What causes urinary tract infections in women?

Because the uretra in women is smaller than it is in men, we tend to get them more frequently than men do. They can be caused by any number of reasons:

1. not drinking enough water to flush impurities out of the system;
2. improper wiping of the area (wipe from front to back, especially after a bowel movement);
3. very active sex, which irritates the area;
4. a yeast infection, which can travel into the bladder

There are other reasons as well. See the link below.

Antibiotics are usually the prescribed course of treatment, but cranberry juice or tablets (AZO brand, which can be found in drugstores in the US, and purchased over the counter) also helps but as a temporary measure. You should still seek medical treatment, especially if it doesn't subside. Cranberry juice- a natural kind, and not filled with tons of sugar (which makes you more yeast prone) is best.

Make sure to address the problem though. Urinary infections CAN turn into kidney infections and they are not fun. You can get really sick from them.

Anything from not urinating after sex, certain underwear, holding your urine consistantly for too long, not drinking enough water...you have to remember, all of our orafices are right next to each other so it woudn't take much for bacteria to enter our "pee hole", even wiping improperly

Usually, it's because bacteria gets pushed up through the urethra (sp) into the urinary tract. It's more likely to happen to women because of the way they are built (i.e. the urethra is basically between the urinary tract and the vaginal opening so even a tampon can inadvertently push bacteria up into there.

Urinary tract infections essentially occur when bacteria or other microorganisms propagate at the opening of the urethra.

Any abnormality of the urinary tract like a kidney stone or enlarged prostate gland may set the stage for an infection; tubes or catheters inserted into the urethra, possibly to aid urination. Other disorders that suppress the immune system may also increase chances of a UTI. There are also other causes; read the source for more info.

It depends on the person. Not urnating after sex is the most common though. Even if you dont feel like you have to go try. Because bacteria will grow and thats what causes a urinary tract infection.