Urinary infections are normally caused by changes in the balance of the microbiota in the genital region, favoring the development of microorganisms and leading to the appearance of signs and symptoms, such as pain and burning when urinating, frequent urge to urinate, but in small quantities and cloudy urine.
The microbiota corresponds to the set of microorganisms naturally present in the body and its balance can be interfered by some simple factors, such as incorrect intimate hygiene, holding pee for a long time, excess urine in the bladder and drinking little water during the day, for example. Find out more about urinary tract infections, their symptoms and why they happen.
This infection often goes unnoticed and the body can fight it naturally, but when symptoms of pain or burning when urinating appear, for example, it is necessary to see a general practitioner or urologist and start appropriate treatment, which can usually be done with antibiotics. .
Watch the following video and learn more about the causes of urinary tract infections:
5 causes of urinary tract infection
The main causes of urinary tract infections include:
1. Holding your pee for too long
In addition to allowing you to eliminate excess fluids and toxins from the body, urine helps clean the walls of the urethra and bladder, eliminating bacteria that may be reaching the bladder. Therefore, holding pee prevents this natural cleaning process from happening, facilitating the development of bacteria.
Furthermore, when a lot of urine accumulates, the bladder becomes more dilated and is unable to contract completely when you finally use the bathroom. When this happens, some urine may still remain inside the bladder, increasing the risk of microorganisms growing and developing infection.
2. Performing intimate hygiene incorrectly
One of the places that has the most bacteria capable of causing a urinary infection is the intestine, which is why, to clean the intimate area, you should always pass the toilet paper from front to back, avoiding bringing bacteria that are in the butt area, especially after use the bathroom. It is important to highlight that the ideal is to wash the area instead of using toilet paper. See 5 other rules for maintaining intimate hygiene and avoiding illnesses.
Although this is one of the biggest causes of urinary tract infections in women, it can also happen to men, especially during the shower, when the buttocks area is first washed before the penis, for example.
3. Drinking little water during the day
In the same way that holding pee for a long time can facilitate the development of fungi and bacteria in the urethra and bladder, drinking little water during the day can also have the same effect. This happens because the body stops producing enough urine to use the bathroom several times during the day, allowing microorganisms that would be eliminated in the urine to continue to rise to the bladder.
Therefore, it is recommended that you drink at least around 2 liters of water per day to keep your urinary system healthy.
4. Using pads for a long time
Tampons, like panty liners, are a great way to maintain hygiene during your period. However, when they become dirty, they facilitate the development of bacteria that can reach the urinary system, causing urinary infections.
To avoid this problem, the absorbent or protector must be replaced frequently, preferably every 4 hours or when they are already dirty, washing the area before changing.
5. Having kidney stones
People with kidney stones usually have frequent bouts of urinary tract infections, as the presence of stones can make the urinary tract more blocked and, therefore, the urine cannot be completely eliminated. When this happens, bacteria that may be growing in the urine inside the bladder have more time to develop and cause an infection. Additionally, there are stones that are charged by bacteria as well.
In these cases, the most important step is to try to prevent the emergence of new stones and try to eliminate those that already exist. Discover some natural alternatives for kidney stones.
Who is most at risk of urinary tract infection
In addition to the main causes, there are also some factors that increase the risk of having a urinary infection, which include:
- Bladder problems that prevent it from emptying properly;
- Use of a catheter to urinate;
- Infection in the bloodstream;
- Weakened immune system, such as during cancer treatment or illnesses such as AIDS;
- Anatomical alteration of the urinary tract.
Furthermore, women are more likely to develop urinary infections because the urethra, the channel through which urine comes out, is shorter and closer to the anus than in men, which makes it easier for bacteria to colonize from one place to another, especially due to incorrect intimate hygiene.
Furthermore, women are also at greater risk when they are pregnant or when using a diaphragm as a contraceptive method, condoms with spermicide and during intimate relationships in general, as they facilitate contamination from microorganisms from the partner. Another important cause of urinary tract infection is intestinal constipation, where feces tend to remain in the rectal ampulla for longer, increasing the proliferation of intestinal bacteria, especially Escherichia coli.
In the case of men, urinary infections are more common when there are prostate growth problems, as it puts pressure on the bladder and prevents the complete elimination of urine.
Is urinary tract infection contagious?
Urinary tract infections are not contagious and therefore there is no way for one person to pass it on to another, either by using public bathrooms or during sexual intercourse. However, sexual intercourse can facilitate its development, especially when there is contact with the latex of condoms, spermicides or sex toys that can alter the vaginal flora, making the bacteria that cause urinary infections multiply more easily.
What can cause frequent urinary tract infections?
Certain women are predisposed to having frequent episodes of urinary tract infections. Even if they take all precautions, avoiding going more than 3 hours without drinking liquids, cleaning themselves properly and keeping the genital area always clean and dry, they can have more than 3 urinary infections in the same year.
The main explanation for this fact is the anatomical issue, because the closer your urethra is to the anus, the greater the chances of bacteria from the perianal region reaching the urethra and causing infection in the urinary tract.
In addition, diabetic, constipated and menopausal women are also at greater risk of having a urinary tract infection, so adopting a low-carbohydrate diet is also an excellent strategy to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract, thus preventing the recurrence of the infection. urinary.
Here are some tips on how to eat on a daily basis to avoid infections:
