While anyone can develop a urinary tract infection, women are at greater risk for them than men. It is an infection that begins in your urinary system, which is comprised of the ureters, kidneys, urethra and bladder. Any part of this system can become infected; however, most infections take place in the lower tract, which involves the bladder and urethra. Knowing the risk factors may help prevent the frequency and severity of these infections.
Your Gender
As stated by the Mayo Clinic, women are at greater risk for developing a urine infection than men, and most women will develop at least one during their life, with many suffering from more than one. This is due to their anatomical makeup. Women have a shorter urethra--the tube that connects the bladder to the opening in the vagina--than men do. This reduces the distance the bacteria must travel to reach the bladder, allowing an infection to take place.
Your Choice of Birth Control
Certain types of birth control can contribute to a urine infection, one of the most common being the diaphragm. Use of the diaphragm increases a woman's risk of developing this type of infection, because it pushes against the urethra, making it more difficult for the bladder to empty completely. This makes the bladder a perfect breeding ground for any bacteria that has found its way to this area.
Sexual Activity
Sexual activity irritates the urethra, making it easier for germs to travel through the urethra and into the bladder. The more sexually active a woman is, the greater her risk for developing a urinary tract infection.
Obstruction of Urine Flow
Obstruction of urine flow is the most common cause of urinary infections in men. The main cause of obstruction in men is an enlarged prostate. This allows any bacteria that enters the urinary tract to remain trapped due to a loss of urinary flow to flush it out. The longer the bacteria remains trapped, the more it multiplies, increasing the chances of an infection developing.
Menopause
Menopause causes a decrease in estrogen. As this hormone decreases, the tissues of both the vagina and the urethra begin to thin, making the bladder thinner and more susceptible to infection. This problem typically causes repeat urinary infections as women begin to age, according to Merck.
