Why are women more prone to urinary tract infections than men?

Why are women more prone to urinary tract infections than men?

It boils down to basic anatomy. Women’s urethras are located closer to their anuses, creating more opportunity for bacteria to infiltrate. Women’s urethras are also shorter than men’s, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.

Where does an urinary tract infection come from?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in your kidneys, bladder, ureters (the tubes from your kidney to your bladder) or urethra (the tube from your bladder to the outside of your body). According to Dr. Bajic, men and women differ in both how they get a UTI and how likely they are to get one.

How often does a woman have a UTI?

The National Kidney Foundation states one in five women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime. After you’ve had one, your risk for having recurrent UTIs increases with each UTI you have. And 27 percent of women have more than two UTIs every year. Experiencing UTI symptoms? Talk to a provider without leaving home or work.

How is the urethra different in men and women?

In men, the urethra is around 15-20 cm long while in women it’s around 4 cm. So for an infection to travel up the urethra in a male and make it to the bladder, it has a lot further to go. For women, on the other hand, bacteria only has a short distance to travel to get inside.

It boils down to basic anatomy. Women’s urethras are located closer to their anuses, creating more opportunity for bacteria to infiltrate. Women’s urethras are also shorter than men’s, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in your kidneys, bladder, ureters (the tubes from your kidney to your bladder) or urethra (the tube from your bladder to the outside of your body). According to Dr. Bajic, men and women differ in both how they get a UTI and how likely they are to get one.

The National Kidney Foundation states one in five women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime. After you’ve had one, your risk for having recurrent UTIs increases with each UTI you have. And 27 percent of women have more than two UTIs every year. Experiencing UTI symptoms? Talk to a provider without leaving home or work.

What are the risk factors for recurrent UTIs?

It is important to uncover underlying abnormalities or modifiable risk factors. Several risk factors for recurrent UTIs have been identified, including the frequency of sexual intercourse, spermicide use and abnormal pelvic anatomy. In postmenopausal women UTIs often accompany the symptoms and signs of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).