What are UTIs?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections of any part of your urinary system (bladder, kidneys, ureters, urethra), but most often involving the bladder and urethra. Although both sexes are vulnerable to UTIs, women are at greater risk than men.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can include:
- the persistent urge to urinate,
- burning while urinating
- frequent and small amounts of urine
- cloudy urine
- pungent urine
- pelvic pain (for women).
How Serious are UTIs?
Infections limited to the bladder and urethra can be painful, but serious health issues can follow if the infection spreads to the kidneys, so it’s important to catch urinary infections as early as possible.
Other Facts
- Women are about four times more likely to get UTIs than men.
- About 20% of women who have had a UTI will have another one, and some women can have three or more in one year.
- Men who’ve had UTIs are also more likely to have another.
- UTIs can often be prevented through changes in diet, nutrition, and water intake. Other influencing factors include bathroom hygiene, clothing, and the use of different types of birth control.
