It has been estimated that one half of all women will report having at least one urinary tract infection during their life1. Many of these women will experience recurrent infections. The cause, types of UTIs, diagnosis, risk factors and treatment options are much better understood today, compared to 25 years ago. In general, urinary tract infections in women are due to bacteria gaining access to the bladder from the urethra. In females, the urethra is very short.
Bacteria can adhere to the area around the urethra and multiply rapidly.
Because of the shortened urethra, bacteria can enter the bladder relatively easy. Usually, the bladder environment is very hostile to the bacteria and does not allow the multiplication of bacteria. However, in the right circumstances, bacteria will multiply in the bladder. With uncontrolled growth of the bacteria, symptoms develop due to the inflammation of the bladder and urethra. These symptoms include increased frequency of urination, sensation of discomfort before, during and after voiding, and pain in the lower back and pelvis.