Women & UTIs

Although urinary tract infections can affect both men and women of all ages, women are much more likely to develop one, especially women between the ages of 18 and 40. It is estimated that nearly 60% of women will develop a UTI at some point during their lives.* This may be because a woman's urethra is close to the anus and vagina, making it easier for bacteria to enter. Also, women have a much shorter urethra than men, allowing the bacteria to access the urinary tract more rapidly.

For a list of UTI symptoms, visit the Types & Symptoms section of this site.

Recurring UTIs

UTIs frequently return, especially in women:

20% of women who develop a UTI will experience a repeated infection*
30% of those women will have a third UTI at a later date*
80% of women who develop a third UTI will have other recurrences*

There is a difference between a relapse of a UTI and a recurrent UTI: A relapse occurs when the original infecting bacteria cause the new infection, whereas a recurrent UTI occurs when a new strain or type of bacteria (different from the original one) causes the infection.
If you tend to get frequent UTIs, whether or not you experience symptoms, you may want to ask your doctor or healthcare provider about a special dipstick (now available without a prescription) that can help determine if an infection is present. If you test positive for a UTI, make an appointment to see your doctor or healthcare provider. If you experience symptoms of a UTI but your test is negative, you should still contact your doctor or healthcare provider.

Life Stages and UTIs

You may be more susceptible to urinary tract infections at different times of your life.

For example, women who have recently become sexually active for the first time, or who are experiencing a period of increased sexual activity, frequently get UTIs due to unfamiliar bacteria entering the body. You can learn more about this and how to prevent it in the Sex & UTIs section of this site.

UTIs are more common during pregnancy because of changes in the urinary tract. As the uterus grows, its increased weight can block the drainage of urine from the bladder, causing an infection. See our FAQs for more information.

Postmenopausal women with bladder or uterine prolapse may experience UTIs caused by residual urine left in the bladder. Lack of estrogen can also alter the bacteria and fungi normally found in the vagina and promote growth of E. coli.

For more information on UTIs in women, visit our FAQs.

Remember, your doctor or healthcare provider is the single best source of information regarding you and your health. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about your health, your symptoms, or your medication.

* Sources: Foxman, B., American Journal of Medicine 2002 Foxman B., et al. Annual Epidemiology 2000; NIDDK

NOTE: These sources above are cited per Ava Cadell's "Keep the Honeymoon Alive" presentation, as shown in slide five, "Prevalence of UTIs in Women". The two sources listed in this presentation are cited for all statistics on that slide, and not linked to specific statistics.