LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION AND PHARMACOTHERAPY IN RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) is a common clinical problem, particularly among women, and is associated with repeated antibiotic exposure, reduced quality of life and increasing antimicrobial resistance. Recurrent cystitis is generally defined as at least two episodes within 6 months or three episodes within 12 months. Management involves confirmation of infection, identification of predisposing factors and prevention of further episodes. Lifestyle interventions such as adequate fluid intake, avoiding delayed urination and appropriate personal hygiene may reduce recurrence in selected patients. Pharmacological prevention includes non-antibiotic approaches such as vaginal estrogen, methenamine hippurate, cranberry products and selected probiotics, as well as antibiotic prophylaxis when appropriate. Current guidelines increasingly emphasize antimicrobial stewardship and the use of non-antibiotic strategies before long-term antibiotics. � Uroweb +1