Why Do I Keep Getting Urinary Tract Infections?

A single urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause pelvic pain and frequent, uncomfortable urination for days or weeks before it resolves. Antibiotics are the most effective treatment and can get rid of the bacterial infection altogether. But when UTIs happen frequently, you might need to take additional steps to handle them.

At Tahoe Women’s Care in Carson City, Nevada, our compassionate women’s health provider, Gary Willen, MD, treats recurrent urinary tract infections in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Dr. Willen can help you manage the infections and find strategies to prevent them.

Recognizing UTIs

Urinary tract infections can be both uncomfortable and inconvenient, forcing you to go to the restroom frequently for relief. The specific symptoms you experience depend on the infection’s location along the urinary tract, which stretches from your urethra to your bladder, ureters, and kidneys.

Mild to moderate UTIs can cause:

Cloudy urine
Foul-smelling urine
Blood in your urine
The urge to urinate often
Burning or discomfort while urinating
Pelvic cramps or cramps in your lower back

Untreated, a UTI can spread to your kidneys and become much more dangerous. Get medical help right away if your UTI causes a fever above 101 degrees, mental changes or confusion, nausea, or severe pain in your side, groin, or back.

Are your UTIs considered recurrent?

Over half of women will experience a UTI at some point in life, and likely more than one. UTIs are considered recurrent when you experience two or more episodes in a six-month span or three episodes within a year.

Risk factors for recurrent UTIs

Your risk factors for recurrent UTIs can change as you age. When you reach menopause, the number of “good” bacteria in your vagina naturally declines. Additionally, the changes of menopause cause your bladder to make weaker contractions so it’s harder to fully empty it. These changes can set the stage for frequent UTIs.

You might also be at a higher risk for recurrent UTIs if you:

Had your first UTI before age 16
Have frequent sexual intercourse
Have new or multiple sexual partners
Experience urinary incontinence
Have diabetes
Don’t drink enough water
Use spermicide-coated condoms
Have chronic diarrhea

It’s important to note that getting frequent UTIs isn’t necessarily a sign of poor hygiene, but poor hygiene “down there” is a risk factor for UTIs. Always wipe from front to back, wash your hands before wiping your vaginal area, and use a gentle soap while washing your vaginal area.