Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

What is a UTI?
The urinary tract carries urine out of the body, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria enter the tract. Ureters, or small tubes, carry urine from kidneys into the bladder, which stores the urine. Urine comes out of the body from the bladder through a tube, called the urethra. Both men and women can have UTI at any age, regardless of sexual activity or history.

How common are UTI?
UTIs are very common. For people under the age of 60, UTIs are fifty times more common in women than men. Almost half of all women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime. Many women have several infections throughout their lives. However, after 60, both men and women have a similar tendency to get UTIs.

What are the symptoms?
Although most UTIs are not serious, they are painful and cause discomfort. The most common symptoms for both men and women are:

•Burning sensation when you urinate
•Feeling like you need to urinate more often than usual
•Feeling the urge to urinate but not being able to
•Leaking a little urine
•Urine smells bad
•Back pain
•Cloudy, dark or bloody urine
•Pain or discomfort in the lower abdominal area (just above the pubic bone)

What causes UTI?
Most UTI are caused by one type of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the colon. If the bacteria are transferred from the anal area to the opening of the urethra, it can result in an infection. Women tend to get UTIs more often than men, because their urethras are much shorter. Bacteria normally present in the anus can easily travel the shorter distance up through the urinary tract.

In men, several factors can lead to a UTI: abnormalities of the urinary tract, such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate, a catheter or tube placed in the bladder, or having diabetes or any disease that suppresses the immune system. In women, UTIs can be caused by having sexual intercourse, waiting too long to urinate, pregnancy, after menopause, having diabetes. Also, women with a history of urinary tract infections or bladder infections as a child are more likely to have UTIs in the future.

How can I prevent UTI?
You can take several steps to prevent UTI, especially if you have a tendency to get them regularly, such as:1

•Drink a lot of water. Water will flush out your system, preventing the growth of bacteria in the urethra
•Urinate when you have to. Ignoring the call of nature can cause your bladder to stretch and weaken, which prevents the complete emptying of your bladder. Being unable to completely empty your bladder can lead to infection.
•Urinate after sex. Any bacteria transmitted during intercourse will be washed away.
•Avoid wearing tight clothing, bathing suits, or nylon underwear for extended periods. They can trap moisture and cause bacteria to collect.
As women get UTIs more regularly, they can follow the steps above as well as the following:2
•Keep your vaginal area clean making sure to wash the area when you shower.
•After a shower or bath, make sure your vaginal area is completely dry before getting dressed.
•Wear cotton underpants and pantyhose with a cotton crotch.
•Wipe from front to back. This will prevent bacteria from your rectum being passed to your urethra.
•Avoid use of moisturizers, douches, heavily perfumed soaps, or scented sanitary napkins around your urethra. This can cause irritation and may trap bacteria.

Can UTI be transmitted to another person?
UTIs cannot be transmitted to another person.

Can UTI cause problems with fertility or pregnancy?
There is no known connection between UTIs and fertility. However, UTIs during pregnancy increase a woman's risk for preterm delivery (less than 37 weeks) and for baby with low birth weight. If you are pregnant and have UTI symptoms, it is important to seek treatment right away.

What test and treatment is available for UTI?
A license health care provider can determine if you have a UTI by testing your urine for excess bacteria. UTI are treated with antibiotics.

How can I find more information?
For more information, testing, or treatment, consult a licensed health care professional. For related resources, click here.