UTI risk zones: the 3 times in a woman’s life when prevention matters most
From puberty to perimenopause and beyond, female bodies are constantly changing. This means our chances of facing the pain and disruption of a urinary tract infection are always changing, too.
Studies point to 3 stages in a woman’s life when she’s most likely to develop a UTI. Knowing more about these “risk zones” can help you set a prevention strategy that’s good for life.
Risk Zone #1: When women become sexually active
For many of us, that first painful bout of cystitis will show up when we start having sex. This is because sex gives uropathogens – the organisms that cause UTIs – an even easier way to get inside our urinary systems.
These infection-causing agents can easily move from our partner’s sex organs, fingers or mouth to the urethral opening, which is right next to the vagina. From there, it’s a very short trip to the bladder, where an infection can quickly take root. (By the way, sex toys can move uropathogens inside, too, so even solo sex can affect UTI risks.)
Sexually active women of all ages should follow these prevention basics:
Pee before AND after sex
Drink lots of water to help cleanse your system 24/7
Eat and drink to build your infection resistance
If you’re using birth control, consider using a method that doesn’t require you to insert anything by hand (studies show that diaphragm and spermicide users experience more UTIs)
Get even more tips on sex and UTI prevention here.
Risk Zone #2: How pregnancy brings on new UTI causes
Not every woman will experience pregnancy in her lifetime, but those who do will face a different set of challenges in preventing UTIs.
When you’re pregnant, hormonal shifts will affect the urinary microbiome (the community of healthy, infection-fighting microbes inside your body).
Hormonal changes can also cause some of your pee to flow back up into your kidneys, where it can trigger infection. (This pattern is called vesicoureteral reflux.)
When you’re carrying a child, your urine has more sugar, protein, and hormones in it – creating a perfect climate for infection.
Your growing uterus presses on your bladder, making it hard for you to let out all the urine. Any leftover pee can cause a UTI.
To fight back, double down on your healthy habits during pregnancy. Drink loads of plain water, skipping any sugary drinks that can make risks worse. Cleanse your genital area with plain water to protect your infection-fighting microbiome. As much as possible, don’t hold your pee in! Emptying your bladder as soon as you feel the urge will help keep your system healthy.
Risk Zone #3: Menopause and beyond
Women in their 40s and early 50s experience fewer bladder infections, but as we move toward menopause and the natural changes it brings, our chances of experiencing UTIs change again. More than 10% of women aged 65 and older report having a UTI within the past 12 months – and that number climbs to 30% in women who are 85+. Why?
As you age, your vaginal tissue naturally thins and dries out. Because vaginal health is so closely related to urinary health, you become more vulnerable to infection.
A gradual decline in estrogen levels also changes vaginal pH, which can allow infection-causing organisms to grow more readily.
Knowing that menopause is a crucial time for women’s health, we sat down with a female urogynecologist to learn more. Here are the healthy insights she shared with us.
We’ve got more UTI-fighting tips for you
Want to know more about your changing body and urinary health? Look around the MyUTI website for more insights and tips that can help you live UTI-free at every stage of your life.
