#252 Dr. Bilal Chughtai — The Overlooked Bladder Health Problem That Can Affect Longevity

Dr. Bilal Chughtai is a board-certified urologist and expert in women’s urinary health, recurrent urinary tract infections, the urinary microbiome, and preventative urology.In this episode, Claudia speaks with Dr. Chughtai about why bladder health deserves far more attention in the longevity conversation - especially for women dealing with recurrent UTIs, menopause, changing hormones, and the often-overlooked effects urinary health can have on cognition, confidence, intimacy, travel, and quality of life.They explore why UTIs are so common in women, why they often become more frequent with age, how estrogen loss during menopause changes the bladder environment, and why repeated antibiotic use may not always be the best long-term solution. They also discuss the emerging science of the urinary microbiome, the link between UTIs and neurological symptoms in older adults, and practical tools that may help reduce recurrence and support long-term urinary health.We discuss:Why bladder health matters for longevity and healthy agingWhy women are more prone to recurrent UTIsThe connection between menopause, estrogen decline, and bladder healthWhy UTIs can sometimes show up as confusion or delirium in older adultsThe urinary microbiome and how the science is evolvingThe downside of repeated antibiotic useCranberry, D-mannose, vaginal estrogen, pelvic floor therapy, and other prevention toolsPractical habits to support urinary health over timeTimestamps 00:00 Intro 01:23 Why bladder health matters for longevity 02:30 Why UTIs are so common in women 03:39 UTIs, confusion, and cognitive symptoms in older adults 05:01 What happens during a UTI 06:52 What healthy bladder aging looks like 07:24 Why urinary health needs a personalized approach 08:48 Hydration and bladder health 09:39 The problem with repeated antibiotic use 11:44 Cranberry and non-antibiotic prevention tools 13:59 D-mannose and what the evidence says 18:02 Stress, sleep, exercise, and urinary function 19:19 Menopause, estrogen, and bladder health 21:19 Pelvic floor therapy and age-related changes 23:00 Symptoms to raise with your doctor early 24:32 Daily urinary health habits 30:06 Future innovations in bladder health 31:54 First steps for recurrent UTIs 34:26 Where to find Dr. Bilal Chughtai 34:55 Final thoughtsReady to upgrade your health, energy, and longevity? Download my free 10 Life & Longevity Hacks Playbook and start living smarter, stronger, and longer → https://longevity-and-lifestyle.com/freebie If you enjoy science-backed conversations on longevity, metabolic health, biohacking, brain health, women’s health, and performance optimization, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming episodes. #longevity #womenshealth #uti #menopause #bladderhealth #healthyaging #microbiome #preventativehealth #urology