Cystitis
Cystitis, or infection of the bladder, can be caused by bacteria found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract traveling through the urethra into the bladder.
Due to the length of the female urethra and the urethral opening proximity to the anus, bacteria can easily enter the female urethra and get into the bladder.
E.coli, a type of bacteria commonly found in the GI tract, commonly causes cystitis UTIs.
Sexual intercourse may also cause cystitis, but you do not need to be sexually active in order to develop a cystitis UTI.
Urethritis
Urethritis, or infection of the urethra, like cystitis, can be caused by GI bacteria spreading from the anus to the urethra. Sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma, can also cause urethritis.
For women, urethritis can easily occur since the female urethra is shorter and the urethral opening is very close to the vagina. Men are also susceptible to urethritis through sexual contact.
More commonly for catheter users, UTIs are caused by the introduction of a catheter to the urinary system. Unassisted, the urinary system is sterile with most of the bacteria living in the opening of the urethra due to proximity to the outside of the body. When urine flows unassisted, this flushes out bacteria that may be working its way to the bladder which helps reduce the risk of infection. For users who need to utilize a catheter, there is a risk of bacteria being pushed further up the urethra and into the bladder potentially increasing the risk of UTI.
We know the importance of urethral health. Learn more about how Convatec Continence Care technologies work and how choosing the right catheter could impact your urethral health.