UTI or urinary tract infection is caused by microbes, such as bacteria associated with the body’s defenses in the urinary tract. These bacteria can damage the bladder, kidney, as well as the underlying tubes between them. UTI is one of the most prevalent kinds of infection. But if you want to know what causes UTI, read on.

1. Sex
Most women tend to get UTI after sexual intercourse because the motion during intercourse can result in the transfer of bacteria from the vaginal cavity or the bowel into the urethra. To lower the risk of developing UTI following a sexual encounter, you should pee within 30 minutes of sexual activity. Generally, washing up after sex is not a harmful activity. However, refrain from using too many soap products. Further studies suggest that the use of spermicides and diaphragms can heighten your risk of developing UTI.  

2. Abnormal anatomy
The risk of developing a UTI is more if the urinary tract is abnormal or if you recently had a device installed in the tract. The device may be a tube that drains the fluid from the body. More so, if you cannot pee normally because of some blockage, your risk of developing a UTI is more. 

Further, the anatomical abnormalities found in the urinary tract may also cause UTI. These abnormalities are usually present in children right from an early age. However, these may be present in adults too. Abnormalities may be structural, like diverticula that harbor the bacteria in the urethra or the bladder, or even the blockages, like the enlarged bladder that prevents the body from releasing whole of the urine from the bladder. 

3. Menopause
UTI is prevalent in women following menopause. It is because the estrogen production is low then, and this can make vaginal pH changes. It may hamper the bacteria and yeast balance in the vagina and aggravate your risk of developing the infection. Also, post-menopausal women with thinning vaginal walls are at a greater risk of developing UTI. 

4. Immune system
Diseases such as high blood sugar levels or diabetes also aggravate the risk of UTI in some people as you are unable to ward off germs. 

5. Constipation
Your poop or inability to poop may also be one of the critical causes of UTI. When you are constipated, it is hard for you to empty your bladder. This means that the trapped bacteria have substantial time to thrive and cause UTI. Additionally, fecal incontinence and diarrhea may also put you at risk of developing UTI. It is because the bacteria from the loose stool can make their way into the urethra or vagina. So, what can you do to prevent it? After you go to the bathroom, wipe from the front to the back. This can help in preventing bacteria transfer. 

Now, you’re, more or less, aware of the factors that cause UTI.