Women are 50% more likely to experience urinary tract discomfort

Apologies ladies but the lifetime risk of you experiencing urinary tract discomfort is more than 50% and you are more likely to experience urinary discomfort if you have suffered from it previously^4a.

You heard the instruction ‘always wipe from the front to the back after using the loo’. There is a good reason for doing so ladies.

Your bottom and the opening of the urethra are close to each other so there is always a risk that bacteria can get from your bottom into your urethra^1c.

Take a look at your urinary tract system:

Men are at lower risk than women, given that bacteria need to travel further up, as men have longer urethras (the duct that leads to the bladder)

Urinary tract discomfort is more common in older than younger men

Urinary tract discomfort is more common in older men due to^15c:

• Being less mobile^15b.
• Being more likely to develop noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland which can choke the neck of the bladder and make it harder for urine to flow freely. When the bladder does not empty completely bacteria that are normally flushed out might gain a foot hold^15c.

Genetics influence the shape of your urinary tract

Some ladies may be more prone to urinary tract discomfort because of the shape of their urinary tract.

For the following reasons:

• hormones cause changes in the urinary tract, and
• your growing uterus presses on your bladder and makes it difficult to let out all the urine. Leftover urine in your bladder can lead to urinary tract discomfort⁷.

Post-Menopausal women are at risk of experiencing urinary tract discomfort more often

After menopause, a decline in circulating oestrogen causes changes in the urinary tract and can make you more vulnerable to urinary tract discomfort^2c.

Constipation often causes urinary tract discomfort in children

When the rectum is filled with stools it can place pressure on or even block the bladder so that it can’t empty properly. Urine left in the bladder can lead to bacterial growth that can lead to discomfort^10b,c.

Sexual intercourse is one of the most common ways that bacteria can be introduced into your urinary tract

A steamy night with your partner could end up as a painful session in the loo the next day. Sexual intercourse is one of the most common ways that bacteria can be introduced into your urinary tract^1d.

High amounts of friction and certain positions (such as the woman on top) may promote urinary tract discomfort^4d.

Having a new sexual partner can also increase your risk^2b.

Flavoured condoms and lubricants are also a no-no as they are infused with sugars that promote bacterial growth and flavourings that cause irritation^5c.

Teenagers

Sexual activity poses a major risk for teens of both sexes, which explains why urinary tract discomfort is so common during adolescence. Sexually active adolescent girls are at the most risk for urinary tract discomfort^12b. Teen girls experience urinary tract discomfort for the same reasons that adult women do^12a.

Certain types of birth control may put you at risk:

Diaphragms and cervical caps can put pressure on your urethra, making it harder to completely empty your bladder. When urine stays in the bladder, the risk of bacteria growth increases.

Spermicide and spermicide condoms can disrupt the natural balance of good bacteria and cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria^3e.

Non lubricated condoms can also irritate your urinary tract¹ⁱ.

Women with diabetes may be at higher risk of urinary tract discomfort because of a weakened immune system^1k.

Urinary tract discomfort is 69% more common in older people as mobility decreases

This is for a number of reasons:

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