Urinary tract infections are a common problem that can painful and annoying. Learning the causes of urinary tract infection can help allow you to prevent them.

Urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs, are very common. By definition, a urinary tract infection is an infection that occurs anywhere within the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. An infection may occur anywhere within the system, but they are most common in the lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and the urethra.

When the infection remains in this region, it typically will cause pain and discomfort but will not cause serious complications. If the infection moves to the kidneys, however, more severe problems can occur. Both men and women can develop urinary tract infections, but women are at a much higher risk for developing one. Most urinary tract infections are minor, and they can be treated with antibiotics. To avoid more serious problems, it is important to see a doctor right away as soon as you start experience symptoms of a UTI. In addition, knowing the causes of urinary tract infection can help you to prevent developing one.

The most common urinary tract infections are those that affect the bladder or urethra of a woman. A bladder infection is usually caused by Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli. This bacteria is commonly present in the gastrointestinal tract. In many cases, sexual intercourse can lead to this type of infection, but all women are at risk because of the close proximity of the anus to the urethral opening. From there, the bacteria can quickly make the short trip to the bladder. Infections in the urethra, also known as urethritis, can also occur when gastrointestinal bacteria makes its way from the anus to the urethra. Sexually transmitted diseases may also cause urinary tract infections. In many cases, women experience UTIs as a result of sexual intercourse, but they can also be caused by poor hygiene or by wiping from back to front. In many cases, UTIs can actually be prevented by simply urinating immediately after sex and by always wiping from front to back. Doing so can help to prevent bacteria in the anus from entering the urethral opening or the vagina. Seeing your doctor at the first sign of a urinary tract infection can help to prevent a minor infection from becoming a major problem.