They can develop without warning, seemingly without rhyme or reason. Or they can follow a definite pattern - mimicking a menstrual cycle, occurring after sex, or for some women, every time they get a gynecological exam.
The problem is UTIs - short for urinary tract infections, a problem affecting upwards off 26 million women every year, many between the ages of 18 and 35. And while men can develop\] these infections as well, women, it seems, are up to 25 times more likely to be affected. One reason, say experts, has to do with our basic anatomy. In short, a woman's body makes it far easier for bacteria to invade the urinary tract and cause problems.
Indeed, the female urethra - the tube that carries urine out of the body ( see diagram)- is only a scant 1 inch long, making it relatively easy for any bacteria in the V zone to find it's way to the urinary tract.
But where does that bacteria come from to begin with?
You may be surprised to learn that most of the time it's right from your own body! Indeed, while there are a number of micro-organisms capable of causing a UTI, ( including enterobacteria, pseudomonas, and staphylococcus), most infections are the result of the E. coli bacteria, which is found naturally in the digestive tract, in stool, around the anus and on the skin between the anus and the vagina. When, due to any number of situations ( and we'll get specific in a minute ) E coli - or any bacteria - make their way inside the urethra, they adhere to the cell wall and begin to multiply. In not too long a time they begin to travel through the short tubing to the bladder, where they attach to the lining and cause an irritation. This, in turn, causes the bladder to begin contracting as if trying to push the unwanted bacteria from it's cell walls. It is actually these contractions which trigger the urgent need to urinate which often accompanies a UTI. This same bacteria also irritates the urethra, so much so that when it comes in contact with the normal acid found in urine, an intense burning sensation ( called dysuria ) can occur.
Regardless of the type of bacteria causing your UTI, your infection will normally fall into one of three categories. According to the National Bladder Foundation ( NBF) they are :
* Urethritis - an infection of the urethra usually causing pain and burning during urination.
* Cystitis - an infection in the bladder which, in addition to pain and burning also causes frequent urination, and the urgent need to urinate with little passage of actual urine. ( Often, urethritis and cystitis occur together)
* Pyelonephritis - a kidney infection which, while less common that the two other forms of UTIs, can be more serious.In addition to symptoms mentioned above, you may also experience fever, chills, backache, bloody or cloudy urine, nausea and vomiting.
In addition, the NBF suggests many women who experience any type of UTI often feel " bad all over " - tired, shaky, washed out, and generally achy. There can also be pain in and around the pubic bone area, even when not urinating, and occasionally, leaking urine which may have a slightly foul odor.
