As you age, your urinary tract is probably the last thing on your mind. But the risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs) increases with age. 

Dr. Rachel June, a primary care provider at Kettering Health Years Ahead, explains why you may experience more UTIs and shares ways to prevent them.  

What causes UTIs? 

UTIs happen when bacteria, often from the anus, enter the urethra and spread to the rest of the urinary tract, including the bladder, ureters, and kidneys. 

According to Dr. June, women are more likely to develop UTIs because their urethras are shorter than men’s. 

“So if bacteria gets in the urethra,” she says, “it’s much more likely to get into the bladder.” 

Symptoms 

Common UTI symptoms include 

• Fever 
• Abdominal pressure and pain 
• Pain with urination 
• Cloudy or bloody urine 

However, symptoms may be milder for older adults. 

“In adults over 65,” Dr. June says, “only about half of them will have a fever.” 

You might not experience any pain with a UTI, either. Often, a strong urge to urinate or sudden onset urinary incontinence may be your only symptoms. Sometimes there are no physical symptoms at all. 

“They may notice just a change in their mental status,” Dr. June says. “So they’re less alert, more confused, or more agitated.”

Risk factors as we age 

Anyone can get a UTI, but the risk increases as we age. 

Women’s estrogen levels drop post-menopause, changing the body’s natural pH levels. This change in acidity makes it easier for bacteria to spread to the urinary tract. 

While men usually have a minimal risk, an enlarged prostate (a condition common in older men) may increase their risk. 

“If the prostate gets enlarged to the point where it causes obstruction and urine is more stagnant,” Dr. June says, “it can cause infections.” 

Despite the increased risk, there are things you can do to prevent UTIs. 

Prevention and treatment 

The first thing Dr. June recommends is proper hydration. 

“You want to increase your water intake and try to keep your urine as clear as possible.” 

Drinking plenty of water causes you to empty your bladder more frequently, making it harder for bacteria to grow. This is also why you shouldn’t hold in your urine. 

“If you feel like you need to go, go,” Dr. June says. “Don’t wait.” 

Practicing proper hygiene—which includes wiping front to back for women—and avoiding baths also prevent UTIs. 

Additionally, Dr. June shares that cranberry supplements and probiotics may help. 

If you have a UTI, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Take these as directed to prevent the infection from spreading to your kidneys or bloodstream. 

If you’re concerned about UTIs, your doctor can determine your risk and recommend the best prevention methods for you.