Why Do I Get UTIs So Often?

Even if they’re a familiar part of your routine, frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) aren’t something you should ignore. 

Our team of board-certified internal medicine and family medicine doctors at Reagan Medical Center recommends prompt treatment for UTIs, especially if they occur frequently. 

Although anyone can develop a UTI, women are at a much greater risk, both before and after menopause. Here’s why. 

Risks for UTIs before menopause 

If you haven’t entered menopause and have recurrent UTIs, they could stem from several sources: 

Sexual intercourse

The friction from sexual intercourse makes it easier for bacteria to enter your urethra and/or bladder, causing a UTI. 

Although it’s tempting to go to sleep after sexual intercourse, make sure you get up and gently wash your genital area with mild soap and water, moving your washcloth from front to back. Urinating after sexual intercourse may also decrease your risk of infection.

A shorter urethra in women 

Women have a shorter urethra than men. Because it’s close to the anus, it’s easy for bacteria to migrate into it. 

Spermicides 

Do you and your partner use a spermicide when having sexual intercourse? Your vagina has beneficial bacteria that help protect it from harmful bacteria. 

Spermicides can upset the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina, allowing harmful bacteria to thrive. You can discuss birth control options with your Reagan Medical Center primary care doctor. 

Autoimmune conditions 

If you have a weakened immune system, you’re at increased risk for UTIs and other infections. Be vigilant about genital hygiene to lower your risk. 

Risks for UTIs after menopause

If you’re in menopause, you’re also at increased risk for UTIs. 

Protective bacteria decline

After menopause, the protective lactobacilli bacteria decline, placing you at a higher risk for UTIs. 

Bladder function 

Your bladder ages just like the rest of your body. As you get older, your bladder may not contract as well as it did when you were younger, so it doesn’t empty completely. Bacteria can multiply more easily. 

Genetics 

If your mother had recurring UTIs, you have a higher chance of getting them. A genetic predisposition applies to pre- and post-menopausal women. 

Men are not immune

Although the risk is significantly lower, men are not immune to UTIs, especially after the age of 60. The symptoms are similar, including burning with urination, frequent urination, and urinary urgency. 

The underlying cause of UTIs in men includes bacterial infection and other triggers that women also experience. However, they are also frequently linked to inflammation and enlargement of the prostate gland (prostatitis), which is a common condition in older men.

Treatment for UTIs

At Reagan Medical Center, we treat your UTI promptly with antibiotics. If you have recurring UTIs, we tailor your treatment to meet your specific needs.

For instance, we may prescribe a low-dose, long-term antibiotic to help prevent recurrence. If you’re in menopause, we can also prescribe a vaginal estrogen cream to help strengthen your vaginal tissues, making it more resistant to abrasions and micro tears after menopause. 

You may also benefit from further diagnostic studies to identify the underlying cause of frequent UTIs. Men may require treatment for prostatitis. 

Don’t ignore UTI symptoms. Call Reagan Medical Center or request an appointment through our online portal today.