In a 2008 survey conducted by Cystex® urinary relief tablets, 70% of women indicated they have walked out of a public restroom without using it because they felt it was “too dirty.”  However, if you squat when you urinate in a public restroom to avoid an infection from the toilet seat, you may actually be doing more harm then good.

According to Elizabeth Kavaler, M.D., urologist and author of “A Seat on the Aisle, Please! The Essential Guide to Urinary Tract Problems in Women,” (Copernicus Books, 2006), squatting over the seat can actually prevent the complete emptying of the bladder, which can lead to infection, especially in women who are prone to urinary tract infections(UTIs).

When you squat over the toilet seat, you keep your pelvic muscle contracted, which reduces your ability to empty your bladder completely, as you would be able to if you were sitting and relaxed. When the bladder doesn’t empty completely, the remaining urine can become a breeding-ground for bacteria, which may lead to a UTI. Prevent this by using a toilet seat cover when available or line the seat with toilet paper and take a seat. It’s important to note that you will not catch any infection, including STDs, from sitting on a public toilet seat.

Visit www.cystex.com to view the new Cystex “Know Your Bladder Better” video series or connect with Dr. Kavaler directly by visiting the new interactive “Ask the Urologist” feature to submit an informational question about bladder health.

Please note that the new “Ask the Urologist” and Q&A with Dr. Kavaler on the Cystex Web site (www.cystex.com) or other sites associated with the Cystex Web site are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a personal medical diagnosis or formal medical advice. If you have any health questions or concerns, we recommend that you seek medical advice from your physician.

The CYSTEX® Ladies Room blog is proud to announce our new "Know Your Bladder Better" initiative and interactive features (available at www.cystex.com), allowing women to be directly connected* to a board-certified urologist.

We know you probably have a lot of questions about bladder health or UTIs, so we decided to launch the Cystex "Know Your Bladder Better" initiative, which will include the "Ask the Urologist" feature and a new video series where consumers can connect with Elizabeth Kavaler, M.D., urologist and author of “A Seat on the Aisle, Please! The Essential Guide to Urinary Tract Problems in Women,” (Copernicus Books, 2006), who has agreed to personally answer your questions about urinary tract infections and bladder health*.

For more information visit www.bladderbetter.com or www.cystex.com.

Attention Fellow Bloggers:
If you wish to post a unique video sharing Widget to your blog to get the latest videos from Dr. Kavaler, as well as new ones that will post in the future, here is the code:<object data=”http://bridgit.com/images/BridgitLoader.swf” width=”300″ height=”250″ type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowScriptAccess=”always” allowNetworking=”all”><param name=”movie” value=”http://bridgit.com/images/BridgitLoader.swf” /><param name=”wmode” value=”transparent” /><param name=”FlashVars” value=”bid=1257&w=300&h=250″ /></object>

*The information provided by Dr. Kavaler, posted in the FAQ section and on the Cystex Web site is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a personal medical diagnosis or formal medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, we recommend that you seek medical advice from your physician.

According to a 2008 Cystex survey conducted by Harris Interactive, about half of  adults in the U.S. are wary of using public restroom facilities - women more so than men.. Yet, the busy holiday season will find us needing to use public restrooms more frequently than usual….during long hours of holiday shopping at the mall, at the highway rest stop on the way to a visit at grandma’s house, etc.

So, before you leave home for your shopping trips or to visit the family, check out Cystex.com to find its partnership page with The Bathroom Diaries, providing a city-by-city public restroom finder feature, which provides listings of public restrooms in cities across the country, along with ratings and reviews, hours of use and details about how clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing they might be. This allows you to see what’s really going on behind closed doors and plot out good rest stops accordingly this holiday season.

Cystex® is a unique urinary analgesic sold over-the-counter that combines a pain reliever for temporary relief of the burning and discomfort of urinary tract infections (UTIs), with an anti-bacterial agent that helps slow the replication of the bacteria until you see your healthcare provider for definitive diagnosis and treatment. It is important to make time for the restroom in between shopping for or driving to see your loved ones since one cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are associated with holding in urine for too long a period of time. When you feel the urge to go to the bathroom, you should go in order to avoid UTIs and possible bladder-lining damage, which allows UTI-causing bacteria to multiply and thrive.

If you’re having difficulties `going with the flow,` you could possibly have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Since your urinary flow or `stream` can be the first indicator of possible medical issues, such as inflammation, it’s important to recognize any changes in your urine stream. A strong, steady, healthy urine flow naturally cleanses the urinary tract and surrounding area of unwanted bacteria each time you urinate. If something is inhibiting normal urination, bacteria can be trapped inside the urinary tract leading to a UTI.

According to Elizabeth Kavaler, M.D., urologist and author of A Seat on the Aisle, Please! The Essential Guide to Urinary Tract Problems in Women (Copernicus Books, 2006), there are ways to improve your urine flow strength:

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will increase the flow of urine and help flush out bacteria in the urinary tract.
• Take a “Uroflow” Test: If you suffer from recurrent UTIs or suspect you have a urinary blockage, ask your doctor for a “uroflow” test to assess whether or not you are voiding efficiently.
• Put Down the Heavy Purse: Carrying a heavy backpack, tote or large, filled-to-the-brim pocketbook, no matter how chic and gorgeous it is, can contribute to the development of lordosis (a painful condition that creates pressure on the nerves in the lower back). Back strain in the lower back muscles can actually interfere with urine flow, which can lead to abnormal voiding (urination) and increased presence of bacteria that doesn’t get flushed away…leading to risk for UTIs.

Urinary tract infections are not pleasant to experience. However, you’re not the only one suffering. UTIs are the second most common infection in the body accounting for more than eight million doctor’s visits a year.

So while not every UTI is avoidable, there are some ways to help prevent a UTI from taking hold:

1. Stay Hydrated: UTIs do not occur when bacteria gets into the bladder, they occur when it does not get out.  Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day promotes regular urination which helps flush out bacteria in one’s urinary tract.
2. Protect Your Back: Lower back stress can affect the flow of urine, which can lead to abnormal voiding (urination) and UTIs.  If you suspect a back problem may be contributing to your UTIs, ask your doctor for a “uroflow” exam to assess whether or not you are voiding effectively.
3. Take a Vitamin C Supplement: Take about 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C throughout the day to help inhibit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine.
4. Avoid Feminine Hygiene Sprays and Scented Douches: They can irritate the urethra causing an inflammation that can promote urinary bacteria
5. Respond to “Nature’s Call”: Urinate as soon as you feel the need to in order to eliminate unwanted bacteria. While “holding it in” does not directly cause an infection, it can cause overdistension that can damage the lining of the bladder, making it more vulnerable to bacteria.
6. Wear Cotton Undies: Opt for panties with a cotton crotch since cotton fabric allows moisture to escape while other fabrics trap moisture (which bacteria thrives on).
7. Wipe From Front to Back: After a bowel movement or voiding, wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.
8. Take Showers Instead of Baths: Avoid exposing your urethra to stagnant water which predisposes you to a urinary tract infection.
9. Proper Washing: Wash your genital area before and after sexual intercourse to help prevent transferring bacteria to the urethra or vaginal area which can create a breeding ground for a UTI.
10. Take an Antibacterial: Women who have recurrent UTIs might consider taking Cystex® as a preventative as it contains methenamine, an antibacterial agent that helps prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.  Cystex® can be taken before activities or situations that you believe have contributed to urinary tract infections. Speak to your physician.

For more information on UTIs and other useful tips on preventing one, Check out the Cystex Web site at www.cystex.com

A lesser known symptom of menopause, caused by the extreme decline in estrogen, is the increased risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs). The bladder becomes less elastic, triggering an inability to fully empty, therefore creating a breeding ground for bacteria to multiply. Additionally, the lack of estrogen makes the bladder lining and vaginal tissues more prone to bacterial adherence since there is less protection. These situations set the stage for developing UTIs.

According to Larrian Gillespie, retired urologist and author of the popular book, You Don’t Have to Live with Cystitis (HarperCollins), there are ways to control or prevent the recurrence of UTIs associated with menopause:

• Stay Hydrated: It is imperative to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water which promotes regular urination. This flushes out bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Watch your back: Lower back stress that affects the lower muscles of the back can interfere with the flow of urine, which can lead to abnormal voiding (urination) and UTIs. When exercising, try to maintain good form while lifting weights or on exercise machines to avoid back injury. If you suspect a back problem may be contributing to your UTIs, ask your doctor to give you a “uroflow” exam to assess whether or not you are voiding efficiently.
• Strengthen your core: Often, a lazy bladder (unable to empty urine properly) occurs due to lower back problem, so consider doing exercises to help strengthen your back and stomach muscles. Ask your physician or fitness trainer about which exercises are beneficial to your abs and back.
• Respond to “nature’s call”: It’s always a good idea to urinate as soon as you feel the need in order to eliminate unwanted bacteria. While “holding it in” does not directly cause an infection, it can cause overdistension that can damage the lining of the bladder, making it more vulnerable to bacteria and over time, it may not contract or relax at will.
• Take a vitamin C supplement: Take about 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C throughout the day to help inhibit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine.
• Lubricate: As estrogen declines, vaginal dryness increases.  Make sure to be properly lubricated during sexual activity (use a water-based vaginal lubricant) to decrease friction in the vagina/urethral areas.
• Take an antibacterial: If you are menopausal and prone to UTIs, Gillespie recommends taking Cystex® as a preventative, as it is the only OTC urinary tract medication that contains methenamine, an antibacterial agent that attacks bacteria and helps prevent it from adhering to the cell wall lining of the bladder. Cystex® can be taken before activities or situations that you believe have contributed to urinary tract infections, such as sexual intercourse. If you do develop a UTI, taking Cystex® until you can see the doctor will help keep the infection from progressing and also help with the pain.

At last, you’ve arrived at your vacation destination only to be welcomed by a urinary tract infection (UTI). Although there’s never an ideal time to have a painful and annoying UTI, vacation time is at the top of the list, since its symptoms - painful urination and frequency - among others - is sure to put a damper on your fun in the sun.

Have no fear and listen up! The Cystex Experts are here with a few tips to help minimize your risk of getting a UTI while you’re away and guide you through this common infection, should you get one:

• When packing your bikini and sunscreen, make sure to also pack vitamin C, which  helps acidify the urine and inhibit the growth of some UTI-causing bacteria. Take 1,000 mg. daily while on vacation.
• In between sipping frozen cocktails on the beach, make sure to drink plenty of water and limit your consumption of alcohol to keep from becoming dehydrated. Eight glasses of water a day isn’t necessary for everyone: the amount of water you need depends on what makes you feel comfortable, your level of activity, your diet and the climate. On average, 32 ounces of fluid a day is enough to remove bacteria out of the bladder. Also, urinate regularly and empty your bladder completely (each time) to eliminate any unwanted bacteria.
• Unfortunately, while you’re away from home, you’ll have to use public restrooms more frequently than you might like,   so before you leave home, check out The Bathroom Diaries at Cystex.com, which rates and reviews public restrooms, including hours of availability, details about cleanliness, and safety from a personal perspective. If you follow this advice and still get a UTI while you’re away, try Cystex®, the over-the-counter urinary pain relief and prevention product that will help with the pain of a UTI and also slow the progression of the infection with an extra ingredient –  methenamine — that helps stop bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract. (Other UTI products sold over-the-counter do not have this bacteria-fighting ingredient,) When used as a preventative treatment, Cystex® should be taken before any situation or activity that might cause the infection. Always follow the instructions on the package.

Ultra high heeled shoes may be sexy, but did you know that they may not only be bad for your feet, but bad for your bladder? If you regularly wear high heels and also are experiencing UTIs, you might want to consider blaming your stilettos, says our expert, Larrian Gillespie, a retired urogynecologist and author of the book, You Don’t Have to Live with Cystitis, The Groundbreaking Guide to the Prevention and Cure of One of Women’s Most Stubborn Ailments (Quill, An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)..

She says that wearing high-heeled shoes that are too high for your hip and leg structure can cause your torso to tilt forward, which forces your hips and spine out of alignment. If this occurs often, you could develop a “swayback,” also known as lordosis, which is a painful condition that creates pressure on the nerves in the lower back.

Okay, so how does this cause an infection in your bladder? Well, Gillespie says that this pressure contributes to “inefficient urination,” which is the precursor for urinary tract infections.

This is how it works: The back contains many fine nerves, which can become strained by lifting/carrying heavy items, exercising, wearing high heels, from altered position, etc. The discs in the lower back can also become damaged, compressing the nerves and signaling the bladder to empty – even when it isn’t full. The injuries also can disrupt or inhibit urine flow, which causes bacteria to become trapped in the bladder causing a UTI. And, as you may have read on this blog or seen elsewhere on Cystex.com, good urine flow is necessary for flushing all the “bad” bacteria out of the bladder.

High heels aren’t the only culprit of lower back problems. Back strain can also be caused by overexerting yourself while exercising. (no, this is not a good reason to stop exercising!) Just make sure to use proper workout techniques by participating in aerobic activities that give you a natural, fluid motion, such as walking, and use weight machines instead of free weights – and ask someone to show you the proper way to use the equipment. If you currently suffer from back injuries, try swimming, which creates the least pressure on the injured area.

Also, lighten the load you carry around. Carrying a heavy backpack, tote or large, filled-to-the-brim pocketbook, no matter how chic and gorgeous it is, can contribute to the development of lordosis. (According to Time magazine’s special Style issue in 2007, the average weight of a woman’s purse was 5.2 pounds.) So ligten the load by getting rid of that hard-covered novel you keep saying you’re going to read on your lunch hour (but don’t) and only carry what you need to help avoid unnecessary back strain.

If you are prone to lower back problems and find you continue to get recurring UTIs help is out there. Make an appointment with your doctor and in the meantime, try Cystex®, which is an over-the-counter urinary medication that not only helps with the pain of a UTI, it also contains the natural antiseptic methenamine that helps stop bacteria from adhering to the wall of the urinary tract, thereby helping to prevent the infection from occurring in the first place. For more information, visit www.Cystex.com.

Cystex was recommended for women who have recurrent UTIs in the June/July issue of Health Wise Magazine. The article recommends Cystex as part of a healthy routine to prevent UTIs.

You may have heard that cranberries (in juice or supplement form) play some role in helping urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some swear by it to help prevent UTIs, while others say it is a great treatment. While no conclusive evidence exists, we wanted to help sort through fact and fiction to get to the bottom of this “berry” interesting topic.

We asked one of our experts, Elizabeth Kavaler, M.D., urologist and author, for her thoughts.  According to Dr. Kavaler, the first thing to keep in mind is that treating and preventing urinary tract infections are two very different subjects. Cranberries are filled with antioxidants and have long been considered a very valuable ally for our health.  In addition to these antioxidants, cranberries contain hippuronic acid. This compound has been shown in some studies to make it much more difficult for the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections to attach to the bladder wall (because this acid works to acidify the urine). This lowers the risk of getting a UTI in some cases.  An important note however, is to make sure that you are drinking 100% cranberry juice because most of the sweetened versions with added sugar do not contain hippuronic acid.

However, once you have a UTI, cranberries in any form will do little to help treat it, and can actually exacerbate painful urination, one of the main symptoms associated with a UTI. This pain is caused by irritation and inflammation of the urethra and urethral opening. Once you have a UTI, the same acid in the cranberry juice that acidifies the urine to help keep bacteria at bay can actually increase the irritation and cause more pain when urinating. The best thing to do is to go to your doctor for proper antibiotic treatment (he or she will take a culture to confirm the UTI), and, in the meantime, take an over-the-counter urinary pain relief medication like Cystex® to help calm the symptoms.

Cystex® Urinary Pain Relief Tablets is the only over-the-counter (OTC) medication that has a dual-action formula, with both a pain reliever to help with the discomfort and burning, as well as an antiseptic to help keep the bacteria in check and the infection from worsening before you can get into your doctor’s office.

So, bottom line…..by all means drink 100% cranberry juice to help ward off UTIs and to add antioxidants to your body, but once you have a UTI, it is best to stick to proper medication and forgo the berries.

For more information on UTIs, visit http://www.cystex.com.