A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is also referred to as cystitis. The College of Family Physicians of Canada states that most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and that any part of the urinary tract can be affected. The urinary tract includes the kidneys; the ureters, or tubes to the bladder; the bladder; and the urethra, or tube leading to the outside of the body. Bladder and urethra infections are the most common type of UTIs. Urinary tract infections are a serious problem and the second most common type of infection in the body. Women are more susceptible, though men also get this type of infection.
Hygiene
The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that normally urine is sterile and free of bacteria and viruses. However, an infection can occur when bacteria from the digestive tract come into contact with the opening of the urethra, multiply and enter the urinary tract. Most urinary tract infections are caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli, or E. coli, which normally inhabit the colon of the large intestine. Feces carry the bacteria to the urinary tract. For this reason, inadequate hygiene and wiping from the back to the front can cause UTIs. To help prevent urinary tract infections, using water in addition to toilet paper to cleanse the area can prevent bacteria from entering the urethra.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Microorganisms such as Chlamydia and Mycoplasma, which cause sexually transmitted diseases, can be passed from one sexual partner to another and cause UTIs in both men and women. These infections normally affect the urethra and reproductive organs and not the bladder or the kidneys, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Kidney Stone Infection
A kidney stone can become infected and cause symptoms such as pain, inflammation and fever. The College of Family Physicians of Canada explains that a kidney infection, which is called a pyelonephritis, can be caused by an infection in the bladder and can also cause a urinary tract infection. The kidney infection is carried downstream to the bladder and urethra, causing a urinary tract infection.
Sexual Activity
The urinary tract is designed to prevent the entry of bacteria and also to wash out any bacteria before it can cause an infection. Both men and women also produce secretions that deter the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. In men, the prostate gland secretes fluids that stop a bacterial infection from occurring. However, during sexual activity, bacteria may be pushed into the urinary tract. This is more likely to occur in women, who are more vulnerable to an infection because they have a shorter urethra, and there is higher risk when sex is not monogamous.
Pregnancy and Birth Control
The College of Family Physicians of Canada notes that women who use diaphragm contraceptive devices may be more prone to infections of the bladder and urethra because the diaphragm can push against the urethra, making it difficult to empty the bladder. Pregnant women may also experience this problem. When the bladder is not emptied completely, bacteria is more likely to collect and multiply, causing an infection.
