Hi, Ms Breth
While it is not uncommon for females to get UTIs, to get 3 UTIs per year may be of concern not to mention the discomfort that can be disruptive to your life.
Recurrent UTIs in females especially if you have at least 2 episodes within 6 months warrant further evaluation with your doctor.
Common causes of recurrent UTIs:
1) Hygiene - due to the proximity of the urethra and the rectum in females and also that the urethra in females are shorter, it is much easier for females to get UTI. Thus, the advise I usu give to females is to ensure that when you are wiping after passing urine to always wipe from the front to the back and not the other way.
2) Dehydration and holding urine for prolong periods of time - Sometimes when we get busy we tend to drink less water and thus we have lesser frequency of passing urine. This increases the risk of UTIs. Also try not to hold your urine in your bladder for prolong periods of time as this can also increase the risk of UTIs.
3) Abnormality of the urinary system - Sometimes due to structural abnormalities in the urinary system , i.e kidneys, ureters (brings urine form kidneys to the bladder), urethra (bring urine from bladder to the outside) may be the cause of recurrent UTIs. This should be evaluated via ultrasound or sometimes CT scan of the urinary system if your doctor believes there may be abnormalities. Sometimes, recurrent UTIs can also be caused by backflow of urine due to problems in the valves in the ureters.
Thus I would recommend that you should see your doctor for further evaluation of frequent recurrent UTIs.
