Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria enters the urethra and travels into the bladder. A more serious infection can lead to kidney infections, which are less common.

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) include:

• Pain in the abdomen
• Painful urination
• Feeling the “need” to urinate
• Cloudy urine
• Blood in urine

There are a number of factors that contribute or make someone more predisposed to UTIs, both anatomical and external such as an obstruction in the urethra, immune disorders or even the bacteria found on your skin. Usually a simple course of antibiotics will clear up the infection. Most men and some women, however, will need further testing to make sure there is no significant problem present.

Women who have gone through menopause have a change in the lining of the vagina and lose the protective effects of estrogen that decrease the likelihood of UTIs. Some women are genetically predisposed to UTIs and have urinary tracts that allow bacteria to adhere to it more readily. Sexual intercourse also can increase the frequency of UTIs.

Women who use diaphragms have also been found to have an increased risk when compared to those using other forms of birth control. Using condoms with spermicidal foam is also known to be associated with an increase in UTIs in women. Women are more prone to UTIs because they have shorter urethras than men so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder. Usually it requires no more than a simple course of antibiotics to clear up the infection.

More information on urinary tract infections click here.