Introduction
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary tract. Initially, only the urethra can be affected, then the infection can spread to the bladder and via the ureters to the kidneys. The causes are very diverse, but differ between the sexes due to the different anatomical conditions.
Causes
The following are the most common triggers of a urinary tract infection: contamination with intestinal bacteria (enterobacteria, enterococci, staphylococci) foreign material, bladder catheters, bladder stones sexual intercourse lack of hygiene anatomical changes prostate enlargement in men short urethra especially in women diabetes mellitus (blood sugar disease)
- Contamination with intestinal bacteria (enterobacteria, enterococci, staphylococci)
- Foreign material, bladder catheters, bladder stones
- Intercourse
- Lack of hygiene
- Anatomical changes Prostate enlargement in men Short urethra especially in women
- Prostate enlargement in men
- Short urethra especially in women
- Diabetes mellitus (blood sugar disease)
- Prostate enlargement in men
- Short urethra especially in women
Typical causes in women
Women, unlike men, are much more susceptible to urinary tract infections and cystitis. This is mainly due to the fact that the urethra of women is much shorter than that of men. In women, the length of the urethra is about three to five centimeters.
This is a very short distance that the bacteria must overcome before they have settled in the bladder. In women, the anatomical proximity between the exit of the urinary tract and the intestinal outlet also plays a role in the development of urinary tract infections. Thus, carelessness in hygiene can quickly lead to the transfer of intestinal bacteria into the vaginal area.
As with men, other causes such as prolonged bladder catheters also play a role. Diabetes mellitus is also a typical cause of cystitis. Bladder infections can also be caused by sexual intercourse in sexually transmitted diseases.
Especially in the last phase, pregnancy is accompanied by many changes in the genital tract and thus also in the urinary tract. Typically, the urinary tract is somewhat affected by these changes. For example, urination can be impaired, so that the bladder cannot be emptied completely, which can lead to the development of urinary tract infections.
The muscles of the pelvic floor also become softer, which can lead to a leakage of the urethra. This not only creates the problem of unintentional urine leakage, but also allows bacteria to enter the bladder more easily via the urethra. Hormonal changes during pregnancy also alter the local composition of body fluids, such as the vaginal pH value. This is normally slightly acidic, so that unwanted bacteria cannot multiply. However, during pregnancy the pH value can become unbalanced, which can cause urinary tract infections caused by bacteria to occur more quickly.
