What are the seven main culprits that cause urinary tract infections in women?

Why are women more prone to urinary tract infections, and what common causes increase their risk of disease? The National Women's Health Information Center in the United States lists seven "culprits" of urinary tract infections for female friends.

1. After going to the bathroom, wipe from back to front with toilet paper

Women have unique physiological characteristics. The urethral opening is close to the anus. The urethra is only 3-5 cm long, straight and wide, and the urethral sphincter is weak, so bacteria can easily retrograde along the urethral opening to the bladder. Improper wiping after defecation can greatly increase the risk of urethral contamination. In addition, the female vulva is particularly rich in sweat glands, which can easily make the vulva moist for a long time, allowing bacteria to take advantage of the situation.

2. Frequent sex or lack of hygiene

Urinary tract infections in women caused by sexual intercourse are relatively common, especially among newly married women. A survey from Taiwan showed that about a quarter of women have experienced "honeymoon cystitis."

3. Holding urine for too long

When urinating, urine has a flushing effect on the urethra. If you do not urinate for a long time, this flushing effect will be reduced, which will increase the risk of bacteria growing in the urethra. In addition, because women have shorter urethras, holding urine can easily cause ascending urinary tract bacterial infection, and in severe cases may even cause pyelonephritis. Research surveys have shown that the incidence of urinary tract infection in people with obstructed urine flow is 12 times higher than that in normal people.

4. Diabetes patients

Due to endocrine disorders and decreased body resistance, diabetic patients have an increased risk of various infections. Among them, urinary tract infection is very common, reaching 16%-35%. It is worth noting that diabetic patients often suffer from nerve damage and decreased sensitivity to infection, which means that 10%-20% of diabetic urinary tract infection patients do not feel any symptoms and only show bacteriuria.

5. Urinary tract obstruction

Ureteral and kidney stones, urethral stenosis, etc. can all cause urine retention, making it easy for bacteria to multiply and cause infection.

6. Decreased estrogen levels, such as after menopause

The decline in estrogen secretion in elderly women leads to atrophic changes in the vagina and urethra, making them more susceptible to urinary tract infection symptoms such as difficulty urinating and urgency.

7. Have you had urethral catheterization and instrument examination recently?

Catheterization, cystoscopy, urinary tract surgery, etc. can damage the mucosa and bring pathogens from the anterior urethra into the bladder or upper urinary tract, causing infection. According to statistics, the incidence of persistent bacteriuria after a catheterization is 1%-2%.