What is a UTI?
UTI which is Short for urinary tract infections, are infections of the kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, or urethra due to any external or internal causes.
uti vaginal odor
Close up shot of woman having painful holding hands pressing her crotch lower abdomen.
Women with UTIs will have the following symptoms:
- Discomfort during peeing, which is commonly characterized as a burning sensation
- Cloudy urine or discolored with traces of blood on it
- Frequent urge to urinate accompanied by extremely small volumes of urine excreted
- Pelvic pain with tenderness at the sides or lower abdomen
- Urine leakage
- Urine with a strong odor
UTI causes
Either of the following bacteria will cause a UTI when they enter the urinary tract: Escherichia Coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus saprophyticus
They may enter the urinary tract via the following means:
- History of previous UTIs
- Certain contraceptive methods including spermicide
- Change in vaginal flora, such as change in vaginal pH makes it prone to infections
- Diabetes and other chronic illnesses
- Having a urinary catheter
- Having stone(s) in your kidney or urinary bladder
- Incomplete urination, which is urinating without completing the bladder
- Long-term use of catheters
- Menopause and post-menopause
- Poor hygiene
- Pregnancy
- Sexual activity
- Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement, hence causing bacteria from fecal matter to enter the vagina
What is a Normal Vaginal Discharge?
Normal vaginal discharge should be clear, white, or off-white.
The vaginal discharge lubricates the vaginal wall and prevents infections.
It may be thin, elastic, and sticky or thick and gooey
One of the symptoms that make it easiest to differentiate between normal and abnormal vaginal discharge is the odor
Normal vaginal discharge will always be odorless or have a mild musky odor, which can only be smelled from a close distance.
Vaginal discharge in UTI or other bacterial diseases produces a bad, pungent odor.
Any of the following appearances of vaginal discharge are concerning and may be categorized as UTI vaginal discharge symptoms.
- unpleasant odor
- Foamy or cottage-cheese-like texture
- Greenish hue to the vaginal discharge, which looks something like pus
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting apart from the menstrual period
- Vaginal itching, dryness, burning, redness, or swelling
Prevention
There is not much you can do to prevent UTI vaginal discharge but you may take the following few steps to reduce the possibility of developing UTI associated with vaginal infections
- Don’t use unnecessary douches and scented feminine hygiene products, such as vaginal sprays.
- Change swimsuits or gym clothing as soon as you can
- Regularly changing sanitary pads or other menstrual products
- Hydrate
- Urinating pre and post sex
- Urinating fully whenever you feel the need to
- Wearing breathable and soft underwear
- Wiping from front to back after defecating
Treatment of UTI Vaginal Discharge
- Prescription antibiotics
- Antifungal creams
- Antifungal pessaries
- people with menopause who are experiencing changes and odors associated with hormonal changes, you can take localized or oral hormone replacement medications
