Roughly 60% of women will experience a UTI at least once in their lifetime. 40% will experience a recurrence within the next 6 months. For some of us, it's our most loyal and consistent relationship we never asked for.

But why are women so prone to UTI's? Why can't we enjoy a fun night without worrying about peeing papercuts? What happens when we pee, shower and cranberry our way to peace of mind, but the infection still finds us?

Is this final destination? Genetics? ...... the consequences of last night's vodka & lukewarm pizza?

Join Katie Thompson and women's health educator and physician, Dr. Amy Papermaster, as we dive into the science of Urinary Tract Infections aka UTI's and what lies beneath the bacterial infection that greets us at dawn and get clear on the stigma surrounding hygiene, lifestyle and our supposed anatomical shortcomings.

We'll cover the basics of why these infections take place, what makes women especially susceptible and key indicators that may signal your body is prone to recurrent visits within the first 6-9 months of an initial infection. We'll also discuss why UTI's have nothing to do with your hygiene or "doing it wrong," instead, we'll talk about methods for adequately treating a UTI, why getting in front of "the burn" is not as simple as downing water and cranberry juice, and the importance that age plays in both the likelihood of recurrence and in the severity of infection.

If left ignored and untreated, UTI's can quickly lead to much broader systemic issues, neurological disorders and at worst, kidney failure.

This is a serious topic, but here at SMV, we didn’t come to this life to spend it scared of our own urethras.

Knowledge is power. And when the vag screams, that means it’s the call. It’s time to ask questions and get clear on how to resolve these infections once and for all.

Welcome back to a brand new dose of women's health & educational chaos-- said out loud-- with Katie Thompson and leading women's health series, I Shaved My Vag For This.

Class is officially back in session.

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What should we cover next? Connect with ⁠@iamKatieThompson ⁠and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@thesmvpodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠to find details on guests, future episodes and more.

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About Our Guest

Dr. Amy Papermaster holds a joint Clinical Assistant Professor appointment in the School of Nursing and Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health. A native Texan, Dr. Papermaster earned a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees at The University of Texas at Austin. She received a Master of Science degree in the Family Nurse Practitioner program from Vanderbilt University.

As an educator, she is driven to promote student nurses to become the patient’s advocate and voice through skilled, evidence-based competent and comprehensive care. Research interests include knowledge-sharing and collaboration and advancing the field of women’s health in areas such as vulvar, pelvic-floor, and pelvic pain disorders. Clinically, she is proud to have worked alongside her colleagues in the emergency department as a nurse, and in women’s health practices as a nurse practitioner.

Her clinical focus is on promotion of health and prevention of disease for women across the lifespan and is passionate about helping women with complex gynecologic conditions achieve their treatment goals. Currently, she practices at UT Health Austin Women’s Health Department.

Connect with Amy @amypapermaster and hear more from Dr. Papermaster on her podcast, Off The Charts, exploring women’s health topics that may not always fit “in the chart.”

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I Shaved My Vag For This is founded, written and produced by Katie Thompson.

Video production and editing by Sophia Puccetti.

Podcast theme song and musical parodies composed and produced by Katie Thompson.

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In SMV We Trust.