Article: Bladder - Urinary Tract Infection After Hysterectomy

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Article: Bladder - Urinary Tract Infection After Hysterectomy
I just got home from my doctor's office. I've been feeling lousy and having trouble urinating. My doctor told me that I had a bladder infection. Is this a typical part of the hysterectomy recovery?

Cystitis, (also called bladder or urinary tract infection) is a common condition, is usually caused by a bacteria from the anus entering the urethra and then the bladder. This leads to inflammation and infection in the lower urinary tract.

Catheterization can also lead to a UTI, which is why it's not uncommon for newly post-op hysterectomy patients to come down with an infection. Immobility (such as recovering from surgery) and not drinking enough water can also contribute to developing an infection.
The symptoms of a UTI include:

Pressure in the lower pelvis
Pain or burning with urination
Frequent or urgent need to urinate
Need to urinate at night
Cloudy urine or blood in urine
Foul or strong urine odor
Painful sexual intercourse
Pain in the side, vomiting, or fever and chills (may be a sign of kidney involvement)

If you experience any of these symptoms, please see your doctor so that a urine sample may be obtained. Lab work will indicate if an infection is present. If so, you will be treated with a course of appropriate antibiotics.

Tips for prevention include:

Keep your genital area clean.
Wipe from front to back.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Urinate before and after sexual intercourse.
Avoid beverages that irritate the bladder, like alcohol and caffeine.
Drink cranberry juice, but NOT if you have a personal or family history of kidney stones.
DO NOT douche or use feminine hygiene products.
Wear cotton undergarments.

Use of low-dose antibiotics on a daily basis may be recommended to prevent UTIs if you get frequent infections.

Along with an antibiotic medication like Cipro, your doctor may prescribe Pyridium to reduce the burning and urgency associated with cystitis.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.