Recurrent UTI
Recurrent urinary tract infections can happen when bacteria overcome the body’s natural defenses and cause repeat infections in the urinary tract.
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Understand Your Urinary Infection Risks
Frequent or repeat urinary tract infections
Infection involving the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys
Higher risk related to anatomy, sexual activity, some birth control methods, diabetes, urinary tract abnormalities, catheter use, or difficulty emptying the bladder
What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection in the urinary tract. Infections are caused by microbes, including fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs.
Normally, bacteria that enter the urinary tract are rapidly removed by the body before they cause symptoms. However, sometimes bacteria overcome the body’s natural defenses and cause infection. An infection in the urethra is called urethritis. A bladder infection is called cystitis. Bacteria may travel up the ureters and infect the kidneys, which is called pyelonephritis.
The urinary tract is the body’s drainage system for removing wastes and extra water. It includes two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra. The kidneys filter blood, removing wastes and extra water that become urine. Urine travels from the kidneys down the ureters, is stored in the bladder, and empties through the urethra.
Causes, Risk Factors, and Recurrent Infections
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that live in the bowel. The bacterium Escherichia coli, or E. coli, causes the vast majority of UTIs. Microbes called Chlamydia and Mycoplasma can infect the urethra and reproductive system but not the bladder. Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections may be sexually transmitted and require treatment of sexual partners.
The urinary tract has several systems to help prevent infection. The points where the ureters attach to the bladder act like one-way valves to prevent urine from backing up toward the kidneys, and urination washes microbes out of the body. Immune defenses also help prevent infection. Still, infections can occur, and certain bacteria have a strong ability to attach to the lining of the urinary tract.
Urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in the body, accounting for about 8.1 million visits to health care providers each year. Women are especially prone to UTIs for anatomical reasons. One factor is that a woman’s urethra is shorter, allowing bacteria quicker access to the bladder. A woman’s urethral opening is also near sources of bacteria from the anus and vagina. For women, the lifetime risk of having a UTI is greater than 50 percent.
Some people are more prone to UTIs than others. Risk factors include spinal cord injuries or other nerve damage around the bladder, difficulty emptying the bladder completely, urinary tract abnormalities that obstruct urine flow, kidney stones, enlarged prostate, diabetes, and problems with the body’s natural defense system. Sexual activity can also move microbes from the bowel or vaginal cavity to the urethral opening. Some forms of birth control, including certain spermicides, diaphragms, and condoms, may increase UTI risk.
Many women experience frequent UTIs. About 20 percent of young women with a first UTI will have a recurrent infection. With each UTI, the risk of continued recurrent UTIs increases. Some women have three or more UTIs a year, although very few have frequent infections throughout their lives. More typically, a woman may have one or two years with frequent infections, after which recurring infections stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UTI?
A UTI is an infection in the urinary tract. It may involve the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys.
What causes UTIs?
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that live in the bowel. E. coli causes the vast majority of UTIs.
How common are UTIs?
Urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in the body and account for about 8.1 million visits to health care providers each year.
Who is at risk for a UTI?
Some people are more prone to UTIs, including people with difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary tract abnormalities, kidney stones, diabetes, problems with the body’s natural defense system, catheter use, or certain risk factors related to sexual activity and birth control.
What are recurrent UTIs?
Recurrent UTIs are frequent repeat infections. About 20 percent of young women with a first UTI will have a recurrent infection, and some women have three or more UTIs a year.
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