BLADDER INFECTIONS: HOW TO FIND RELIEF

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[2] Keep the vaginal and anal areas clean, preferably with a mild, nonperfumed soap such as Ivory.

[3] Drink plenty of fluids to dilute the urine (so it will provide less nourishment for E. coli) and keep the system flushed. We recommend eight tall glasses of water a day.

[4] Urinate frequently, at least once every two or three hours. This will expel bacteria and eliminate the urine they feed on.

OTHER FACTORS

As any woman who has suffered UTI will confirm, cystitis is more than just a minor infection: It can become an unwelcome part of one's life. If you get recurrent UTI—as 10-15% of all women do—you should probably take steps to determine what factors might be contributing to the situation. Possible causes include (but aren't limited to) the following:

Stress. Job or family problems . . . school pressures . . . decreased resistance due to another illness . . . and premenstrual tension have all been known to contribute to the onset of cystitis. A personal stress management program (many people use meditation, yoga, or regular exercise) may help.

Lovemaking. UTI has long been associated with sex. (In fact, it's still occasionally referred to by the now rather archaic term "honeymoon cystitis".) If you suspect this is the cause of frequent flare-ups, discuss the problem with your partner . . . you may want to change styles of lovemaking or methods of birth control. (Urinating both before and after intercourse is also a good idea.)

Underwear. Choose cotton undergarments, since that natural fabric is less irritating than are synthetic fibers. Cotton also allows the vaginal/anal area to "breathe", and doesn't tend to trap bacteria-attracting heat and moisture.

Menstrual products. Blood is an excellent culture medium for bacteria, so avoid its buildup by changing tampons or sanitary napkins frequently. Also, beware of deodorant tampons (which can cause allergic reactions) and superabsorbent types (which expand in the vagina and can irritate the neighboring urethra).

Estrogen. As the level of estrogen in a woman's blood rises, so does her susceptibility to cystitis . . . because this hormone makes the urinary tract more hospitable to bacteria. Therefore, pregnant women (whose bodies release estrogen naturally) and those who use oral contraceptives (the pills raise estrogen levels artificially) are especially susceptible to UTI. If you take birth control pills and have recurrent bladder infections, you might consider switching to lower-estrogen pills . . . or—as mentioned before—even choosing an entirely different contraceptive method.

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