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Mercy Urologist Dr. Todd Oberle Addresses Issue of Urinary Tract Infections and Antibiotics

Urinary tract infections are a nagging but common problem for many women, and while antibiotics help treat them, they can also cause problems.

"Antibiotics can cause an imbalance in the natural bacteria found in the vagina and lead to a yeast infection and some of the symptoms, like a bacterial infection of the bladder," said Mercy Medical Center urologist Dr. W. Todd Oberle.

Those symptoms often include burning when you urinate and frequency and urgency of urination.

However, Oberle said antibiotics are still the best treatment. He said that women should also practice some preventive measures for UTIs.

"(Going to the bathroom) after sex, not holding your urine for long periods of time, cranberry juice … none of these have been studied extensively, but these are habits that may prevent recurring urinary tract infections," he said.

If the UTIs become recurrent or you have more than three a year, it is possible you have another problem and should consult a doctor.