Over the years, I have seen thousands of people with vaginal yeast infections. I’ve also seen kidney and bladder infections caused by Candida.
One of the most common causes of urinary tract infections (UTI) is Escherichia coli, bacteria that commonly live in the digestive tract. E. coli can readily travel through the urethra to the bladder. The passage of E. coli from the urethra to the bladder occurs more frequently in women because females have shorter urethras.
Yeast can also travel through the urethra and cause a bladder infection. Candida can be transferred from the rectal area to the genitourinary tract. This transfer occurs because about 25% of people have Candida in their gastrointestinal tract. Candida can cause infections in the urethra, bladder, and kidneys. There are other fungi, such as Aspergillus, that have been implicated in urinary tract infections.
Related articles:
- Is the Candida Crusher Diet The Only Solution?
- Vaginal Yeast Infection: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
- Multiple Yeast Infections Have Tried Everything
- Candida Case Studies: Meet Kaye
- Vaginal Yeast Infection Cleansing
It is not that difficult to distinguish between a UTI caused by bacteria and one caused by Candida. Often with Candida, there is also discharge and significant itching. A urine culture can help determine what microorganism is responsible for the UTI.
People on immunosuppressant drugs and older women with lower estrogen levels have higher UTI rates.
If you think you might have a UTI, get it checked out. By identifying the responsible “bug,” a culture can direct you to the most appropriate treatment for the UTI.
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21498839
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24484575
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28501465
