Urinary tract infections, also called UTIs, can cause a long list of symptoms, including everything from simple fatigue to pain and pressure in the lower abdomen. Unfortunately, women come down with UTIs more often than men do, leaving many people to wonder about this uncomfortable, frustrating condition. Here are three reasons urinary tract infections don’t affect both sexes equally.

Why Do Women Get UTIs More Than Men Do?

Hormonal Changes

Women experience a wide range of hormonal changes throughout their lives. In addition to menstruating once a month, women also go through pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, creating steep hormonal imbalances in the body that can increase their chances of developing a UTI. Although women can’t do much to prevent these imbalances, they can tighten up their hygiene regimen and avoid UTI-causing medications, such as strong antibiotics. 

Bath & Body Products 

Soaps, lotions, bath salts, and body powders can make you smell wonderful, but they can also change the pH of your skin and vaginal area, contributing to UTI development. Women who have problems with UTIs should use only the bath and body products recommended by their urologist. 

Sexual Intercourse

During sex, women can develop tiny micro-tears and small amounts of bruising around the vagina, allowing surface bacteria to seep into the area and contribute to urinary tract infections. However, your chances of developing a UTI are reduced if you urinate before and after sexual intercourse because it cleans bacteria out of the urethra. 

If you have a burning sensation when you urinate or pain in your lower abdomen, speak with Dr. Puschinsky at Medical Center Urology in High Point, NC. In addition to treating urinary tract infections, this experienced urologist can also help with Interstitial cystitis and kidney stones. For more information about the practice, visit them online or call (336) 882-0220 today.