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Have you ever missed out on life's moments because you're always mapping out the nearest restroom? While we've all been there with the obvious signs - the leaks, the aches, the constant urge - the silent symptoms can often take us by surprise.
But what if you could recognize these early warnings and nip them in the bud, keeping UTIs and other bladder concerns at bay?
Let's dive deep into the intricacies of urinary tract health, understanding how to nurture and safeguard yours.
The Hidden Battles of Your Bladder
With each passing year, our bodies evolve.
The vibrant energy of youth may give way to some natural challenges, especially with your bladder and 'down there' tissues.
As estrogen and collagen weaken, the once resilient tissues become more susceptible to infections.
Add to that the declining pelvic strength, and it's no wonder the bladder begins to act up, leading to those all-too-familiar leaks and urgent restroom dashes.
Enter the UTI – the unsolicited guest almost every woman encounters. Surprisingly, UTIs aren’t reserved for the golden years.
In fact, a staggering 50-60% of women will experience a UTI during adulthood, with its frequency only intensifying post-65. (1) Ready to take control?
Leaking, frequent bathroom breaks, pain when you urinate. These are the all-too-familiar feelings of a bladder and urinary tract that aren’t feeling their best. But sometimes, the symptoms are more subtle. So what can you do when you feel those tell-tale signs creeping up on you? And what can you do to stop UTIs from showing up in the first place?
Let’s take a look at urinary tract health and how to keep yours in the best shape possible.
What Can Go Wrong With Your Bladder?
As we age, pelvic and bladder problems start to become more prevalent. Estrogen and collagen levels drop, making tissues down-there thinner and less resistant to infection. Pelvic strength wanes, making your bladder prone to leaking and prolapse. The urge to urinate becomes more frequent.
One of the most common things women experience (at any age, but more commonly as we age) is a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infection, or UTI for short, plagues many women. It’s estimated that 50-60% of women get a UTI at least once in their adult life, and problems become more common over the age of 65. (1)
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E. Coli Bacteria[/caption]
E. coli bacteria
A urinary tract infection happens when bacteria invade your urinary tract. The most common bacteria that cause UTIs are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. (2)
In the beginning stages of a UTI, the lower urinary tract is affected. The lower urinary tract includes the urethra and the bladder. This is why UTI is sometimes referred to as a bladder infection. To get technical, a bladder infection is a type of UTI — even though a lot of times, these two are used interchangeably.
When a UTI becomes more severe, it can compromise your entire urinary tract, including your kidneys. So it’s important to take these infections seriously...or if possible, put a stop to them before they start with preventive measures.
How To Tell If You Have A UTI
UTIs can be tricky since they often start off with just a sense of urgency when you need to pee or maybe a little difficulty going to the bathroom. You may try to urinate, but only a few drops come out. And then you’re running right back to the toilet when you walk out of the bathroom.
Often, we dismiss these symptoms as a minor annoyance and go about with our day.
And that’s when the more serious symptoms of UTI start. We’re talking about fever, pain in the pelvis or back, and a burning sensation when urinating. This is when things really start to get bothersome. It’s important to note that if you get to this point — you should go to a doctor immediately for treatment.
It’s also important to note that sometimes, testing to identify UTIs isn’t entirely accurate. It’s estimated that 20% of the time, cultures miss UTIs and women get misdiagnosed because of it. (3) If this happens to you, be sure to keep this statistic in mind...and be sure to put an emphasis on bladder infection prevention.
The Best Natural Supplements For Urinary Health
If you can keep your urinary tract as healthy as possible, you may be able to avoid UTI flare-ups altogether.
Keeping your urinary tract healthy and strong means that it’s more likely to ward off infections before they even start.
Here are some of the most powerful natural herbs to help support bladder health:
D-Mannose
This powerful, naturally occurring substance has been studied for its ability to soothe and protect the urinary tract. It’s ideal for helping to keep your urinary tract in its’ healthiest state.
Studies show d-mannose can significantly reduce the risk of recurrent UTI. (4) And it’s also been shown to be as effective as antibiotics at treating active UTIs and better than antibiotics at preventing UTIs. (5,6,7)
Cranberry Powder (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
There are few ingredients more iconic for the bladder than cranberry. Remember when your grandma used to tell you to drink cranberry juice for a bladder infection? Well, there’s a good reason for that. The compounds in cranberries can help support your body’s defense system against pathogens — those sneaky microbes that can cause UTIs. (8)
In studies, cranberry appears to be helpful in supporting the body’s ability to prevent UTIs from recurring. (9,10)
Hibiscus Flower Extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Hibiscus flowers aren’t just gorgeous. These powerhouses have been used medicinally for centuries to help support healthy blood pressure levels and liver function. But they’re also amazing for your urinary tract and prized for helping to create an environment that keeps bacteria out.
Hibiscus has been studied for its role in stopping UTIs from recurring, showing promising results. (11,12,13)
Uva Ursi Leaf (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi)
The leaves of the bearberry bush, also known as barberry or uva ursi, work hard to keep your urinary tract in shape. Once metabolized, uva ursi supports a healthy balance of bladder and urinary tract bacteria.
Uva Ursi’s a standout for bladder health, and it has been for centuries. Unsurprisingly, research backs up the idea that uva ursi is great for bladder health and kills the bacteria that can cause UTIs. (14,15,16)
The Ultimate In Bladder Health from Isa and Rootganic
Natural supplements are a great way to get in those bladder-lovin ingredients daily and maintain the health of your urinary tract, which is why I’ve included all of these superstar ingredients in my Ultimate Bladder Health formula.
This blend combines the most powerful and reliable natural ingredients to help support your body in keeping your bladder and urinary tract healthy.
Learn more about my Ultimate Bladder Health formula by clicking here.
Isa Herrera, MSPT, CSCS is a New York City-based holistic women's pelvic floor specialist, author of 5 books on pelvic health, including the international best seller Female Pelvic Alchemy, and the ground-breaking self-help book, Ending Female Pain, A Woman's Manual. She has dedicated her career to advancing awareness of pelvic floor conditions so that more people can find relief from this silent epidemic that affects over 30 million people in the US alone. Ms. Herrera holds a BA in Psychology and Biology from Fordham University and also a Masters in Physical Therapy from Hunter College.
