Urinary Tract Infections: Why They Recur and How to Prevent Them
50 to 60% of women will experience at least one urinary tract infection in their lifetime
Dr. Claire Dubois
Urologist
In simple terms
Burning during urination, frequent urges, pelvic pain: urinary tract infections primarily affect women. Here's how to understand and prevent them.
Understanding urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection, or cystitis, is caused in 80% of cases by the bacterium Escherichia coli, which travels up the urethra to the bladder. The female anatomy (short urethra) explains why women are far more affected. Typical symptoms are burning during urination, urgent and frequent urges to urinate, and sometimes blood in the urine.
Risk factors
Sexual intercourse, spermicide use, menopause (drop in estrogen), pregnancy, and diabetes increase the risk. In men, prostatic hypertrophy can obstruct bladder emptying and promote infections.
When to seek urgent care
If fever exceeds 38.5°C, if lower back pain appears, or if symptoms persist despite treatment, it may be pyelonephritis (kidney infection) which requires prompt management.
Daily prevention
Drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day, urinate after sexual intercourse, wipe from front to back, wear cotton underwear, and avoid aggressive intimate hygiene products. Cranberry might reduce recurrences according to some studies, but evidence remains moderate.
The words explained
Medical terms used above, in everyday language.
- Symptom
- A sign you can feel or see that something is wrong, like pain, tiredness or a rash.
- Risk factor
- Something that makes an illness more likely, such as smoking or family history.
- Prevention
- Steps taken before a problem starts, to make it less likely.
When should you see a doctor?
- Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
- They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
- You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
- You already take medication and want to change anything about it.
This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Urinary Tract Infections: Why They Recur and How to Prevent Them?
- Burning during urination, frequent urges, pelvic pain: urinary tract infections primarily affect women. Here's how to understand and prevent them.
- What are the main symptoms or signs of Urinary Tract Infections: Why They Recur and How to Prevent Them?
- Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
- When should you see a doctor for Urinary Tract Infections: Why They Recur and How to Prevent Them?
- See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.
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