Some factors that can facilitate the spread of germs into the urinary tract include:
- Urinary catheter use: If you are dependent on a urinary catheter for any health reasons, you are at an increased risk for the spread of germs and resulting UTIs. Proper care of the catheter and careful hygiene practices can decrease this risk. Speak with your health care professional for guidance on how to minimize exposure to germs with the use of a catheter.
- Personal care habits: Practices such as wiping with toilet paper from back to front after having a bowel movement can push germs into the urethra and cause a UTI.
- Sexual intercourse: During intercourse, germs can be spread from the vagina to the urethra and can cause an infection.
- Holding urine: It is important to urinate frequently and soon after the urge first occurs. Urine held in the bladder too long can allow the creation of germs in the urinary tract.
- Use of a diaphragm or spermicides for birth control: The use of external birth control methods inserted into the vagina can exacerbate the spread of germs into the urinary tract, causing a UTI.
Signs that it’s a UTI
If you are suffering from a bladder infection, you’ll likely experience some of the following signs. These signs should never be ignored and should be reported to your health care provider so you can be sure to receive treatment before the infection can spread to the kidneys.