UTIs can affect any person at any age, but certain groups are at greater risk.
The main reason women are more susceptible to UTIs has to do with the female anatomy. The urethra in women is shorter than in men and is located close to the anus, meaning bacteria can more easily invade the urinary tract.
Women's oestrogen levels also decline with age. This can cause the walls of the urinary tract to become thinner and drier. The protective mucous membrane, or mucose, also becomes less acidic which reduces its ability to fight off infection. This is why oestrogen hormone treatment is recommended to prevent UTIs.
Other groups at greater risk of getting a UTI are the elderly, people with diabetes mellitus, persons wearing an indwelling catheter.
Not being able to empty the bladder properly can also increase the risk of a UTI, as bacteria can grow in the remaining urine. Causes for residual urine include constipation, outflow obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate or a prolapse, and spinal cord injury or nerve damage, which interferes with the normal functioning of the urinary tract.