Why Women Are More Likely to Get UTIs — And What Actually Helps

Roughly half of women will experience a urinary tract infection, compared to a small fraction of men. The difference is mostly anatomy — but prevention is where you have leverage.

The anatomy part

The female urethra is short and close to the vaginal and anal microbiomes, giving bacteria a shorter road. Hormonal shifts can also change the vaginal environment in ways that favor troublemakers.

The prevention checklist

1. Hydrate — dilution is genuinely protective.
2. Urinate after intercourse.
3. Wipe front to back (still worth saying).
4. Avoid harsh intimate soaps; the vagina is self-cleaning.
5. Consider breathable cotton underwear and changing out of damp clothes promptly.

When pH patterns matter

Recurrent UTIs sometimes travel with vaginal microbiome shifts. Continuous pH awareness — one of Femora's five signals — can help you notice when your environment feels "off" before symptoms escalate, though any suspected infection belongs with a clinician.