Why women are more prone to UTI than men?

Anyone who’s had a UTI (urinary tract infection) knows how inconvenient it can be. Imagine always having a strong, frequent urge to urinate and a painful and burning sensation when urinating. These are the most common symptoms of UTI.

UTI is on the rise among women, especially the expectant ones.

One in five women will get a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

What exactly is UTI?

Speaking to Your Health Dr Emmanuel Mduma, a medical doctor based at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC), explains that UTI is mainly caused by bacteria and fungus infection that attack the urinary system.

“UTI is most commonly caused by gram-negative aerobic bacteria, the most common one being Escherichia colia also Klebsiela and rarely it can be caused by gram-positive bacteria like group B and D streptococcus,” explains Dr Mduma .

Why are women more prone to UTI than men?

According to Dr Kitapondya Deus, Resident at Muhimbili University of health and Allied sciences (MUHAS), the factors that put women at risk can be physiological, anatomical, immune status or genetic.

“One among the several reasons is the proximity between the female genital organ [vagina] and rectum/anus, which put women more at risk of infections than men in the reproductive tract and urethra including bladder,” says Dr Deus.

In addition Dr Mduma explains that shorter distance between the women urethra and bladder makes them more prone to UTI.

“The distance between the urethra and bladder in women ranges between 4.8 to 5.1 centimetres while that for men ranges between 16 to 20 centimetres, this means it is easy for bacteria to travel to the bladder in women than in men,” Dr Mduma adds.

Dr Mduma further explains on the issue of menopause. He says that during menopause, the oestrogen level drops due to changes in hormones. This causes the female reproductive system to become prone to bacteria due to decrease in immunity.

Another cause according to Dr Mduma is the use of intra uterine birth control device (IUD). This happens when the IUD becomes infected and this can lead to UTI in women.

“Sexually active women tends to be more prone to UTIs than women who aren’t sexually active and especially those who do practice safe sex. This is because sometimes bacteria that is in or near the vaginal opening can enter into the urethra during penetration or bacteria from the penis can also enter the urinary tract,” explains Dr Mduma.

UTI in pregnant women

Women who are pregnant are more prone to UTI that’s because the growing foetus puts pressure on the bladder and urinary tract blocking urine drainage.

This makes the expectant mother to retain urine for a long time making the bacteria causing UTI to survive for a long period in the bladder.

“As early as six weeks of gestation, almost all pregnant women experience ureteral dilation, when the urethra expands and continues to expand until delivery. The large urinary tract, along with increased bladder volume and decreased bladder tone, all causes the urine to become more still in the urethra. This allows bacteria to grow,” states Dr Mduma.

He adds; hormonal changes during pregnancy makes women more prone to UTI because of increase in oestrogen level.

Symptoms

According to Dr Mduma, the major common symptoms for UTI are painful urination, frequent urination, lower abdominal pain and discomfort, sensation of bladder fullness and fever.

Precaution and measures

Women especially those who are pregnant, Dr Mduma advises that they should drink plenty of water, at least three litres. This will help dilute the urine making bacteria not to have food to survive, which in return makes it impossible for them to multiply.

Also women should wipe themselves from the front to the back this is to avoid transmitting bacteria from the back to the front.

“Personal hygiene when visiting the toilet should be observed, including women who are sexually active should consider the practice of safe sex,” he adds.

Adding on this, Dr Deus warns women on the use of antibiotics, and cautions them to have a proper consultation. “Indiscriminate use of antibiotics may predispose to resistance of the bacteria,” he says.

Others who are at risk of UTI

People who have low immunity, such as those with HIV, are also prone to UTI and should ensure that their CD4 count [a snapshot of how well your immune system is functioning] does not drop.

Diabetics need to be watchful too and maintain a good personal hygiene. They too are prone to developing UTI easily and hence they should ensure that their sugar level is controlled.

Children under the age of 5 according to Dr Mduma are also prone to UTI.