The changes can increase the risk of UTIs.

After menopause, a decline in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract. Using spermicidal agents also can increase risk. Using diaphragms for birth control may increase the risk of UTIs. Having a new sexual partner also increases risk. Being sexually active tends to lead to more UTIs. As a result, there's less distance for bacteria to travel to reach the bladder. Women have a shorter urethra than men do. Risk factors for UTIs that are specific to women include: Many women experience more than one UTI during their lifetimes. This can happen because women's urethras are close to the vagina. They include herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma. An infection of the urethra can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections. This type of UTI can happen when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra.

This makes it easier for bacteria around the anus to enter the urethra and to travel to the bladder. And the urethral opening is close to the bladder. In women, the urethra is close to the anus. All women are at risk of bladder infections because of their anatomy. Having sex also may lead to a bladder infection, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop one.

But sometimes other bacteria are the cause. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract. The urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria. UTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder. Part of urinary tract affectedĬontact your health care provider if you have symptoms of a UTI. The symptoms depend on which part of the urinary tract is affected. Types of urinary tract infectionsĮach type of UTI may result in more-specific symptoms. In older adults, UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions.

Pelvic pain, in women - especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone.

Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored - signs of blood in the urine.

Urinating often, and passing small amounts of urine.

A strong urge to urinate that doesn't go away.

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