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The Major Causes of a UTI

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is the infection of any part of the urinary tract, which comprises the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria known as Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus. The most common type is cystitis, an infection of the bladder. They can also take the form of pyelonephritis, an infection in the ureters and kidneys. UTIs have numerous causes, of which some are preventable and some are unavoidable.

  1. Sexual Activity

    • In young, premenopausal women, sexual activity has caused UTIs. This risk increases when there are multiple partners. Spermicide and diaphragm use, regardless of whether sex occurs, increases the possibility of developing a UTI. Body tissues may be irritated or slightly torn during sex, increasing the susceptibility to infection.

    Urinary Catheters

    • Urinary catheters, inserted into the bladder, are also a source of UTIs. Anytime a foreign object is introduced into the body infection is a risk. Aseptic technique performed under sterile conditions is necessary when inserting a urinary catheter to reduce the risk of UTI. The lining of the bladder wall can be disturbed by a urinary catheter, providing an opportunity for organisms to colonize.

    Gender

    • Women are more prone than men to UTIs due to the close proximity of the urethra to the anus. Additionally, the urethra in females is much shorter, so the bladder is more often involved. Young men tend to get UTIs less frequently than women of a comparable age because the prostate gland has secretions that limit bacterial growth. Physician's Desktop Reference points out that older men are at risk because with increasing age, the prostate gland tends to enlarge and compress the urethra, making complete evacuation of the bladder more difficult.

    Urinary Retention

    • Urinary retention is the failure to completely empty the bladder of all urine. Urine is a growth medium for bacteria, and the longer it stays in the bladder the longer microorganisms have to colonize the urinary tract. Urinary retention can be involuntary, such as injury to the neurons that contract the bladder muscle, or voluntary, such as waiting extended periods of time to urinate. The bladder is a muscle that stretches to hold a greater volume of urine. When it is stretched beyond its capacity, the bladder muscle weakens and can fail to contract properly. Consequently, some urine will remain in the bladder.

      Failure to drink adequate amounts of fluid also increases the risk for developing a UTI. When less fluid is taken in, less urine is produced, so the frequency of urination decreases. Urination helps to wash out any bacteria that may be in the urinary tract.

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