Can Incontinence Cause UTIs?

While urinary tract infections might be more commonly considered to be a cause of incontinence, we explore the alternative and answer the question – can incontinence cause UTIs?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when any part of the urinary system – the bladder, urethra or kidneys – becomes infected with bacteria. This bacteria can travel from the anal or genital areas and travel into the urinary system.  

But can incontinence cause UTIs? That’s what we are going to uncover in this article, so keep reading! 

Now, first and foremost it’s essential to familiarise yourself with symptoms and side effects that may indicate you have a UTI. These include: 

*Pain and/or burning sensation when passing urine

*Abdominal cramping

*Frequent and/or ongoing sudden urges to urinate

*Inability to fully empty bladder when urinating

*Cloudy or bloody urine

*Fatigue and dizziness

*Fever

*Nausea and/or vomiting

*Urinary incontinence or a sudden increase in incontinence symptoms (more on this soon!)

While it’s more commonly considered a side-effect of a UTI, let’s now explore the question – can incontinence cause UTIs?

How does incontinence cause UTIs?

There are certainly a few ways in which incontinence can cause UTIs.  

People who experience urinary incontinence may limit their fluid intake to avoid having an incident. This can increase the risk of a UTI, however, because it can cause dehydration and the concentration of urine in the bladder which can lead to bacteria growth and infection. 

Those who use catheters for incontinence can be at a greater risk of developing a UTI due to bacteria that can develop in the catheter if it’s not kept clean. 

If someone is experiencing difficulty emptying their bladder as a post-surgery side-effect, this can also result in a UTI.  

There are also instances where urinary incontinence may be left untreated and this can encourage the onset of recurrent UTIs.  

Then, of course, because UTIs can irritate your bladder, they can cause a strong urge to urinate.  

One study of postmenopausal women found that 60% reported urinary incontinence 4.7 times per month with a UTI, compared to women who did not experience a UTI, they only experienced urine loss at 2.64 times per month [2].  

Those who already experience incontinence can also be more susceptible to getting UTIs which may exacerbate their incontinence symptoms.

How to prevent UTIs?

Along with the above tips on changing your incontinence products regularly (depending on your needs), some other ways you can prevent UTIs include:

1.Wipe the genital area from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria to the urinary system

2.Wash the genital area with unscented, gentle soap and rinse well with warm water

3.Keep the area as dry as possible as bacteria thrive in damp conditions

4.Choose incontinence products that have good absorbency

5.Keep hydrated with plenty of water and fluids to flush out bacteria

6.Eat a whole food diet full of gut-loving nutrients – think vegetables, fruits, lean meats, seafood, whole grains, etc.

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