Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon Causes and Risk FactorsGeneticsLifestyle Risk FactorsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in UTI GuideUrinary Tract Infection Prevention

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Common Causes and Risk Factors

Genetics

Lifestyle Risk Factors

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in UTI Guide

Your body typically eliminates these bacteria before they can trigger symptoms, but risk factors ranging from sexual activity to underlying health problems can increase the likelihood ofdeveloping a urinary tract infection.

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UTI risk factors

While a UTI can occur in any part of your urinary system (including the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra), most UTIsaffect the bladderand urethra (i.e. the lower urinary tract).Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae, andProteus mirabilisare among the bacteria most commonly linked to UTIs.

Genital Anatomy

Because of certain anatomical factors, people with a vagina face a much higher risk of UTIs (compared to people with a penis). This is because people with a vagina have a shorter urethra, which allows bacteria to reach and infect the bladder far more easily. What’s more, the opening to the urethra in people with a vagina is significantly closer to the rectum, where UTI-causing bacteria are known to dwell.

Pregnancy

Due to pregnancy-related changes in the urinary tract, UTIs may also be more common during pregnancy (especially from week six through week 24).

It’s said that the increased size and weight of the uterus may prevent the complete drainage of urine from the bladder, which can make pregnant women more UTI-prone.

Menopause

Women who have gone through menopause may also have a greater risk of urinary tract infections, possibly due to hormonal changes that might affect the beneficial bacteria responsible for fighting off harmful microorganisms in the urinary tract.

Health Conditions

Several chronic health problems may increase UTI risk as well. These include conditions associated with impaired immune response (such asdiabetes), which can weaken your body’s ability to fend off bacteria. Age-related issues likeAlzheimer’s diseasemay also factor into UTI risk, since they may interfere with personal hygiene.

In addition, the following people may be more likely to develop urinary tract infections:

Foods to Avoid With a UTI

Some emerging research suggests that genetics may play a role in urinary tract infections.

In a 2011 report published in the journalNature Reviews: Urology, for instance, scientists state that genetic variation in immune response may either influence the severity of UTIs or protect against infection.

However, more research is needed before the possible genetic causes of UTIs can be fully understood.

A number of lifestyle factors may contribute to the development of urinary tract infections.

Sexual Activity

Sexual activity is one of the most common lifestyle risk factors for UTIs, particularly for women. It’s thought that sexual intercourse may transport bacteria from the genitals and anus into the urethra and, in turn, lead to infection.

For men, unprotected sexual activity involving women with a vaginal infection may increase risk of UTIs.

Birth Control

Use of certain types of birth control (such as diaphragms or spermicide) may also raise UTI risk in women.

Personal Hygiene

Several personal hygiene habits are also considered risk factors for UTIs. These habits include:

Frequently Asked QuestionsUTIs cause pain in the side of the abdomen or pelvic region, pressure in the pelvis, frequent need to urinate, painful urination, blood in the urine, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine. They also cause pain during sex, penis pain, lower back pain, fatigue, fever, vomiting, and mental changes.UTIs and certain STDs share some overlapping symptoms, including pain or burning while urinating, frequent and/or urgent need to urinate, foul-smelling or cloudy urine, pelvic pain, and unusual discharge.UTI is a general term for an infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. A bladder infection, which is also known as cystitis, is an infection that specifically occurs in the bladder and causes inflammation.Learn MoreCystitis vs. UTI: What Are the Differences?

UTIs cause pain in the side of the abdomen or pelvic region, pressure in the pelvis, frequent need to urinate, painful urination, blood in the urine, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine. They also cause pain during sex, penis pain, lower back pain, fatigue, fever, vomiting, and mental changes.

UTIs and certain STDs share some overlapping symptoms, including pain or burning while urinating, frequent and/or urgent need to urinate, foul-smelling or cloudy urine, pelvic pain, and unusual discharge.

UTI is a general term for an infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. A bladder infection, which is also known as cystitis, is an infection that specifically occurs in the bladder and causes inflammation.Learn MoreCystitis vs. UTI: What Are the Differences?

UTI is a general term for an infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. A bladder infection, which is also known as cystitis, is an infection that specifically occurs in the bladder and causes inflammation.

Learn MoreCystitis vs. UTI: What Are the Differences?

What Is a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)?

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is a bladder infection?American Pregnancy Association.Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy.Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C.Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility.Nat Rev Urol. 2011;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100Cleveland Clinic.Urinary tract infections.Nemours Foundation. TeensHealth.Why am I getting urinary tract infections?Additional ReadingFlores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol.2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-Hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C.Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility.Nat Rev Urol. 2011 Jul 12;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Adults.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is a bladder infection?American Pregnancy Association.Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy.Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C.Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility.Nat Rev Urol. 2011;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100Cleveland Clinic.Urinary tract infections.Nemours Foundation. TeensHealth.Why am I getting urinary tract infections?Additional ReadingFlores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol.2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-Hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C.Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility.Nat Rev Urol. 2011 Jul 12;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Adults.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is a bladder infection?American Pregnancy Association.Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy.Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C.Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility.Nat Rev Urol. 2011;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100Cleveland Clinic.Urinary tract infections.Nemours Foundation. TeensHealth.Why am I getting urinary tract infections?

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is a bladder infection?

American Pregnancy Association.Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy.

Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C.Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility.Nat Rev Urol. 2011;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100

Cleveland Clinic.Urinary tract infections.

Nemours Foundation. TeensHealth.Why am I getting urinary tract infections?

Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol.2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-Hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C.Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility.Nat Rev Urol. 2011 Jul 12;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Adults.

Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ.Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.Nat Rev Microbiol.2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432

Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-Hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C.Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility.Nat Rev Urol. 2011 Jul 12;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Adults.

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