Women are more likely to develop urinary tract infections (UTIs) than men. This is because, in women, the urethra is located closer to the anus than in men, making it easier for bacteria from their anus to reach their urethra. The female urethra is also much shorter than the male urethra (which runs through the penis), making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
You are also more likely to develop a UTI if:
- you have a condition that obstructs or blocks your urinary tract, such as kidney stones
- you have a condition that prevents you from emptying your bladder fully
- you have a weakened immune system, for example, because you have diabetes, or you are undergoing chemotherapy
- you are female and sexually active (this is because sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra, allowing bacteria to travel more easily through it and into your bladder)
- you are male and have an enlarged prostate gland
- you have a urinary catheter (a tube that is inserted into your bladder to drain away urine)
