The Link Between PCOS and UTIs: How to Prevent Them
If you suffer from PCOS, you might also be susceptible to getting frequent UTIs.
In fact, women with PCOS are more prone to UTIs than women without the condition.
But what is the connection between PCOS and UTIs?
And more importantly, what can you do to prevent them? Keep reading to find out.
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What are UTIs?
Urinary tract infections or more commonly referred to as UTIs are a type of infection that occurs in the urinary tract.
UTIs are more common in women than men because of the anatomy of the female urinary tract.
The urethra—the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body—is shorter in women than it is in men, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder.
Symptoms of a UTI
Symptoms of a UTI can vary per individual but these are some of the classic symptoms to look out for:
A strong urge to urinate even though your bladder isn't full
A burning sensation or pain when urinating
Cloudy or bloody urine
Foul-smelling urine
Pelvic pain
Low-grade fever
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor—untreated UTIs can lead to serious kidney infections.
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What's the link between PCOS and UTIs?
PCOS is a complex hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive disorder that affects up to 15% of women of childbearing age.
Women with PCOS often have high levels of androgens, which are male hormones.
Androgens can interfere with ovulation and cause other problems, such as thinning hair, weight gain, and acne.
One of the main symptoms of PCOS is insulin resistance, which means your body doesn't respond properly to the hormone insulin.
Women with PCOS often suffer from high levels of insulin in their bodies, which can lead to bacterial overgrowth in the urinary tract. This increases their risk of developing a UTI.
Insulin resistance is also thought to play a role in the development of UTIs because it can make it harder for the body to fight off infections.
Women with PCOS tend to be in a state of inflammation and studies show that inflammation can lead to recurrent UTI infections. So it can be a vicious cycle for some women.
How can I prevent UTIs?
So now that we know how common UTIs are for women with PCOS and what the symptoms are, let's talk about how we can prevent them.
One easy way is to take cranberry supplements. Cranberry supplements have been shown to be effective at preventing UTIs.
Why cranberry supplements?
Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), compounds that can prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract and causing an infection.
PACs also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the inflammation that makes you more susceptible to UTIs in the first place.
The Best Cranberry Supplement for UTIs
When choosing a cranberry supplement, you want to do your research. There are quality products and then there are products that are not so great.
Research suggests that a daily dose of 500 mg of cranberry powder with at least 36 mg soluble cranberry PACs may reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs.
I recommend TheraCran One by Theralogix. TheraCran One contains 36 mg of proanthocyanidins per daily dose—this is the exact same amount found to be most effective in clinical trials. Taking just one capsule daily can help keep UTIs at bay so you have more time to live your best life!
TheraCran One is the only cranberry supplement independently tested and certified in the US for its purity and proanthocyanidin content.
ConsumerLab chose TheraCran One cranberry supplement as the Top Pick for 2021! When compared to similar supplements, TheraCran One contains the highest level of PACs while also being the most affordable.
Here is the actual size of the pill for those that like to see how large pills are before buying.
Other ways to avoid UTIs
Here are some other things you can do to prevent UTIs:
Drink plenty of water. Drinking lots of fluids helps flush out bacteria from your urinary tract.
Wipe front to back after using the bathroom. This will help keep bacteria from getting into your urethra.
Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Wearing tight-fitting clothing can trap bacteria against your skin and increase your risk of developing a UTI.
Avoid douching. Douching can disrupt the normal balance of good and bad bacteria in your vagina and increase your risk of infection.
Empty your bladder soon after sex. This will help flush out any bacteria that may have entered your urinary tract during sex.
Don't hold it. When you feel the urge to urinate, use the bathroom. Holding it in can increase your risk of developing a UTI.
Reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. Eating too much sugar can increase your risk of UTIs. Cutting back on sugar may also help improve your insulin resistance and reduce the symptoms of PCOS.
These are just a few things you can do to prevent UTIs.
Avoiding UTIS with PCOS
If you're a woman with PCOS, it's important to be aware of the link between PCOS and UTIs.
Women with PCOS are more prone to developing UTIs, so it's important to take steps to prevent them.
Taking a cranberry supplement like TheraCran One can help promote urinary tract health and reduce your risk of developing a UTI.
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