A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection in any part of your urinary system, including your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.
If you are a woman, the chances of you getting a urinary tract infection are high. Some experts rate your lifetime risk of getting one as high as 1 in 2, with many women experiencing recurrent infections, sometimes for years. Approximately 1 in 10 men will get a UTI in their lifetime.
The urinary system is the body’s drainage system for getting rid of waste and extra water. These include the two kidneys, two ureters, bladder, and urethra. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the body.
You might have a UTI if you notice:
1. Pain or burning when you urinate
2. Fever, tiredness, or shakiness
3. The urge to urinate often
4. Pressure in lower abdomen
5. Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or red
6. Pain in the back or side below the ribs
Risk factor
Urinary tract infections are common in women, and many women experience more than one infection during their lives. Risk factors specific for women for a UTI include:
Sexual activity. Sexually active women tend to have more UTIs than sexually inactive women. Having a new sexual partner increases your risk too.
Anatomy of a woman. A woman has a shorter urethra than a man, which shortens the distance that bacteria must travel to reach the bladder.
Menopause. After menopause, a decrease in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract that make you more susceptible to infections.
Certain types of birth control. Women who use a diaphragm for birth control may be at a higher risk, as well as women who use spermicide agents.
People of all ages or genders can get UTIs. But about four times as many women get a UTI than men. You’re also at increased risk if you have diabetes, need a tube to drain your bladder, or have a spinal cord injury.
If you think you may have a UTI, it is important to see your doctor. Your doctor can find out if you have a UTI with a urine test. It is treated with antibiotics.
