What Are the Causes of Recurrent UTI?

According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common infection. UTIs plague women more than men due to the shorter anatomy of the female urethra. At least one in five women will develop a UTI in her lifetime.

Background

• UTIs develop when bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract travel into the urethra and reproduce. Recurrent UTIs develop when the body's immune system is unable to fight off infections or the urethra is continuously irritated, allowing bacteria to move freely into the bladder.

Risk Factors for Women

• According to Mayo Clinic, sexually active women are highly susceptible to developing recurring UTIs. Sexual intercourse irritates the urethra, making it easier for infectious germs to travel into the bladder.

General Risk Factors

• According to the NKUDIC, obstructions of the urinary tract, such as kidney stones, can also lead to recurring UTIs. The continuous use of catheters introduces bacteria into the urethra and bladder, potentially causing recurring UTIs. Diseases that affect the immune system's abilities to fight off infections, such as diabetes, can also lead to recurrent UTIs.

Facts

• According to the NKUDIC, an average of 20 percent of women who develop a UTI once will develop another UTI; an average of 30 percent of women who develop two UTIs will develop a third infection; and women who have had three or more UTIs have an 80 percent chance of experiencing recurring UTIs.

Prevention/Solution

• Practicing proper perineal care, such as wiping from front to back after using the restroom, can prevent bacteria from entering the urethra. Mayo Clinic suggests drinking plenty of fluids and urinating immediately after sexual intercourse to prevent recurring UTIs. Women should also avoid using potentially irritating feminine products, such as douches and sprays, to prevent recurring UTIs.