The Facts
The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are far more common in women than men. UTIs have different names depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected.
- cystitis refers to infection of the bladder
- urethritis refers to infection of the urethra
- pyelonephritis refers to infection of the kidney
Among newborns, UTIs are more common in boys, but by one year of age, they are ten times more likely to occur in girls. The rate of infection is higher for sexually active women (between 16 and 35 years old) than for men.
As many as 25% to 40% of North American women have had at least one UTI in their lifetime. Among seniors, the gender difference in infection rates diminishes; however, rates of infection in seniors living at home or in care facilities or hospitals remain high.