Risk factors that you can control include:

Hygiene. After using the bathroom, women should always wipe themselves from front to
back. The most common cause of a UTI is growth of bacteria in the urinary tract,
usually Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the area around the
rectum.
Not drinking enough fluids. Drinking more fluids causes a person to urinate more frequently,
reducing the levels of bacteria in the urinary tract and bladder.
Sexual activity. Urination after sexual intercourse decreases the risk of urinary tract
infections in women.
Use of a contraceptive diaphragm, which may cause increased risk of UTIs.
Use of a spermicide. Studies have shown that a woman may be 3 times more likely to get a
UTI if her sex partner uses a condom coated with a spermicide.
Use of feminine hygiene sprays or frequent douching.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
Last Revised May 13, 2013
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated: May 13, 2013
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for
the decisions you make based on this information.
1995-2014 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the
Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

How Can I Prevent Urinary Tract Infections?
Women should urinate right after sexual intercourse.
Women should wipe from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement.
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Drink cranberry juice or any citrus juice.
Use a form of contraception other than a diaphragm and/or spermicidal jelly.
Women should use vaginal estrogen cream if they are past menopause.
Women should avoid bubble baths, which do not cause infections but can irritate the urinary tract.
In rare cases, antibiotics may be used for prevention. For example, women who consistently develop
urinary tract infections after intercourse may be advised to take a single dose of antibiotics after sex.
Reviewed by Trina Pagano, MD on March 25, 2014
2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Risk factors in women
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are most common in young to middle-aged sexually active
women. Things that increase a woman's risk of getting UTIs include:
Sexual activity, which pushes bacteria into the urethra. Sexual activity with the use of a
diaphragm and spermicide raises the risk.
Pregnancy.
Previous UTIs.
Lack of estrogen, which allows bacteria that can cause UTIs to grow more easily in
the vagina or urethra. Women who have gone through menopause are at increased risk for
UTIs.
Risk factors in men
Things that increase a man's risk of UTIs include:
Problems with the prostate gland . Men become increasingly prone to UTIs as they get
older because of prostate problems, such as enlarged prostate(benign prostatic hyperplasia)
and prostatitis.
An uncircumcised penis.
Anal intercourse.
Unprotected sex with a woman who has a vaginal infection.
HIV infection.
Risk factors in both women and men
Certain risk factors apply to both women and men. These include:
Having a catheter in place. Bacteria can enter the catheter and start an infection. Most at risk
are older adults who are in hospitals or who live in long-term care facilities.
Kidney stones and other obstructions in the urinary tract. These may block the flow of urine,
raising the risk of bacterial infection.
Diabetes. People with diabetes are at greater risk for UTIs because their immune systems
are weakened. Also, long-term high blood sugar can damage the kidneys' filtering system
(diabetic nephropathy).
Structural problems of the urinary tract. These may be present at birth or develop later in life.