How Hormonal Changes Affect UTI Frequency — And What Supplements Can Do About It

If you’re a woman already prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), you may already know that any fluctuations in your hormones can increase UTI frequency. This means many women suffer from UTIs closer to their menstruation time and even during pregnancy. It can be a literal pain, to say the least. The good news is that the more you understand what’s happening with your body, the more you can take action to prevent UTIs as well as other infections and illnesses. 

Menopause: The Biggest Hormonal Change 

The most important change in the body for women in their 40s and 50s is menopause. Virtually every woman on the planet will experience menopause, and it is often preceded by perimenopause. Perimenopause can last up to 10 years, with your hormones fluctuating wildly all the while. These fluctuations are caused by the shifts in estrogen and progesterone levels. Effectively, they drop during menopause and will remain low for the rest of your life. 

Estrogen and progesterone are your primary sex hormones that help regulate your menstrual cycle. They are also responsible for preparing the body to get pregnant, supporting bone health, and balancing women’s moods. This means, of course, that when perimenopause kicks in, those elements, and more, are affected. Menopause is the biggest change in terms of hormones for women, essentially because estrogen and progesterone levels drop and don’t rise again.

How UTIs Are Related to Hormones

What does all this hormone talk have to do with UTIs? Well, when estrogen levels drop, the tissues and muscles around the urethra and bladder weaken. The female body also has less moisture to keep urine and other fluids flowing through and around the urinary tract. As a result, more bacteria collect in the area, and the urinary tract is then more prone to infection. This is the primary cause of a urinary tract infection. 

Plus, studies have shown that women who get one UTI are often more likely to get others going forward. This means that once you have a UTI, it’s time to start thinking about diet, exercise, and other means of prevention, like kegel exercises and a proactive UTI supplement. Your goal is to strengthen those weakening muscles and tissues, keep the area moisturized, and maintain healthy bacteria in the vaginal area. Good bacteria fight bad bacteria, after all.

Estrogen During Menopausal Years

You might not realize what’s happening at first. Many women begin perimenopause and don’t understand what the changes mean. Because your estrogen levels don’t just drop and stay low right away, it can feel like a roller coaster. 

You may have mood swings, headaches, weight gain, and hot flashes, and then simply chalk it all up to a busy lifestyle. So, it’s important to pay close attention to your body during these middle years, as recognition can help you stave off lots of pain and discomfort. 

It’s critical to know that any shifts that seem to be recurring are likely due to the onset of perimenopause and can be addressed in several ways. Particularly, if you experience pain or discomfort, like burning, when you urinate, see your gynecologist right away to find out if you have a UTI. You’ll get antibiotics to fight it off. 

Supplements Can Help

The next step in your journey through perimenopause is to find the right supplements that will help you balance your system. When it comes to frequent UTIs, a UTI supplement will typically contain PAC, the same compounds found in cranberry juice. The difference in a supplement is that they’re isolated and concentrated, so they target your urinary tract. PAC will help prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract. 

In addition to a solid UTI supplement, you can also invest in herbs and minerals that support your body through this time, which will ease the symptoms. Consider turmeric to help with weight management and inflammation. Black cohosh has been shown to help with hot flashes and hormonal balance. And ashwagandha, soy, and flaxseeds can help keep you regular and potentially reduce stress during this challenging time. All of these also support your UTI supplement.  

Diet and Exercise As a Lifestyle

Finally, every woman going through perimenopause should consider ramping up her exercise routine and adjusting her diet to support a healthy lifestyle. As women age, they often become even more important in the lives of their loved ones, especially as mothers, spouses, aunties, grandmothers, and mentors. It takes a lot of energy and vibrancy to maintain this level of excellence. 

As such, it serves women in their 40s and beyond to add weight lifting to their exercise routines at least a couple of times a week. Cardiovascular exercise will also help keep your heart healthy. And when it comes to diet, make sure to eat plenty of lean protein and fiber to support strong bones, muscles, and digestive system. The best part is that adjusting your lifestyle in this way can also help prevent those pesky UTIs. 

In the end, a few lifestyle changes, a few supplements, and a shifted diet can make all the difference. It will likely take a bit of experimenting to see what changes make the most sense for you. Be patient and remain open to trying new approaches. Aging is a privilege denied to many, and it can be the best time of your life if you do it right.