The optimal management of lower urinary tract infections.

Lower urinary tract infection is a common problem for women, and tends to be recurrent. It is not associated with significant long term morbidity. Optimal management for symptomatic infection is short course antimicrobial therapy. For women with frequent, symptomatic, recurrent infection a number of therapeutic options are available including single dose self-treatment, extended low dose prophylaxis, or post-intercourse prophylaxis. For women who do not wish to experience any symptomatic episodes, prophylactic therapy, either continuous or during risk situations particularly post-intercourse, are other options. Which therapeutic strategy is followed should be based on patient preference.