Urinary Tract Health | 5 min read
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections there is and if you've ever felt that unmistakable burning, urgent need to pee, you know just how disruptive one can be. You may also hear a UTI called a “bladder infection,” since the bladder is the part of the urinary tract most often affected. In this article, we'll cover what a UTI actually is, why they happen so much more often in women than in men, and the everyday factors that can raise your risk.
What is a urinary tract infection?
Your urinary tract is the system your body uses to make, store, and remove urine. It includes your kidneys, the ureters (the tubes connecting each kidney to the bladder), the bladder, and the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). A UTI happens when bacteria-often E. coli, which normally live in the gut—get into the urinary tract and multiply, thereby causing an infection.
Because an infection can occur anywhere along the tract, clinicians sometimes name it by location: a bladder infection is called cystitis, an infection of the urethra is urethritis, and a kidney infection is pyelonephritis. When most people say “bladder infection,” they're describing the most common type of UTI which is an infection of the bladder itself. In everyday conversation, the terms “UTI” and “bladder infection” are often used interchangeably, even though a bladder infection is technically just one kind of UTI.
Common symptoms include a frequent, urgent need to urinate, a burning feeling when you go, passing only small amounts of urine at a time, and cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine. If an infection reaches the kidneys, it can bring more serious symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea and one-sided lower back pain which are signals to seek medical care promptly.
Why are UTIs more common in women than in men?
UTIs are common in women because of the short female urethra and its opening sits close to both the vagina and the anus. That means bacteria from the gut or genital area have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder. Sexual activity also promotes bacterial migration into the urethra.
By many estimates, more than half of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime, and recurrences are common i.e. a large share of women who get a UTI will have another within the year. Men on the other hand have a longer urethra and the opening is further away from the anus. For this reason, UTIs in men are much less common until later in life, when an enlarged prostate and other age-related changes make them more likely.
Certain life stages add to a woman's risk. During menopause, changes in the vaginal microbiome that naturally keep things in balance make it easier for problem bacteria to flourish. Changes in vaginal and urinary tissues during pregnancy also make it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder and create the opportunity for bladder infection.
What causes a UTI? A look at common risk factors
At the most basic level, every UTI starts the same way: bacteria enter the urethra, travel up to the bladder and once there, begin to multiply. Factors that increase the risk of a bladder infection are:
- Sexual activity. Sex is one of the most commonly reported UTI triggers, especially in younger women, because it can mechanically move bacteria into the urethra. Urinating shortly after sex helps flush them out.
- Holding your urine. Urination is one of your body's best defenses, physically washing bacteria away. Regularly holding it for long stretches gives bacteria more time to travel and multiply.
- Not drinking enough fluid. When you're dehydrated, you urinate less often and your urine becomes more concentrated so bacteria are flushed out less frequently and have more time to multiply. Studies suggest that increasing daily water intake can lower the risk of recurrent UTIs.
- Menopause and hormonal changes. Lower estrogen after menopause hormonally shifts the vaginal microbiome in ways that make UTIs more likely.
- Pregnancy. Anatomical and hormonal changes can make it harder to fully empty the bladder and can cause increased pressure on the pelvic floor.
- Catheter use. Urinary catheters can introduce bacteria directly into the bladder and give them a surface to cling to. More specifically, urinary catheters can increase UTI risk by providing a pathway for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. With indwelling catheters bacteria can also form biofilms on the catheter surface, particularly the longer the catheter remains in place.
- Certain birth control. Diaphragms and spermicides can alter the vaginal environment and increase risk.
- Underlying conditions. Diabetes, kidney stones, and a weakened immune system can all make UTIs more likelyand in men, an enlarged prostate that blocks full bladder emptying is a leading cause.
- Long courses of antibiotics. It may sound surprising, but taking antibiotics for an extended period can sometimes raise your UTI risk. Antibiotics don't only target harmful bacteria, they can also wipe out the protective Lactobacillus species that help keep your urinary and vaginal microbiomes in balance, leaving the area more vulnerable to the very bacteria that cause UTIs.
It's worth remembering: getting a UTI doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Even people who do everything “right” can be more prone to UTIs than others, largely because of their anatomy and biology.
When to see a healthcare provider
Because UTI symptoms can overlap with other conditionslike interstitial cystitis, a vaginal infection, or an overactive bladder—t's important to get an accurate diagnosis. If you're experiencing UTI symptoms, especially for the first time, or if you notice fever, chills, back pain, or blood in your urine, check in with a healthcare provider so you can get the right treatment.
Being prepared makes a difference
Understanding your risk factors is the first step toward staying ahead of UTIs. And for the moments when symptoms do strike, having the right tools on hand can help you act quickly. The Cadence OTC UTI Emergency Relief Kit brings together UTI test strips to help you check for signs of infection, phenazopyridine for fast relief of burning and urgency, methenamine for controlling bacteria growth, and a pH power flush drink mix with vitamin C, D-mannose, and cranberry extract to support your urinary tract while you take next steps with your provider.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition.
References
1. Mayo Clinic. Urinary tract infection (UTI)—Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
2. Bono MJ, Leslie SW, Reygaert WC. Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. StatPearls, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470195/
3. Cleveland Clinic. Urinary System. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21197-urinary-system
4. Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Urinary tract infections. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections
5. Hooton TM, Vecchio M, Iroz A, et al. Effect of Increased Daily Water Intake in Premenopausal Women With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018;178(11):1509-1515. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30285042/
From the desk of
Dr. Sonia Bahlani
Pelvic pain specialist/ gynecologist
https://www.pelvicpaindoc.com/
