Why does urinary tract infection happen

Girls get UTIs much more often than guys, most likely due to differences in the shape and length of the urethra. Girls have shorter urethras than guys, and the opening lies closer to the anus where poop comes out and the vagina, where bacteria are likely to be. Bacteria can get into the urethra several ways. During sex, for example, bacteria in the vaginal area may be pushed into the urethra and eventually end up in the bladder, where pee provides a good environment for the bacteria to grow.

This is why females who are sexually active often get UTIs. UTIs are not contagious, so you can't catch a urinary tract infection from someone else. Bacteria may also get into a girl's bladder if she wipes from back to front after a bowel movement BM , which can contaminate the urethral opening. The use of spermicides including condoms treated with spermicide and diaphragms as contraceptives also may increase the risk of UTIs.

This is due to the inflammation and irritation of the urethra or vagina that's sometimes associated with chlamydia and other STDs. Some people seem to get frequent UTIs, but they often have other problems that make them more likely to get an infection, like a problem in the urinary tract structures or function.

The most common functional problem of the urinary tract is vesicoureteral reflux pronounced: veh-zi-coe-you-REE-tur-al , a condition in which some pee flows backward, or refluxes, from the bladder into the ureters and even up to the kidneys.

If you have any symptoms of a UTI, you'll need to go to a doctor right away. The sooner you begin treatment, the less uncomfortable you'll be. Call your doctor's office or clinic. If you can't reach your doctor, you can visit an urgent care center or hospital emergency room.

The most important thing is to take action as soon as possible. Only a health care provider can treat urinary tract infections. The first thing a doctor will do is confirm that a person has a UTI by taking a clean-catch urine specimen.

At the doctor's office, you'll be asked to clean your genital area with disposable wipes and then pee into a sterile bacteria-free cup. The sample may be used for a urinalysis a test that microscopically checks the pee for germs or pus or a urine culture to grow and identify bacteria in a lab. Knowing what bacteria are causing the infection can help your doctor choose the best treatment. UTIs are treated with antibiotics.

After several days of antibiotics, your doctor may repeat the urine tests to be sure that the infection is gone. It's important to make sure of this because an incompletely treated UTI can come back or spread. A urinary tract infection UTI is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men.

Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys. Doctors typically treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics. But you can take steps to reduce your chances of getting a UTI in the first place. Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:. UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults. Each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.

Contact your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of a UTI. Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder.

Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these 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 cystitis.

However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop it. All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy — specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.

Urinary tract infections are common in women, and many women experience more than one infection during their lifetimes. Risk factors specific to women for UTIs include:. When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences.

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