Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, is a condition in which bacteria get into the urinary tract via the urethra and multiply rapidly. Although the urinary system keeps such microscopic bacteria out, the system can fail sometimes. UTI is prevalent in women; around 50 – 60% of women encounter the infection at least once in their life.

Let’s look at some of the causes of UTI in both men and women.

What causes UTIs?

UTI is not something that only affects women; men can also get UTI if the bacteria penetrate the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). Urinary tract infection is far more common in women than in men, but this doesn't mean men can't experience this.

The causes and symptoms may vary depending on where along your urinary tract the infection has occurred, which includes:

Kidney (urinary tract infection of kidney)

It grows slowly and occurs mainly in older men who have enlarged prostate glands as well as those who have indwelling catheters. Urinary tract infection of the kidney can get serious and painful if not treated in time.

Ureters (urinary tract infection of the ureter)

This type of UTI involves the utero-tubular junction and is common in women who have given birth to at least two children since the protective barrier around the uterus and cervix has been weakened and made more susceptible to bacterial infections. It may also occur due to the presence of a tumor in the utero-tubular junction.

Urinary bladder (urinary tract infection of the bladder)

It's caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli which is commonly found in your intestines and can easily make its way into the urinary tract and cause the infection.

Urethra (urinary tract infection of the urethra)

It can occur because of a urethral catheter where the risk increases if you're taking antibiotics for a long time, due to the possible formation of resistant bacterial strains, or because of a urethral ring used to assist in urination at times when urination would have been difficult.

Seek Virtual Medical Care!

The pain that’s associated with a UTI is usually a combination of the pain from the kidney stone and infection, but in most cases, it's more due to an infection. Most people who have been diagnosed with kidney stones have also had a UTI at some point in their lives.

If you have any symptoms of a urinary tract infection, you must consult online doctors for UTI immediately. At TelMDCare, our professional online doctors can provide a thorough examination and acute care for UTI. We also offer online treatments for chronic conditions like high cholesterol, asthma, hypothyroidism, and more.

Book your virtual healthcare appointments or call us today to learn more about our services!