Urinary Tract Infections: Causes and Symptoms

Urinary infections are infections caused by bacteria and are often referred to as UTIs. Women tend to get these infections more than men do. They are not often serious, just painful and can be easily treated with a round of antibiotics. Causes of urinary infections are from a number of things. Some of them are bacteria, sexual intercourse, having multiple partners, diabetes and holding urine for too long in the bladder.

Bacteria

Urinary infections are most often caused by bacteria on the skin. This bacteria comes from the bowel and lives on the skin near the rectum. Sometimes it lives within the vagina from improper wiping. This bacteria travels in the vagina and to the urinary tract by the urethra. This then forms a urinary tract infection or UTI. As these bacteria enter the urethra, they continue to travel up. These bacteria can then cause an infection in the bladder as well as other parts of the urinary tract.

Intercourse

Sexual intercourse is another cause of urinary infections or UTIs. A woman's anatomy allows easy access to these bacteria. During intercourse positions are often changed and explored. A woman's anatomy allows easy access to these bacteria during these position changes. This is because a woman's urethra is shorter than a man's. When a female has intercourse these bacteria can already be in the vagina. The penis can then rub these bacteria by thrusting up to the urethra.

Multiple Partners

When a female has multiple partners this can cause her to get a urinary infection. This happens because she doesn't know who her partners have been with. They could carry around bacteria without knowing it and in return give it to her. Women who are in a monogamous relationships experience less UTIs than those with multiple partners.

Diabetes

Diabetes is another factor in urinary infections. When someone has diabetes it affects systems within the body that fight off infections. The most common is urinary tract infections. Diabetes causes poor circulation and when this occurs causes white blood cells to perform poorly at fighting infections. The bacteria easily pass on through the urethra and to the urinary tract. The infection can worsen in diabetics and spread to the bladder and kidneys.

Prolonging Urination

Holding urine is one of the worst things that a person can do. It not only causes urinary infections but also bladder infections. When someone holds urine for too long in the body, it causes the bladder to stretch beyond its normal shape. Overtime this can weaken the bladder. When this weaken state happens to the bladder, it may not completely empty after urination. Some of the urine may be left inside the bladder. This can increase the possibility of a urinary infection. It's always important to go to the bathroom upon feeling the first sign that you have to urinate.

Symptoms

There are symptoms that are associated with urinary infections. The most common symptoms is the urge to go urinate. When urination happens pain and burning in the urethra occurs. Also, little to no urine comes out. What little does come out may be mixed with a little bit of blood. These urges happen again quickly and this cycle repeats itself through out the day. If these symptoms occur see a physician. A sample of urine will be taken and the proper antibiotics are given to fight the urinary infection.