UTIs are one of the most common types of bacterial infection seen by healthcare professionals. They occur when ‘bad’ bacteria, most commonly E. coli, cause an infection in the urinary tract. Infection can occur in the kidneys, or lower down the urinary tract (bladder). Bladder infections are also called cystitis.
Women are susceptible to cystitis as their urethra is only 4 cm long, an easy distance for ‘bad’ bacteria to travel to reach the bladder. They travel from the rectum, ascending via the urethra into the bladder.
For more information on prevention of cystitis read our Cystitis Health Topic
The ‘bad’ bacteria are always present in the genitourinary area but can cause infections like UTI when one or more of the following occur:
Pregnancy may also be a time of increased infection as it relaxes and changes the position of the urethra.
Probiotics are defined as live micro-organisms or ‘good’ bugs which when taken by the host confer a health benefit. Live bacteria are naturally found not only in the gut but also in the genitourinary tract. Studies are looking at the protective role that oral and topical probiotics may play in the prevention of UTI.
Specific strains of bacteria most frequently found in the genitourinary system are thought to prevent infections by:
Researchers are looking at women who suffer from UTI and believe that more ‘good’ bacteria in the genitourinary area may lead to fewer UTIs.
It is thought that when low numbers of ‘good’ bugs are found in this area, ‘bad bugs’ may be more able to ascend more freely from the colon/rectum and colonise the urethra and bladder.
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