Probiotics & UTI

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are among the most commonly seen medical problems in physicians' offices, and women are more commonly affected than men. If you have ever had a UTI, you can appreciate the usefulness of antibiotics for treating this condition. However, if you suffer from recurrent UTIs, the increasing cost of antibiotics and the specter of bacterial resistance may have you looking at other options, such as probiotics, for preventing your next episode. Ask your doctor if probiotics are appropriate for you.

Causes

Your urinary tract is normally resistant to bacterial invasion despite almost constant contamination with organisms from your gastrointestinal tract. Bacterial colonization is prevented by urine acidity, bladder emptying and mucosal and immune barriers that inhibit microbial growth. However, factors that disrupt these protective mechanisms, such as sexual intercourse, frequent antibiotic use or using spermicide-coated diaphragms or condoms allow organisms to enter and colonize your bladder. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that originated in your colon.

Probiotics

The World Health Organization defines probiotics as "living organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." Probiotics are derived from bacteria that are commonly found in the environment and that normally inhabit your gastrointestinal tract. According to experts at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, widespread antibiotic use has led to disruptions in the balance of microorganisms inhabiting humans' intestines, and supplementation with probiotics could help to restore this balance.

Evidence

There is good evidence that probiotics are useful for preventing and treating several conditions associated with disruptions in normal gut flora, such as traveler's diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea and complications arising from major abdominal surgery. According to a review in the April 2008 issue of "Indian Journal of Urology," topical use of probiotics reduces the frequency of UTIs in patients with urinary catheters and women who suffer from recurrent UTIs. However, oral probiotic preparations have not been adequately studied for their effectiveness in treating UTIs.

Considerations

Most UTIs stem from disruptions in immunologic barriers that usually protect your urinary tract from invasion by disease-causing organisms. Imbalances in the bacterial populations inhabiting your gastrointestinal tract probably play a role in these infections, and probiotics appear to be useful for reestablishing a normal "gut flora." The optimal dosage, route of administration and mixture of probiotic strains needed to prevent or treat UTIs have not been determined. If you suffer from frequent UTIs, consult with a medical professional before using probiotics.