Children’s UTIs
Urinary tract infections in children are more common than most people think. The proximity of the urethral opening to the anus is usually the cause, as bacteria from the rectum is easily spread to the urethra.
Treating a urinary tract infection in a child can be difficult as it is sometimes hard to tell how bad it is, and what is needed. See your doctor for testing.
Urethral syndrome
It is also important to note that UTIs can sometimes be mistaken for urethral irritation, also known as urethral syndrome.
This issue might be caused by toilet paper, soaps or other irritants, so to make sure it isn’t something external, use only hypo-allergenic soaps and toilet paper. This means no perfumes, colours, artificial ingredients or other known irritants like sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (SLS).
Jessica is a degree-qualified naturopath (BHSc) specialising in vulvovaginal health and disease, based in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica is the owner and lead naturopath of My Vagina, and is a member of the:
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
- International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
- National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) Australia
- New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS)
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)