What causes urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women?
Many things can help to cause UTIs in women: • Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement (BM). Germs can get into your urethra, which has its opening in front of the vagina. • Having sexual intercourse. Germs in the vagina can be pushed into the urethra. • Waiting too long to pass urine. When urine stays in the bladder for a long time, more germs are made, and the worse a UTI can become. • Using a diaphragm for birth control, or spermicides with a diaphragm or on a condom. • Anything that makes it hard to completely empty your bladder, like a kidney stone. • Having diabetes, which makes it harder for your body to fight other health problems. • Loss of estrogen and changes in the vagina after menopause. Menopause is when you stop getting your period. What are the signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI)? There are signs if you have an infection: • Pain or stinging when you pass urine. • An urge to pass urine a lot. • Pressure in your lower belly. • Urine that smells bad or looks
