called recurrent urinary tract infections) or if
your doctor suspects any abnormality in the urinary tract, you may need more tests, such as:
• Ultrasound of kidney and bladder for any stones, foreign bodies, high post-voiding
residual
• Kidney scan to assess the effect of recurrent infections on the kidney
Take note of these special conditions:
UNDER REVIEW
• If you have more than three infections in one year, you may take antibiotics for three days
as soon as you develop symptoms of a UTI.
• If you develop a UTI after intercourse, you may take an antibiotic two hours after sex to
prevent an infection.
• If you are postmenopausal, you may benefit from estrogen placed directly in the vagina
to prevent UTIs. The estrogen hormone is needed for healthy tissue of the vagina and
urethra. At menopause, you lose this hormone and you lose tissue in your urethra and it
becomes less elastic and thin. Also, the vaginal pH will increase your chances of getting
a UTI.

•The application of topical estrogen over the urethra and vaginal tissues will strengthen the sensitive
tissue and lower vaginal pH which will reduce recurrent infections.

•4 to 6 weeks of topical application are needed for it to be effective.
•Lower maintenance doses are needed to sustain healthy tissue changes.

•The estrogen creams placed in the vagina will work locally without any significant absorption to the
blood stream.

10. UTI during pregnancy

• Pregnancy is associated with hormonal and anatomical changes which increase the risk
of UTI.
• UTIs during pregnancy can potentially endanger the mother and fetus and result in
complications, such as premature birth.

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