Urinary Tract Infections: Why They Recur and How to 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.