Reasons Why You Keep Getting UTIs and How to Treat Them(1/4)
Anyone who's had a urinary tract infection (UTI) will tell you that it's annoying and uncomfortable. A UTI occurs when bacteria infect a part of the urinary tract.
UTIs are ubiquitous. Over 50% of women will have at least one UTI. Some people will have more, especially if they are predisposed to recurring UTIs. Recurring UTIs are defined as having several UTIs a year, says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, OB/GYN Lead at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
Here are several reasons why you may be having recurring UTIs and how to reduce your risk of getting them again.
You are a woman
Women are more prone to UTIs simply due to their anatomy. Having a shorter urethra and a shorter distance between the opening of the urethra, vagina, and anus makes women more likely to get frequent UTIs, says Jane Yun, MD, OB/GYN at Loma Linda University Health.
Men have longer urethras and a greater distance between their urethra and anus, making them less likely to get UTIs, though it is still possible. Women get UTIs a whopping 30 times more than men do.
You are sexually active
Having sexual intercourse can also put you at a higher risk of getting UTIs. This is because sex can cause bacteria from the vagina and anus to get pushed up the urethra, says Ruiz. Once this bacteria is in the urethra, it can cause an infection.
To counteract this, Ruiz says you should constantly urinate after sex to flush away bacteria and help prevent a UTI.
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