Share

Oestrogen may prevent urinary tract infections

accreditation
iStock

Oestrogen treatment delivered vaginally may help prevent repeat urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women, new laboratory research suggests.

Urinary tract infections are common among women, with one-quarter experiencing recurring infections. And age-related changes increase the likelihood of these infections developing after menopause, when oestrogen production plummets.

This study "suggests a more holistic approach by changing the way women respond to bacteria," said Hannan, co-author of an editorial accompanying the study in the journal.

The results support the use of vaginal oestrogen as a preventive measure for postmenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections, he wrote in the editorial.

Working in the laboratory and with animal models, the researchers identified a number of ways that oestrogen -- the female sex hormone -- helps keep recurrent urinary tract infections at bay.

"This study presents some underlying mechanisms for the beneficial effect of [topical oestrogen formulations] after menopause and supports the application of oestrogen in postmenopausal women suffering from recurrent UTIs," wrote the study's authors, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

About half of all women will experience at least one urinary tract infection in their lifetime, according to the study. For about 25% of these women, the infection will come back again within six months.

Low oestrogen levels have previously been linked to recurrent infections, and the new study sought to identify exactly how oestrogen might affect a woman's risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.

Antimicrobial substances

For the study, the researchers used human cells from postmenopausal women who had used supplemental vaginal oestrogen for two weeks. They also worked with mice that were given bacteria that would cause urinary tract infections like those in humans.

They found that oestrogen encourages production of natural antimicrobial substances in the bladder. The hormone also makes the urinary tract tissue stronger by closing the gaps between cells that line the bladder. By gluing these gaps together, oestrogen makes it harder for bacteria to penetrate the deeper layers of the bladder wall, the study authors said.

Oestrogen also helps prevent too many cells from shedding from the top layers of the bladder wall.

"Normally, there's an innate response to infection and some cells die ? sort of taking one for the team ? and then these cells shed," Hannan said. "But shedding too much could allow bacteria to get into the deeper tissue, so this exfoliation is a double-edged sword."

According to the study, oestrogen promotes the redistribution of cells and prevents excessive loss of cells during an infection.

One expert welcomed the findings.

"This study gives us more information about what we always had a sense was true: that women do get more [urinary tract infections] after menopause," said Dr Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Although taking oestrogen in pill form is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, topical oestrogen is much safer, Wu said. Topical oestrogen formulations include creams, gels and vaginal suppositories.

"Only about 1% of oestrogen cream or other topical delivery gets into the rest of the body's systems," she said.

Although commonplace, women shouldn't accept recurrent urinary tract infections as a normal part of ageing, Wu said. "Talk to a gynaecologist or urologist to find out what kinds of therapies are available," she said. "There are treatments besides antibiotics."

More information

To learn more about urinary tract infections, visit WomensHealth.gov.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE