Bladder and urinary tract infections (UTIs) often present with the same or similar symptoms. So it’s easy to understand why people might use the terms interchangeably.
The definition of a UTI is broad. It is defined as an infection in any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, kidneys, ureters, and bladder. But bladder infections are the most common type of UTI.
A bladder infection (cystitis) is a type of urinary tract infection, but not all UTIs are bladder infections. In other words, cystitis is a UTI that’s only located in the bladder. Cystitis is also the most common UTI-related diagnosis, especially in women.
What Is Cystitis?
In simple terms, cystitis– which, again, is a type of UTI - is a result of inflammation of the bladder and associated structures, most often caused by bacteria that enter through the urethra and travel up the urinary tract. E.coli (which is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract) is the main culprit for these infections, but other bacteria like proteus, enterococcus, and klebsiella can contribute as well.
If left untreated, there is a danger these bacteria could travel further up the urological system into the kidneys, causing more serious illness.
Why Are Women More Likely Than Men to Develop a UTI?
About 40% to 60% of women in the US will develop a UTI in their lifetime. About 10% will contract a UTI annually.
Even more specifically, women between the ages of sixteen and thirty-five are the most vulnerable. And recurrences are common, so about half of female patients experience another UTI within the same year.
What’s more, this type of infection is more common in women than men by at least four times.
But why is this?
Mostly it has to do with physical anatomy. While there can be a number of other contributing factors, one key reason is that a woman’s ureter is shorter than a man’s. So bacteria can more easily travel to other urological structures, including the bladder.
What Are the Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection vs. a Bladder Infection?
As you’ll see, UTIs and cystitis share common symptoms, which is why you should see your doctor if you experience any of them. Your doctor can perform a urinalysis to determine a specific diagnosis.
That said, common symptoms for both include:
Urinary Tract Infection
A strong, persistent urge to urinate
A burning sensation when urinating
Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
Urine that appears cloudy
Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine
Strong-smelling urine
Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone
Bladder Infection
A painful, burning sensation during urination
Pain in the bladder which can also feel like an urgent need to urinate, even if you’ve just been
Only producing a few drops when trying to urinate
Leaking urine
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Blood in the urine
Pelvic or stomach pain
Low-grade fever
Am I at Risk?
As we’ve already pointed out, being a woman is already a risk factor in and of itself. But there are other risk factors important to note here:
Sexual activity. Anything that encourages bacteria to travel up the urinary tract can put you at a higher risk of contracting a urinary tract infection (including bladder infections). The friction involved in intercourse can push bacteria into the urinary tract.
Some birth control methods. Using a diaphragm and/or spermicidal gels can increase a woman’s risk of contracting a UTI and, potentially, a bladder infection.
Menopause. In simple terms, a woman in menopause may experience a decline in estrogen, which can affect the urinary tract, making her more prone to infection.
Blockages. An enlarged prostate or a kidney stone, for example, can trap urine in the bladder which can make a patient more vulnerable to infection.
Use of catheters. Often when a patient is hospitalized or has neurological issues that affect their ability to control urination, a catheter is used to empty the bladder. This can introduce bacteria to the bladder, causing infection. And the longer the catheter is used, the more risk of infection.
Prevention
There are many ways to lower your risk factor for contracting a UTI including:
Drinking plenty of water.
Drinking cranberry juice.
Emptying your bladder after sexual intercourse.
Avoiding potentially irritating feminine products like douches and powders.
Wiping front to back. After a bowel movement, wiping towards the anus reduces the likelihood of bacteria entering the vagina or urethra.
But it’s important to remember, that even preventative measures sometimes fail to protect against infection. If you think you may have, or struggle with regular UTIs (including bladder infections), it’s time to make an appointment with your urologist.
At Norman Urology, we specialize in treating disorders of the male and female urinary tracts, including UTIs and bladder infections. Our mission is to provide quality, cost-effective, outcome-based perioperative care to patients with specific medical and surgical needs.
If you have questions, we’d love to hear from you. Why not set an appointment with us today?