Urinary Tract Infection - Symptoms

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Menopause. The risk for UTIs, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, is highest in women after menopause. This is primarily due to decrease in estrogen, which thins the walls of the urinary tract and reduces its ability to resist bacteria. Estrogen loss can also reduce certain immune factors in the vagina that help block E. coli from adhering to vaginal cells.

Other aging-related urinary conditions, such as urinary incontinence, can increase the risk for recurrent urinary tract infections.

Allergies. Women who have skin allergies to ingredients in soaps, vaginal creams, bubble baths, or other chemicals that are used in the genital area are at increased risk for UTIs. In such cases, the allergies may cause small injuries that can introduce bacteria.

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Antibiotic Use. Antibiotics often eliminate lactobacilli, the protective bacteria, along with harmful bacteria. This can cause an overgrowth of E. coli in the vagina.

Specific Risk Factors in Men

Men become more susceptible to UTIs after 50 years of age, when they begin to develop prostate problems. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), enlargement of the prostate gland, can produce obstruction in the urinary tract and increase the risk for infection. In men, recurrent urinary tract infections are also associated with prostatitis, an infection of the prostate gland. Although only about 20% of UTIs occur in men, these infections can cause more serious problems than they do in women. Men with UTIs are far more likely to be hospitalized than women. [For more information, see In-Depth Report #71: Benign prostatic hyperplasia.]

Specific Risk Factors in Children

Each year, about 3% of American children develop urinary tract infections. During the first few months of life, UTIs are more common in boys than in girls. Boys who are uncircumcised are about 10 - 12 times more likely than circumcised boys to develop UTIs by the time they are 1 year old. After the age of 2 years, UTIs are far more common in girls. Throughout childhood, the risk of UTIs is about 2% for boys and 8% for girls. As with adults, E. coli is the most common cause of UTIs in children.

Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR). Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) affects about 10% of all children and is the cause of up to 50% of urinary tract infections during childhood. VUR also puts children at risk for UTI recurrence.