What Causes Female Urinary Tract Infections?

Published on: June 14, 2018

Any woman who has experienced a urinary tract infection or UTI knows how uncomfortable this condition can be and wants to avoid a reoccurrence. Unfortunately, some women seem to have ongoing urinary tract issues, while others rarely or never get a UTI. Although not all can be prevented, there are ways to reduce the risk of a urinary tract infection when you understand the causes.

Women are more prone than men to UTIs due to the location and length of their urethra. When bacteria enter the urethra and travel up to the bladder, they can multiple and cause infection. This can be irritating and painful but can be even worse if the UTI spreads to the kidneys. To limit the chance of a UTI, it is important to avoid bacteria contamination in the urethra whenever possible. A few ways to do this include:

  • Bathroom hygiene. When using the toilet for elimination, always wipe from front to back when cleaning. This reduces chance of bacteria from fecal matter entering the urethra.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Keeping urine flowing through the urethra can flush out bacteria – drink plenty of water every day.
  • Birth control methods. Diaphragms or inserted birth control devices may increase the bacteria introduced to the urethra area.
  • Sexual intercourse. New or multiple sexual partners can often lead to UTIs – make sure to urinate immediately after intercourse to flush out any bacteria from the urethra.

If you have suffered from ongoing urinary tract infections, make an appointment with your local OB/GYN to discuss options for prevention. Changing birth control methods or other options may help you reduce your risk and protect your health.

Posted on behalf of:
Solace Woman’s Care
690 S Loop 336 W Suite 220
Conroe, TX 77304
(936) 441-7100

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