By Priscilla Nakayenze
In contemporary Africa, discussions about reproductive/genito-urinary tract infections continue to raise eyebrows. People are often hesitant and shy about discussing or even expressing their sexual orientation.
Women are disproportionately affected, with an estimated 0.5-0.7 infections per year. There is no clear report on how the infection is preying on the masses in Uganda.
Sylvia Nansubuga, a clinician at Allan Galpin (University Clinic), highlighted that most women suffer from genito-urinary tract infections and confuse them with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
“Although both infections might look the same, they are not,” she said. “Genito-Urinary Tract Infections are more of a reproductive infection, unlike UTI’s.”
Joanitah Nekesa, a third-year law student at Uganda Christian University (UCU), lives to tell a tale that marked and left scars in her life.
I did not know that I had the infection, but slowly my symptoms started. On several occasions a hot itch around my genitalia despite the hour of the day, a simple smell that later erupted like spoilt eggs, and an occasional whitish fluid from her private parts that later over time became thick like porridge droplets ”What shocked me most was that each day my symptoms worsened”, she said.
She claims that she had no idea I had the infection until my symptoms began. On several occasions, despite the time of day, I felt a hot itch around my genitalia, a simple odor that later erupted like spoiled eggs, and an occasional whitish fluid from her private parts that later thickened like porridge droplets. What surprised me the most was that my symptoms worsened with each passing day.
The sudden cause of the infection was still anonymous to me. I lost self-esteem since I always felt like I was smelling all day. I was mentally disturbed, and I couldn’t concentrate on my studies or my family.
In the lives of numerous young adults, the same scene plays out. Evelyn Lokwasa is a graduate of Social Work and Social Administration 2022. Evelyn couldn’t help but shed a little tear as she recalled her experience.
I pity a person who feels ashamed about their sexuality. I used to smell but all my friends couldn’t tell me. I saw whitish fluids and thought I was in ovulation. But how could I be ovulating for three and a half months?
Surprisingly and shamefully, it’s a male classmate that called me during our break time and pleaded with me not to take anything personal or throw a tantrum. At first, I thought he just wanted to express his feelings to me.
Yes he did, but towards my hygiene. He told me that almost the whole class knew that I was smelling like spoilt eggs, and he told me to try seeking medical attention before I became a laughing stock.
To be honest, I lost myself. I had been smelling for almost the whole semester and no one told me . I just lost myself and didn’t do my final exams. It was a lot to take in at the time, no wonder I graduated in 2022 instead of 2019.
Dr. Cosmas Mbuga, a gynecologist at St. Catherine’s Clinic Mukono, observes that women are extremely sensitive, especially when it comes to their genitilia. Many times, women are infected with infections that are difficult to distinguish.
“Many of my patients come in pain and confused about their infections,” he said. “It’s us most of the time who find out after several tests that it’s either STI’s or not.”
Cosmas further urged that women are quite delicate and sensitive to their sexuality. They should therefore pay maximum attention to their reproductive health all the time.
What causes these infections and how best could they be prevented?
The World Health Organization states that genito-urinary infections occur as a result of hematogenous dissemination or as an ascending infection, most commonly as a result of instrumentation, urinary catheterization, or surgery. Cystitis, pyelonephritis, microabscess, perinephric abscess, prostatitis, and prostatic abscess are examples of these infections.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureter, bladder, and urethra. The lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and urethra, is involved in the majority of these infections.
In most cases, urinary tract infections occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract via the urethra and multiply in the bladder. Despite the fact that the urinary system is designed to keep such microscopic invaders out, these defenses occasionally fail. Bacteria may then take hold and grow into a full-fledged infection in the urinary tract.
UTIs are categorized into three types, according to Dr. Mary Acham, a retired gynecologist from Mengo Hospital. However, each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.
Acute pyelonephritis affects the kidneys. This may present with back pain or side (flank) pain, high fever, shaking and chills, nausea, and spotting.
Urethritis affects the urethra and occurs when the bacteria from the gut spreads from the anus to the urethra. This may present with burning with urination and discharge.
She further stressed that, however, women are more likely to get such infections because they have shorter urethras than men since bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder.
When you have this infection, the lining of the bladder and urethra become red and irritated, just as your throat does when you have a cold.
The irritation can cause pain in your lower abdomen, pelvic area, and even lower back. This will make you feel like urinating more often.
Burning or pain when urinating is the most common symptom. You may even feel a strong urge or need to urinate but only get a few drops.
This is because the bladder is so irritated that it makes you feel like you have to urinate, even when you don’t have much urine in your bladder. At times, you may lose control and leak urine. You may also find that your urine smells bad and is cloudy.
This is because the bladder is so irritated that you feel the need to urinate even when there isn’t much urine in your bladder. You may lose control at times and leak urine. Your urine may also smell bad and be cloudy.
She also emphasized that antibiotics are typically used as the first-line treatment for urinary tract infections. Which drugs are prescribed and for how long are determined by your medical history and the type of bacteria found in your urine.
Drinking plenty of liquids, especially water, is one of many preventative measures. This helps to dilute your urine and ensures that you urinate more frequently, allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before an infection develops.
While cleaning your private parts, wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
Swipe from the front to rewind while cleaning your private parts. Doing so after urinating and having a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria from spreading from the abdomen area to the vagina and urethra.
Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
Avoid using potentially irritating feminine hygiene products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.
Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth.
Sun-drying your undergarments, which helps to dry your undergarments well to prevent bacteria growth, as well as ironing them before putting them on.
Changing your undergarments every 3 months is crucial even in such hard economic times; your health is crucial, said Dr. Cosmas.
