Utiva Community Knowledge Center About UTIs

Frequently Asked Questions

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Cranberry PACs and D-Mannose: Is it okay to combine them?

Two of the best natural options for preventing UTIs are cranberry PACs and D-mannose. But taking them at the same time can actually be less effective. Here’s why.

Are cranberry pills safe for people who are on blood thinners?

Cranberries are considered safe for patients who take Warfarin (Coumadin®). All recent larger studies point to the fact that there is no interaction between cranberry and blood thinners. Therefore, experts believe that cranberries, and cranberry products, are safe to consume with Coumadin®.

Are cranberry pills safe for people who suffer from kidney stones?

Scientific evidence shows that the consumption of cranberry juice does NOT increase urinary oxalate levels or increase the risk of stone formation. In fact, studies have shown that cranberry juice may suppress kidney stone formation by LOWERING urinary oxalate excretion and increasing citrate excretion, which tends to prevent stone formation.

Is it Safe to Use D-mannose in patients with diabetes?

D-mannose is a sugar found naturally in many fruits and berries. However, unlike glucose, a sugar that we have all heard about, D-mannose is absorbed very slowly in the gut making it safe for people whith diabetes.

How to stay hydrated and prevent UTIs during Ramadan

During Ramadan, fasting can cause major dehydration and other complications, like UTIs. Here’s how to make this your healthiest, most hydrated Ramadan yet.

Let’s Talk: Taboos and Stigmas Around Women’s Health & UTIs

45% of women don’t talk to anyone about their vaginas. To smash the stigma, we need to talk openly about women’s health, from UTI treatment to sexual pleasure.

What is the role of ureaplasma in UTIs?

Ureaplasma is a bacterium that is sometimes found in the vagina. This bacterium typically comes from a current or previous sexual partner and lives in the vagina along with the other bacteria that co-exist in there, often not causing any symptoms or long-term issues.

Skene’s Glands and UTIs: What’s the deal?

Skene’s glands consists of two small ducts located along both sides of the female urethra. They are composed of the same tissue as the clitoris and play a vital role in both urinary and sexual health. Occasionally, when people have frequent urinary tract infections, the skene’s glands can get recurrently infected with bacteria and inflamed.

What are the most common UTI-related questions a urologist gets?

UTIs are very distressing and tend to really impact one’s quality of life. Some patients develop recurrent urinary tract infections and that’s generally when they get referred to a urologist. Doctor Yana Barbalat answers the most common UTI-related questions she gets.

How do I know the difference between Interstitial Cystitis and UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria adheres to the bladder wall and infects parts of the urinary tract. Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful bladder condition with an unknown cause. How can we tell the difference between the two? Board Certified Urologist, Yana Barbalat gives us her take on what sets these two conditions apart.

Is there a correlation between overactive bladder and UTIs?

Ever wonder if overactive bladder and UTIs are correlated? Board Certified Urologist Dana Rice breaks it down for us.

Are UTIs more common as we age?

UTIs tend to peak at two time periods in a woman’s life. Typically, between the ages of 18 and 30, and again after the age of 60. In men, UTIs are uncommon until after the age of 60. Dr. Yana Barbalat breaks it down to better understand why we're more prone to UTIs as we age.

What’s the most effective UTI test?

The first step to treating a UTI is testing it. Here’s everything you need to know about UTI testing — and how accurate results make all the difference.

What is vulvodynia and does it relate to UTIs?

Vulvadynia is a chronic pain disorder, localized to the opening of the vagina and the vulva. Women who have vulvodynia often complain of pain with sexual intercourse and tampon insertion. Some symptoms of vulvodynia can overlap with those of a typical UTI, such as vaginal burning, vaginal pressure, frequency, and urgency to urinate.

How to talk to your partner about UTIs

Communication is key in any relationship, and the same goes for talking about your UTI struggles. Here’s how to chat about UTIs with your partner and what they can do to support you best.

What is an Embedded UTI?

You may be familiar with recurrent UTIs, but do you know what an embedded UTI is? Although not a medical term, an embedded UTI is from a persistent source of infection and will often come back after the use of antibiotics to reinfect the urine.

Summertime UTIs: Are we more prone to UTIs in hot weather?

Our top tips and prevention techniques to stop summer UTIs before they start — from keeping your bikini dry to upgrading your daily supplements.

My Painful Vulva: My Chronic Vulvar Pain Journey

My vaginal pain began 3 years ago, with a throbbing and burning pain originally isolated to during and after intercourse. That pain quickly escalated to every-day soreness, itchiness, and shooting pains up my vaginal walls. It took a year and a half to get a proper diagnosis.