Why are women more prone to urinary tract infections?

Women are more likely to suffer from urinary tract infections because the urethra in women is much shorter. It is easier for bacteria to reach the bladder, causing an infection.

The bladder and surrounding structures: 1 = Ureter; 2 = Rugae; 3 = Smooth muscle; 4 = Trigone; 5 = Prostate; 6 = Urethra; 7 = Urogenital diaphragm; 8 = External sphincter; 9 = Internal sphincter; 10 = Openings of ureters. (Cohen, B. J., and Wood, D. L. Memmler’s The Human Body in Health and Disease. 9th Ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2000.)

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