Physical conditions or hygiene problems may lead to the introduction or proliferation of bacterial organisms in the urinary tract that cause bladder infections, or cystitis. Symptoms include frequency, urgency, burning, abdominal pain and scant cloudy urine. At the doctor's office, a urine sample will reveal the presence of white blood cells. Culture and sensitivity tests can determine the type of bacteria and what medicines will work against it. This is important, because the wrong antibiotic may make things worse. Treatment usually resolves symptoms quickly, and drinking plenty of water can help prevent a relapse.
Female Anatomy
Urine drains from the bladder through a canal called the urethra. In males, the canal transports semen as well as urine. A long urethra makes bladder infections in males younger than 40 very uncommon; bladder infections in older men are usually linked to prostate problems. In females, the urethra is very short, making it easier for germs to migrate inside. The meatus, or urinary opening, is in front of the vagina and closer to the rectum than it is in males. Proper toileting for girls includes wiping from front to back, or clean to dirty. This practice is thought to reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections.
Sexual Activity
While bladder infections are not sexually transmitted diseases, mechanical transmission of bacteria from the genitals to the urethra can be facilitated by sexual intercourse and oral sex. The association between sexual activity and urinary tract infections was investigated by researchers at a Texas hospital. The study, published in the August 2002 issue of the "Southern Medical Journal," followed 96 otherwise healthy teenage girls whose urine was heavily colonized by bacteria. Thirty-two subjects admitted being sexually active; 25 percent of the girls in this group became pregnant and 13 percent became infected with sexually transmitted disease. Of 55 girls who did not admit but showed evidence of sexual activity, 20 percent became pregnant, 14 percent had subsequent STD infection, and 42 percent had recurrent UTI. Of the nine girls who were not sexually active, none became pregnant, zero were infected with STDs, and there were no recurrent bladder infections. The Texas researchers concluded that adolescent girls presenting for treatment of urinary tract infection need access to care and information regarding responsible sexual activity.
Pregnancy
By the sixth week of pregnancy, the enlarging uterus begins to compress vessels of the urinary system. Hormones in the mother's body cause the relaxation of smooth muscle fibers, slowing the flow of urine. In an article published in the February 2000 issue of "American Family Physician," Doctors John Dezell and Michael Lefevere of the Columbia School of Medicine assert that these changes, and the fact that 70 percent of pregnant women have sugar in their urine, lead to decreased resistance to the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. For pregnant teens who may drink sodas and sugary drinks more than water, the risk of bladder infections is high.
