A behind the scenes look of some common reasons you may be experiencing recurrent UTIs.

Recurrent urinary tract infections are frustrating for patients, especially when they don’t understand why they keep happening. 

To answer the question of “why do I keep getting urinary tract infections” there are several reasons including:

• Pelvic floor muscle tightness

• Lack of estrogen to the vulvar tissue making it more prone to dryness and infection

• Improper lubricant use: Avoid lubricants with glycerin 

• Ensuring proper feminine hygiene habits to protect the vaginal microbiome

“Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections?”: Pelvic floor muscle tightness.

First, we need to confirm that they are actual urinary tract infections. Make sure that you have urine cultures taken every time you have symptoms of a UTI. This is important because pelvic floor muscle tightness can mimic the sensation of a UTI. In other words, you can think that you have a urinary tract infection, but in actuality you have tightness in the muscles that sit in your pelvic floor. 

In addition, the friction that is associated with vaginal intercourse can cause recurrent UTIs due to irritation to the back of the urethra. If your pelvic floor muscles are tight, this will limit the flexibility of the urethra and vaginal canal and can be one of the reasons you are getting recurrent urinary tract infections.

“Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections?”: Lack of vaginal estrogen.

If you are perimenopausal, postpartum, or are currently breast feeding your body is in a low estrogen state. A decrease in estrogen can be affecting the vulvar tissue, making it more dry, and cracked and thus prone to infections. 

“Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections?”: Improper use of lubricant.

Using improper personal lubricant could be another reason why you keep getting urinary tract infections. Make sure that you stick to a water based lubricant and avoid any lubricant that has glycerin as an ingredient. Glycerin is a form of sugar, and bacteria love sugar, so steer clear of anything that has it!

“Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections?”: Feminine Hygiene habits.

Basic hygiene principles like ensuring that you are wiping front to back, Wiping front to back ensures that no bacteria from stool is introduced into the urinary tract. Avoiding douching, feminine hygiene wipes, and washing with harsh soaps will ensure that you are not stripping the vaginal microbiome which serves as a protective nature against foreign bacteria that is introduced.

The vaginal microbiome is a protective layer of bacteria that keeps our vulva infection free. The pH of the vaginal microbiome is acidic and by supporting an acidic environment, you are able to keep infections at bay.

Things like: douching, feminine hygiene wipes, and washing with harsh soaps can actually strip the vaginal microbiome, making you more prone to infections. Another thing to consider is that introducing things like saliva and semen can actually make the vaginal microbiome more alkaline. This then affects the ability of the microbiome in the vagina to ward off bad bacteria. 

In addition, using things like menstrual cups, dilators, and adult toys be another reason you may keep getting urinary tract infections. It is very important that you follow the manufacturers guidelines on proper cleaning of these products to ensure that they don’t introduce bacteria into the vulvar region.

The connection of intercourse and UTIs.

Another reason why you keep getting urinary tract infections could be the result of intercourse. During intercourse, friction to the vaginal canal can also create friction and irritation to the back of the urethra. This is particularly problematic if you are struggling with vaginal dryness and/or pelvic floor muscle tightness. Using a pure, water based lubricant is important, as is making sure that you have good pelvic floor muscle flexibility. Many find that urinating after intercourse can help reduce their incidence of UTIs as this helps to flush out any bacteria that might be residing in the urethra. 

What to do now if you have the question of “why do I keep getting urinary tract infections”?

Be sure to contact a pelvic floor physical therapist who can help you problem solve through any lifestyle habits or factors that might be playing a role in your symptoms. Pelvic floor physical therapists can also rule out pelvic floor muscle tightness as a cause to either your symptoms of infection, or actual infection itself.