Frequently Asked Questions
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Can men get overactive bladder? How is it different from prostate issues?
OAB can be a confusing topic because there are many causes for both men and women, and research is still under way. Here is a list of what we know can cause OAB in men and how OAB differs from prostate issues.
The UTI Tracker App
Over 100 million UTIs are diagnosed annually. Learn about Board Certified Urologist Dr. Dana Rice's digital platform and how it has helped 81% of users experience a reduction in the number of UTIs.
The different types of cranberry measurements and why they matter for UTI supplements
How do you know if a cranberry supplement is effective? It all depends on the amount of PACs and how they’re measured.
What can family members do for seniors who have recurrent UTIs?
How you can recognize their symptoms and avoid antibiotic use when unnecessary? Understanding and managing a senior’s UTI symptoms can be tricky, but prevention is possible with the proper education and resources.
The side effects of OAB medication and how they impact patient compliance
78% of people who start OAB drugs stop taking them within a year. Here are the harsh side effects to watch out for, plus the natural OAB supplement that can help.
Most asked questions people have about overactive bladder
Struggling with OAB symptoms? Here are the answers to all of your burning questions.
How much cranberry juice or dried cranberries will give you 36mg of PACs?
Cranberry juice has been studied for prevention of urinary tract infections and 240 – 300 ml of cranberry juice in those studies yielded 36-40 mg of PACs. However, this is something that cannot be generalized to all cranberry drinks and juices.
What is the recommended treatment of an elderly patient with incontinence and recurrent UTIs?
Incontinence and recurrent UTIs often co-exist in the same population of geriatric patients. Therefore, it can be tricky to figure out whether to treat a UTI based on the degree of incontinence.
What is the official urologist protocol for treating a positive dip stick?
As a urology community, we have guidelines that can help guide our management but very often doctors differ in their practice based on their experience and training. There is also a constant influx of new data that can guide us one way or another.
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 Dr. Yana Barbalat 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.