Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are most common in women. They usually occur in the bladder or urethra, but more severe infections involve the kidney. A bladder infection may cause pelvic pain, increased urge to urinate, pain with urination, and blood in the urine. A kidney infection may cause back pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
As estrogen production falls in menopausal women, UTIs can occur more frequently. There are several reasons for this. Vaginal tissue thins with age, making it more prone to infection. Difficulty fully emptying the bladder can also increase the chance of an infection.
Menopausal UTIs, however, are related to decreased estrogen levels and associated physical changes. Estrogen helps naturally occurring “good” bacteria (lactobacilli) within the vagina thrive. Lactobacilli produces an acid that lowers the pH in the vagina, which controls infection-causing bacteria also present in the vagina. When estrogen levels decline, the “bad” bacteria multiply and increase the risk of UTI. Other menopausal changes that elevate the risk of UTIs include thinning and dryness/irritation of the vaginal tissue.