Infection of any part of the urinary system, i.e. the kidneys, ureters (tubes that carry urine from kidney to bladder) and urinary bladder, is more common in women than men for multiple reasons.

Women have a short length of the urethra, the tube which expels urine from the bladder to the outside. The length of the genital parts is also short.  Due to this reason, bacteria or other infectious germs can easily enter the urethra from outside and infect the urinary system. 

During their menstrual cycles, women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections as blood provides a rich medium for bacteria to grow.

Dampness prevalent over the perineum due to the blood passing out continuously, also facilitates; entry, deposition and multiplication of germs.

Due to the above cited reasons, women are also more prone to develop sexually transmitted diseases. Once a lady has a sexually acquired disease, the chances of having urinary tract infection increase manifold .

Because of the close proximity of the pelvic and urinary organs, germs can easily pass on from one part to another. Increased acidity of the vaginal fluids as occurs due to use of antibiotics or oral contraceptives makes a woman prone to develop urinary tract infection.

Diabetic women like men have a high risk of developing urinary tract infections.  In fact, urinary tract infection and infections of the vulva and vagina happen to be the most common infections occurring in women due to uncontrolled diabetes.

Most of the infections occur due to a microbe called Escherichia coli. This lies dormant in the intestines of human beings and under suitable circumstances multiplies to cause infections.

Kleibsella, Proteus, e.t.c. are other microbes infecting the urinary tract.

Women are also more susceptible to urinary tract infections during pregnancy and child birth in this case, not only are they are affected; the infection can also contaminate the unborn or new born child.

An individual has the urge to pass urine more frequently if the urinary tract is infected. There is also an urgent desire to pass urine, which becomes inconvenient and at times embarrassing for women.

Because, in public places or when in office, they do not relish going to the toilette very frequently. Along with this, there is a sense of incomplete evacuation of the bladder.

That is after passing urine, one feels that the bladder is not empty and she has to go again.

Pain is associated with these infections. The pain may be felt in the flanks, radiate from the loin to groin or occur in lower back and or abdomen.

This depends on whether kidney, ureters or urinary bladder is infected. Infection can readily pass from one part of urinary system to another increasing severity of illness. As in all other infections, fever is often present.

Some women may have recurrent urinary tract infections.  One episode of infection if not treated adequately can become chronic causing persistent infection.

If the chronic infection affects pelvic parts there is risk of sterility and ectopic pregnancies in future. This occurs due to the fallopian tubes getting infected and blocked.

In case of pregnancy, urinary infection can lead of abortion or retarded fetal growth.

Drinking lots of water ensures that all infectious germs are passed out from body through greater quantity of urine passed. Maintaining good pelvic hygiene and keeping oneself dry during menstruation, prevents entry and growth of microbes during this period and thus minimizes risk of urinary tract infection.

Passing urine and washing the genitals immediately, after sexual intercourse is a good practice to prevent pelvic and urinary tract infections.

Diagnosis is based on microscopic examination of the urine to detect germs.  Ideally the urine sample used for detecting infection should be the first urine one passes after sleep in the morning.

The microbes tend to get concentrated in this urine; hence more reliable results are obtained.  Culture of the urine sample when done shows the causative germs and the antibiotic which can eradicate the germs.

Every woman should be aware of urinary tract infection, because it is a preventable illness. But if occurs, it can cause suffering and complications.

Pande is a specialist internal medicine-Ruhengeri Hospital
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