Reasons Why You Keep Getting UTIs and How to Treat Them(3/4)
Many women who get a urinary tract infection (UTI) may get one again in their lives. One in five women experiences recurrent UTIs—an infection that occurs twice or more within six months or at least three times in a year. Men can get recurrent UTIs too, but it is not as common and is often due to urinary tract blockage.
There are many reasons why women may have recurring urinary infections, but today we will focus on the other two common causes.
You use douches
Douching is the practice of washing out your vagina with water or a store-bought mixture. This can also throw off the balance of normal flora in the vagina, allowing for the overgrowth of bacteria that causes UTIs, Yun says.
Plus, douching can increase the risk of other vaginal infections and irritations such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. Overall, Yun says gynaecologists typically advise against douching.
You may have certain medical conditions
Certain medical conditions can make you more likely to get a UTI. Some of these include:
Diabetes: Diabetes may weaken the immune system, leaving you more susceptible to UTIs. Plus, Ruiz says that diabetics' urine tends to have higher glucose levels in it, which can promote bacteria growth.
Autoimmune diseases: Any autoimmune illness will put you at higher risk for UTIs since your immune function is compromised, Ruiz says.
Pelvic organ prolapse: If any of your organs have prolapsed, it may make it difficult to empty your bladder, Ruiz says. Because of this, bacteria may thrive and cause UTIs. A pelvic organ prolapse occurs when muscles that support the organs weaken and fall into or out of the vagina.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy can make it harder to empty your bladder fully, making you more likely to develop a UTI. The prevalence of UTIs in pregnancy is anywhere from 2% to 13%.
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