Frequently Asked Questions
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The 411 on Incontinence
Most people think that all incontinence is the same, but incontinence comes in few different varieties: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence. Here is the difference between all three forms and how to treat them.
The amazing health benefits of cranberries: From UTI prevention to cancer
Cranberries can prevent UTIs, kill cancer cells, lower cholesterol, and even improve your memory. But how you consume them makes a difference. Here’s everything you need to know.
UTIs during pregnancy: Your guide to risks, treatment, and prevention
Over 30% of pregnant women will get a UTI. Here’s why it’s so common and how you can prevent UTIs during pregnancy—and beyond.
What is the best age to start taking care of your prostate?
50% of men over the age of 50 are impacted by their enlarged prostate. Here’s a guide for when (and how) to start taking action on your prostate health — from screening options to the best prostate supplement.
If I am experiencing frequency, how can I tell if it’s from OAB or infection?
It's not easy to define urinary frequency because what’s “normal” is different for everyone, depending on fluid intake and many other factors. Urologist, Dr. Yana Barbalat explains some of the most common reasons why you might be experiencing frequency.
I am experiencing UTI symptoms, but my urine cultures keep coming back negative. What should I do?
Just because you feel like you have a UTI, doesn't always mean that you have a UTI. There are many causes of UTI like symptoms which are often very treatable. The key is to find a good doctor and get the right diagnosis.
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.