Most people will have some kind of urinary problem or injury in their lifetime. The common urinary problems include Urinary tract infection, Urinary incontinence, kidney stones, stress incontinence.

Dr Lee Lih Charn, Senior Consultant from the Department of Urogynaecology at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, gives detailed answers to your questions.

Question by cocoa_girl

1. I am looking to reduce my risk of developing a urinary tract infection. Please advice
2. Is Urinary Tract Infection is more common in married women?

Thank You
regards

Answered by Dr Lee Lih Charn, Senior Consultant, Department of Urogynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital

Urinary tract infection is more common among women who are sexually active. Most of the time, UTI bacteria came from the rectal organisms.

Measures to decrease UTI include cleaning the private parts from front to back ( ie. wipe from vagina towards the anus) and to pee and wash the vulval area before and after sex. We also advise patients to drink more water for a few days after sex.

Question by anggielow

My wife is 32, given birth twice and had no past history of UTI before the birth of our 2nd child. However, in the last 2 years, she has had UTI 5 times.

When she had her first episode of UTI, she was treated with antibotics and told that drinking more water, more frequent urinating and washing before and after sex could help to prevent new episodes. However, despite following the doctor's advice, she suffered 4 more episodes of UTI.

As we have had sex, in the doggie position hours prior to each UTI episode, we believe its the sex position that caused the UTI since sex in the missionary position does not give rise to UTI.

1. Are there any effective measures to prevent UTI in our situation, apart from abstaining from sex in the doggie position?
2. Do we need to test the bacteria to determine its source? I'm not circumcised but maintain good hygiene, could i still be introducing the bacteria to my wife? Will wearing a condom help?

Thank you

Answered by Dr Lee Lih Charn, Senior Consultant, Department of Urogynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital

1. UTI is very common in women. Measures to decrease UTI include cleaning the private parts from front to back ( ie. wipe from vagina towards the anus) and to pee and wash the vulval area before and after sex. We also advise patients to drink more water for a few days after sex.
2. Most of the time, UTI bacteria came from the rectal organism, condom use had not been found to prevent UTI.
3. Recurrent UTI >3 times in a year may be investigated by imaging of the kidneys to look for stones or tumours and blood sugar check to exclude diabetes mellitus.

Question by lsusan05

I have been suffering from this condition for almost a year whereby I could not hold my bladder and have the urgent and or frequent urge to go to the toilet although my bladder is not full. Recently I did a body checkup and in the urine microscopy, it reflects that the white blood cells was 162(/uL) when it should be <7 and there is positive bacteria. The GP said that there might be UTI and just asked me to drink more water and said it might be due to early morning when I have been fasting and holding the bladder and maybe close to menses period (I did the test on 28/4/11 when my period came only on 8/5/11). Initially he said it is ok when there is no bacteria, but in my case there is positive bacteria and he still said it is ok.

1. Am I required to go through other extensive tests within 1 week after my period to ensure I am not suffering from UTI or kidney infections? Do I have to take antibiotics or just drink more water to clear the infection?
2. My kidney profile shows that potassium is higher of 5.4 mmol/L when normal range is between 3.3-5.1. Is there any implications although I do not take alot of potassium rich food like bananas? It was non haemolysed serum and possible in vitro causes fir elevated potassium is excluded, and potassium has been confirmed by repest analysis.
3. Is it advisable to visit the GP or the gynae? I am single and don't think that my muscles are already weak as I have never given birth before. Please advise, thanks

Answered by Dr Lee Lih Charn, Senior Consultant, Department of Urogynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital

You would need to meet a uro-gynaecologist or urologist to assess whether you have UTI or Haematuria (ie. Blood in the urine) or frequency urgency syndrome.

Question by chenglong

Sometimes like most of the times, When I want to go shopping leaving from my house then I go to the toilet once, after that a few mins later I urge to urinate again in my house toilet second time because usually i at home when want to go out is like that and sometimes When i URNATE I CANNOT COMPLETELY empty my bladder why???

Answered by Dr Lee Lih Charn, Senior Consultant, Department of Urogynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital

There are many reasons for these symptoms such as urinary tract infection, sensitive bladder, overdrinking, post menopausal etc. We suggest that you sougtht medical help if your urine symptoms are troublesome.

Question by jasmineong

Hi Doctor,

Is a patient with urostomy have a high chance of kidney failure? How often does he/she needs to have various tests to confirm that kidneys are functioning well.

Thank you.

Best regards,
Jas

Answered by Dr Lee Lih Charn, Senior Consultant, Department of Urogynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital

Urostomy is done for various reasons. It is difficult to gauge whether the patient is at risk of renal failure without more details of their condition. Such patients are usually on long-term follow up by a urologist. I suggest that the patient discuss their case with their respective urologist.

Ref: U11