Consult your doctor to have a clear idea about the infection.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common issue among women which is caused due to the unwanted growth of bacteria (generally E. Coli) in the urine.
When the bacteria move up to the urinary tract, it may result in serious infection which is characterized by symptoms such as fever, nausea, chills, discomfort and burning sensation while passing urine.
The issue of urinary tract infections affects both men and women but women are more vulnerable to UTIs as the female urinary tract is smaller as compared to men. Therefore, women have to take extra care to prevent UTIs.
Urinary tract infection affects organs such as kidney, liver, uterus, bladder that basically performs the function of waste removal while regulating the body temperature. If the infection persists or recur frequently especially affecting the upper tract (Kidney, uterus, fallopian tubes), it might affect your ability to conceive.
This condition is also called as pelvic inflammatory disease which can damage the fallopian tubes severely. Chronic kidney disease can affect other parts of the body and may affect your health and ovulation process which may affect the process of conception.
UTI in males can also lead to infertility. Infections of genito-urinary tract may account for male infertility. The bacteria spread across the prostate gland & other reproductive structure which may result in decreased sperm count & motility.
The infection can affect sites such as testis, epididymis and male accessory sex glands. Sometimes, other health conditions such as diabetes may result in UTIs and may lead to infertility. However, this issue can be treated gradually with medication.
Dr. Priti Gupta, Consultant Fertility & IVF, First Step IVF Clinic, New Delhi, suggests simple precautions that can help you prevent UTI effectively:
Quite often, other infections such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) may be the actual cause of conception issues which may get confused with the Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) as their symptoms are similar. Therefore, consult your doctor to have a clear idea about the infection.
Also, maintain personal hygiene especially during the rainy season to eliminate all the possibility of developing bacteria.