Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
If you deal with urinary tract infections that keep coming back, you know how frustrating and painful this cycle can be. At TwelveStone Health Partners, we understand how this chronic condition can affect your daily life. You deserve answers, relief, and a clear path forward.Understanding Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection happens when bacteria enter your urinary system and cause infection. Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Most UTIs affect the bladder and urethra, but they can spread to the kidneys if left untreated.
Chronic urinary tract infections occur when these infections return again and again. Doctors consider UTIs chronic when you have two or more infections in six months or three or more within a year.
Difference Between Acute and Chronic UTIs
An acute UTI is a single infection that clears up with treatment. You take antibiotics, the infection goes away, and you move on. A chronic UTI is different. The infection either never fully clears or keeps returning despite treatment. This pattern requires a different approach to care and often involves a deeper investigation into why your body struggles to fight off these infections.
Who Is at Risk for Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
Certain groups face a higher risk of developing chronic urinary tract infections:
- Women, due to their shorter urethra, which allows bacteria to reach the bladder more easily
- Older adults
- People with diabetes
- Those with weakened immune systems
- Anyone who uses a catheter
- People with structural issues in their urinary tract
Causes and Risk Factors of Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
Bacteria, most often E. coli, cause the majority of urinary tract infections. These bacteria normally live in your digestive system, but cause problems when they enter your urinary tract.
Sexual activity can introduce bacteria to the urethra. Menopause reduces estrogen levels, which changes the urinary tract and increases infection risk. Kidney stones, enlarged prostate, and other blockages trap urine and create conditions where bacteria thrive.
How TwelveStone Health Partners Treats Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
At TwelveStone Health Partners, we take a thorough approach to treating chronic urinary tract infections. We start by identifying the specific bacteria causing your infection through detailed lab testing. This helps us choose the most effective treatment for your situation.
For complex or drug-resistant infections, we may prescribe Zemdri (plazomicin). This antibiotic treats complicated urinary tract infections when other medications have failed or when the bacteria resist standard treatments. Zemdri works against many difficult-to-treat bacteria, including some that have developed resistance to other antibiotics.
Our clinical team monitors your progress throughout treatment. We adjust your care plan as needed to ensure the infection clears completely. We also work with you on prevention strategies to reduce the chance of future infections.
How to Prevent Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
Prevention plays a key role in managing chronic UTIs. Small changes in your daily habits can make a real difference.
Follow these tips:
- Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
- Urinate soon after sexual activity
- Empty your bladder fully each time you urinate
- Avoid holding urine for long periods
- Choose showers over baths
- Wear breathable, cotton underwear
- Drink plenty of water
Organizational Resources
UTI Health Alliance is a non-profit organization that provides education, advocacy, and outreach for urinary tract infections (UTIs) – the most diagnosed outpatient infection in the United States.
The Alliance for Patient-centred UTI Research (APUR) is a global collaboration that aims to improve UTI management and understanding through patient-centered research and advocacy.
The Chronic Urinary Tract Infection Campaign (CUTIC) is a not-for-profit organization that works to raise awareness about chronic UTIs, challenge tests that fail to diagnose them and ensure effective treatment.
New Patient Resources
Take the First Step Toward Lasting Relief
Living with chronic urinary tract infections doesn’t have to be your normal. At TwelveStone Health Partners, we combine expert care with proven treatments like Zemdri to help you break the cycle of recurring infections. Our team listens to your concerns, answers your questions, and builds a treatment plan that fits your life.
You deserve to feel comfortable and confident in your body again. Contact TwelveStone Health Partners today to schedule a consultation and start your path toward better urinary health.
Frequently Asked Questions
