A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.
Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.
Symptoms
Urinary tract infections do not always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone
- UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.
Your urinary tract is made up of your:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
Each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.
Part of urinary tract affected :Signs and symptoms
Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis)
- Back pain or side (flank) pain
- High fever
- Shaking and chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Bladder (cystitis)
- Pelvic pressure
- Lower abdomen discomfort
- Frequent, painful urination
- Blood in urine
Urethra (urethritis)
Causes
Infection of the bladder (cystitis): This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible.
Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you do not have to be sexually active to develop it: All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy — specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.
Infection of the urethra (urethritis): This type of UTI can occur when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. Also, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma, can cause urethritis.
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Additional UTI risk factors for women
While it is been widely believed that wiping from back to front after using the bathroom increased the risk of recurring UTIs, older research showed that this is not the case.
Shorter urethra
In female bodies, the urethra is very close to both the vagina and the anus. This increases the likelihood of developing UTIs.
Bacteria that may naturally occur around both the vagina and anus can lead to infection in the urethra and the rest of the urinary tract.
Urethras in women are also shorter, and the bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to enter the bladder.
Sex
Pressure on the female urinary tract during penetrative sex can move bacteria from around the anus into the bladder. Oral sex can also introduce bacteria into the urethra, increasing the risk of infection.
Peeing after sex may help reduce the risk of infection.
Spermicides
Spermicides may increase UTI risk, because they can disrupt the vaginal microbiome.
Condom use during sex
Non-lubricated latex condoms may increase friction and irritate the skin during sexual intercourse. This may increase the risk of a UTI.
However, there are many reasons to use condoms. They are important for reducing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and preventing unwanted pregnancy.
Avoid using condoms that have been coated with spermicide.
Diaphragms
Diaphragms may put pressure on the urethra. This can decrease bladder emptying, increasing the risk for bacterial growth and infection.
Decrease in estrogen levels
After menopause, a decrease in estrogen level changes the normal bacteria in your vagina. This can increase the risk for a UTI.
Prevention
You can take these steps to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections:
- Drink cranberry juice. Although studies are not conclusive that cranberry juice prevents UTIs, it is likely not harmful.
- Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
- Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.
- Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth.
