Common Female Urological Problems

Women suffer from urological problems very frequently, which makes their quality of life poor due to reluctance in consulting urologists and social taboos. Moreover, improper referral and treatment make the problem more complex. Common problems women suffer are infections, urinary leakage, difficulty in urination and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Urinary tract infections:

Infection in women is common at all ages, but is more prevalent in postmenopausal females. Proper history and examinations are important. Painful, foul-smelling urine accompanied by urgency or frequency may be present. The dosage and duration of antibiotics are very important. Injudicious use of antibiotics causes long-term problems. Fluid intake is important along with bowel management. If infections are recurrent, consult a urologist to rule out any organic cause.

Urethral stricture:

Stricture causes difficulty in urination and a thin stream of urine. They may also present as recurrent UTI. It is commonly treated by urethral dilation. If the patient needs repeated dilations, then urethroplasty offers a long-term solution with good results. Urethroplasty in women needs proper evaluation and treatment by an experienced urologist.

Urinary incontinence:

Having to pee at all hours and with little warning can be a nuisance. The cause may be age-related or due to lifestyle and drinking habits. It is treatable with lifestyle modification and medications. Botox may be needed in a few patients. Another problem may be leakage with cough, sneezing, or even lifting weights. The cause may be weakened pelvic muscles or may be hormone-related. In a few patients sling surgery may be a treatment of choice.

Talking about urgency leakage, a slow urinary stream might be uncomfortable, but it’s the first step towards treatment. Often, women do not know how common and treatable they are which keeps them from seeking proper urological care.