Women contract Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) up to 30 times more often than do men, a susceptibility attributed to female anatomy: A woman’s Urethra - the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the bod - is shorter than a man’s, so bacteria need lesser time to invade the bladder. 

Further, a woman’s urethral opening is in close proximity to both the vagina and the rectum, which are the main sources of bacteria, such as E.Coli.  More than half the women are expected to have at least one UTI at some point in their lifetimes.

What is UTI?

UTI is a bacterial infection of the organs involved in production and elimination of urine from the body affecting both men and women. The organs involved in this exercise included the bladder, Urethra, and Kidneys. 

Most urinary tract infections occur in the bladder or the Urethra. UTIs can infect kidneys, as well. A UTI in the bladder is called Cystitis. The one infecting the kidneys is termed Pyelonephritis or Pyelo. More often than not bacteria from one’s skin or rectum enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract. The bacteria invade and then grow in the urinary tract. UTIs are also termed bladder infections.

Bacteria such as E. Coli, which live in bowel, cause most UTIs. However, fungi can also infect the urinary tract.

When are women most susceptible to UTIs?

Pregnancy and perinatal period, the time between getting pregnant and up to a year after giving birth, are marked by frequent urinary tract infections. Another period when women are highly susceptible to a UTI is the post-menopausal period when vagina is mostly colonised by E. Coli. The risk of infection increases  with age.

Sexual activity could transpose germs from areas such as the vagina to the urethra. Women who use spermicides - cream applications that kill the sperm - expose themselves to UTIs, since spermicides could kill good bacteria that afford protection from UTIs.

Left over urine in a woman’s bladder, which occurs during pregnancy with the developing foetus sitting on top of the bladder, can cause UTI. After menopause, vaginal tissue becomes dry due to the gradual decline of the hormone estrogen.

Treatment 

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are typically treated with a short course of antibiotics, often 3-5 days, and it's crucial to complete the entire course, even if symptoms improve. Drinking plenty of fluids and over-the-counter pain relievers can also help with symptoms.

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