Loo & behold! Western toilets also cause UTI

For years, women believed they were susceptible to urinary track infection (UTI) by not drinking enough water or holding themselves due to the lack of public toilets. They have another reason to worry as doctors say women can also contract UTI by relieving themselves in Western-style toilets.

“We are seeing a rising number of Western-style toilets in public places. A soiled seat or unhygienic Western-style toilets also spread UTI as the bacteria comes in direct contact with the body,” said Dr Nandita Palshetkar, obstetrician and gynaecologist at  Lilavati hospital.

Western-style toilets are usually used for comfort. However, because of lack of maintenance and toilet etiquettes, women are forced to squat even in such toilets. “Westernised loos are adding to the rising number of UTI cases in the city. They are beneficial to pregnant and elderly women who may find it difficult to use the Indian-style toilets. Therefore, we should go for a mix of Indian and Western-style loos,” said Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai, consulting gynaecologist at Jaslok hospital.

She said in Western countries, people use dry toilet paper on the seat and then throw it. This ensures there is no UTI or other infection problem. UTIs are caused by bacteria and more than 50% of women will have at least one UTI during their lifetime, according to doctors. They are 10 times more common among women than men.

“Women are more prone to UTIs than men because in females, the urethra is much closer to the anus and is shorter than in males. Also the fear of using unhygienic urinals forces women to either avoid drinking water or retain urine for a long time. This leads to UTIs, burning urinary tract problems and kidney stones,” said Dr Duru Shah, consulting gynaecologist at Breach Candy hospital.