Urinary Tract Infection

Aurinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, uterus, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.

Risk factors

UTIs are common in women. Many women experience more than one UTI during their lifetimes.

Risk factors for UTIs that are specific to women include:

• Female anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra than men do. As a result, there’s less distance for bacteria to travel to reach the bladder.

• Sexual activity. Being sexually active tends to lead to more UTIs. Having a new sexual partner also increases risk.

• Certain types of birth control. Using diaphragms for birth control may increase the risk of UTIs. Using spermicidal agents also can increase risk.

• Menopause. After menopause, a decline in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract. The changes can increase the risk of UTIs.

Causes

UTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder. The urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria. But the defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.

The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect

the bladder and urethra.

• Infection of the bladder. This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. But sometimes other bacteria are the cause. • Infection of the urethra. An infection of the urethra can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections. They include herpes, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and mycoplasma. This can happen because women’s urethras are close to the vagina.

Symptoms

UTIs don’t always cause symptoms. When they do, they may include:

• A strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away • A burning feeling when urinating • Urinating often, and passing small amounts of urine

• Urine that looks cloudy

• Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-coloured — signs of blood in the urine • Strong-smelling urine

• Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the centre of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone

Prevention

These steps may help lower the risk of UTIs: • Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute the urine. That leads to urinating more often — allowing bacteria to be flushed from the urinary tract before an infection can begin.

• Try cranberry juice. Studies that look into whether cranberry juice prevents UTIs aren’t final. However, drinking cranberry juice is likely not harmful.

• Empty your bladder soon after having sex. Also drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.

• Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using them in the genital area can irritate the urethra.

These products include deodorant sprays, douches and powders.

• Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, unlubricated condoms or condoms treated with spermicide can contribute to bacterial growth.