Playing Catch-up with Pelvic Health: Urinary Tract Infections and Prolapse
Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Tract Infections: Essential Information for Women
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition that impacts over half of all women, and it's no picnic. This ailment occurs when the pelvic floor muscles weaken, allowing organs like the bladder and uterus to push against the vaginal wall. The results? Pelvic pressure and the sensation of bulging tissue. It's enough to make anyone cringe, but the issues don't stop there.
You see, POP can wreak havoc on pelvic health, particularly when it comes to urinary tract infections (UTIs). When pressure is applied to the bladder, it can become difficult for the organ to empty completely. This creates the perfect environment for urine stagnation, leading to bacterial growth. And you guessed it - this is a recipe for repeated UTIs.
But the challenges don't end with POP; post-surgical complications can persist for some women. In fact, more than 12 percent of American women will undergo POP surgery in their lifetime. For those who find relief from other symptoms after surgery, post-surgical UTIs can linger.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have set their sights on preventing these post-surgical complications. By analyzing vaginal microbiome samples from postmenopausal women undergoing a vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic reconstruction, they made some intriguing discoveries.
Key Players in the Drama
Women with lower levels of the protective bacterial species, Lactobacillus, in their vaginal microbiome were more likely to develop a UTI after POP surgery. On the flip side, higher levels of Prevotella and Gardnerella – bacteria associated with inflammation and infection – were linked with an increased risk of postoperative UTIs.
Post-surgical samples indicated lower microbial diversity in both the vaginal and urinary microbiomes, highlighting the importance of diversity in maintaining a healthy microbiome. Researchers suspect that preoperative antibiotics, vaginal cleansing before surgery, and the surgery itself could be contributors to this imbalance.
Identifying these patterns paves the way for potentially predicting who will develop a post-surgical UTI before surgery even begins.
Beating the UTI Game
UTIs can be daunting for women with or without POP. By supporting your microbiomes with probiotics, you can take a proactive step to reduce your risk of these pesky infections.
While there's no definitive proof on the effectiveness of vaginal probiotic suppositories, studies show that oral Lactobacillus increases the numbers of vaginal lactobacilli, helping create a healthier microbiome.
Moreover, research points to the Lactobacillus family being particularly helpful with weight loss. So not only could probiotics help strengthen your microbiome before surgery, but they might also aid in maintaining a healthy weight.
Besides probiotics, other supplements can help lower your risk of UTIs:
- D-mannose: This glucose-related sugar can prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract, making it challenging for infections to take hold.
- Cranberry Extract: Research demonstrates that consuming cranberry products significantly reduces the risk of UTIs in women with recurrent infections. Additionally, proanthocyanidins, a type of polyphenol found in cranberries, are thought to inhibit bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining.
If you're planning to undergo POP surgery, it's essential to discuss pre-surgery precautions and supplements with your doctor. They can advise you on the best practices to prevent post-surgical UTIs, and they'll want to know about any supplements you're taking to ensure there are no conflicting medications.
Stay a step ahead and invest time in understanding your body. Discover what you can do to thrive and beat the odds against pelvic health challenges.
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Sources:
- Vaginal microbiome may predict post-surgery urinary tract infections - Mayo Clinic
- Preoperative vaginal microbiome as a predictor of postoperative urinary tract infection - Scientific Reports
- Pelvic organ prolapse - Mayo Clinic
- Demystifying pelvic organ prolapse - UChicago Medicine
- Are My Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Prolapse? - Austin Urogynecology
- Vaginal microbiome following orally administered probiotic - Journal of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
- Pelvic organ prolapse and prolapse symptoms - Cleveland Clinic
- The study conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic revealed that lower levels of Lactobacillus in a woman's vaginal microbiome could increase the risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI) after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery.
- Furthermore, higher levels of Prevotella and Gardnerella, bacteria associated with inflammation and infection, were found to be linked with an increased risk of postoperative UTIs, as identified in the samples analyzed.
- To help reduce the risk of UTIs, supplements such as D-mannose, which can prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract, and cranberry extract, which inhibits bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining, may be beneficial. Consulting a doctor about pre-surgery precautions and supplements is essential for those planning to undergo POP surgery.
