The main cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) is bacteria. When bacteria enter the urinary tract, they can multiply and cause an infection. The most common type of bacteria that causes UTI is Escherichia coli (E. coli). Other bacteria that can cause UTI include Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
UTIs are usually caused by bacteria lingering in the urinary tract and multiplying. Bacteria can enter the urinary tract through the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Bacteria can also enter the urinary tract through the blood stream, and this is known as a secondary infection.
The most likely ways that bacteria enter the urinary tract are through sexual intercourse, wiping from back to front after using the bathroom, having a catheter, and having a weakened immune system. Women are more prone to UTIs because their urethra is shorter than men’s, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel up the tract.
It is also possible to develop a UTI without any identifiable risk factors. This type of UTI is known as idiopathic and is usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that normally live in the urinary tract. Antibiotics are usually used to treat UTIs, but lifestyle changes such as drinking plenty of water, urinating after sexual intercourse, and wiping from front to back can help to reduce the risk of developing a UTI.