Ban the burn.

A UTI (urinary tract infection) is an infection in any part of the urinary system - which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. UTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder, take hold, and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract. 1 in 2 women will have a UTI in their lifetime. The most common UTIs occur mainly in women. Infection of the bladder This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In women, the urethra is close to the anus and the urethral opening is close to the bladder. This makes it easy for bacteria around the anus to enter the urethra and to travel to the bladder. Infection of the urethra This type of UTI can happen when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. An infection of the urethra can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This can happen because women’s urethras are close to the vagina.