UTIs
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Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a prevalent health issue that is often discussed on the . In an episode with Dr. Rena Malik, a urologist and pelvic surgeon, some key insights were shared about UTIs, which are especially common among women, with up to 50% experiencing at least one in their lifetime. The likelihood drops significantly for men due to physiological differences such as a longer urethra, which decreases the risk of infection. However, when men do get UTIs, further medical investigation is often warranted to rule out abnormalities 1.
Key preventive strategies include maintaining proper hydration, which helps flush out bacteria and reduce the risk of infection. Drinking around two to three liters of water daily is recommended. For those experiencing recurrent UTIs, cranberry supplements can be beneficial but should contain the active ingredient proanthocyanidins (PACs) to be effective. D-mannose is another supplement shown to help reduce UTI risk in some individuals 2.
Dr. Malik emphasizes that personal hygiene practices, such as urinating post-intercourse or wiping front to back, are generally not backed by strong data as effective preventive measures. Instead, recurrent infections may often be linked to microbiome or hormonal factors rather than cleanliness 3.
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