Approximately 50 to 60 percent of females develop at least one bladder infection during their life, according to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A bladder infection, also called a urinary tract infection, can cause painful, frequent or urgent urinary symptoms in affected women. Women who have questions about the causes of female bladder infection should consult a physician for more information.
Infrequent Urination or Improper Wiping
Infrequent urination or improper vaginal wiping after using the bathroom can cause bladder infection symptoms in females, WomensHealth.gov warns. Urine that remains within the bladder for prolonged periods of time can lead to bladder inflammation and bacterial growth within the urine. Improper vaginal wiping, or wiping from back to front after having a bowel movement, can pull bacteria from the rectum into the vaginal area. Bacteria near the vagina can enter a woman's urethra, the thin tube the transports urine from the bladder out of the body. If bacteria enter the urethra, these pathogens can travel up a woman's urinary tract into the bladder, leading to a bladder infection.
Sexual Intercourse
Women who engage in sexual intercourse can develop a bladder infection, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University explains. During intercourse, bacteria from the rectal area can come in contact with a woman's vagina. These bacteria can enter the urethra and infect the bladder, causing a urinary tract infection.
Using a Diaphragm or Spermicides
Using certain types of birth control such as a diaphragm or spermicides can cause female bladder infections in women, The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports. When a woman inserts a diaphragm into her vagina she can inadvertently introduce bacterial pathogens into her body, which can cause a bladder infection. Spermicides can irritate and inflame a woman's reproductive tract, increasing a woman's risk of developing a bladder infection.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes that occur during menopause can cause bladder infection in females. Decreased levels of estrogen within a woman's body cause changes in a woman's urinary tract and immune response, which can make her more likely to develop a bladder infection, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Women who are pregnant are also at an increased risk of developing a bladder infection due to both hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy.
Kidney or Bladder Stones
Women who develop kidney or bladder stones may have difficulty emptying the bladder of urine, according to WomensHealth.gov. Urine retention due to kidney or bladder stones can lead to bacterial growth within the urine, which can cause a bladder infection in females.
Chemical Irritants
Vaginal exposure to chemical irritants, such as vaginal creams or soaps, can cause female bladder infection symptoms, the UMMC reports. Inflammation and irritation of the vagina can make a woman more susceptible to bacterial infections.
