UTI/ STI Specialist

When you have difficulty urinating, it could mean you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or even a sexually transmitted infection (STI). At Elite Gynecology in Manhattan, Dr. Guichard, Dr. Molly McBride, Barbara Sztukowski, NP, and Sarah Weld, NP, can find the cause of your infection and treat it quickly and effectively. Dr. McBride will eliminate your pain and help you prevent future infections. Contact her New York office today to learn more and schedule your initial consultation. You can also book your appointment online.

What is a UTI?

When you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), there’s an infection somewhere in your urinary system. Most infections impact the lower urinary tract, occurring in your bladder or urethra. They can also develop in the upper tract in your kidneys or ureters.

Painful symptoms often accompany UTIs, including:

• Pain with urination
• An urge to frequently urinate
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Cloudy urine
• Blood in your urine
• A strong urine odor
• Pelvic pain

In older adults, these symptoms may not manifest as quickly or may be ignored. And when left to fester without treatment, UTIs can spread and become severe.

How are UTIs treated?

In the majority of cases, Dr. McBride uses antibiotics to treat UTIs. The type of bacteria in your urine, found through lab testing, determines the best antibiotic to fight your infection.

If you have frequent bladder infections, Dr. McBride may recommend taking a low-dose antibiotic over a period of six months or, if your UTIs result from sex, taking a single dose after intercourse.

What are common STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. There are an estimated 20 million new cases of STIs each year in the United States.

Some of the most commonly diagnosed STIs include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Herpes
• Human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause genital warts
• HIV/AIDS

It’s important to note that many of these STDs don’t have immediate or noticeable symptoms. Therefore, if you have unprotected sex or have sex with multiple partners, it’s vital to get routine STI testing.

How are STIs treated?

The type of STI you have dictates the best course of treatment. In cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and early-stage syphilis, antibiotics are often all that you need to eliminate the condition. But with herpes and HIV/AIDS, there are no cures, but you may reduce symptoms and slow disease progression with antiviral medications.

HPV is a virus and must run its course. Although the STD is often asymptomatic, if you develop genital warts, treatment to remove the warts is available.

Using barrier methods of contraception and regular testing help you prevent getting and spreading STIs. Insist that your sexual partners get tested, too.

To learn more about STI prevention and testing, call Elite Gynecology today. You can even book your appointment online.