Anyone who's had a urinary tract infection (UTI) will tell you that it's annoying and uncomfortable, to say the least. A UTI occurs when bacteria infect a part of the urinary tract. 

UTIs are very common. Over 50% of women will have at least one UTI throughout their life. Some people will have more, especially if they are predisposed to recurring UTIs. Recurring UTIs are defined as having several UTIs a year, says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, OB/GYN Lead at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.

Here are several reasons why you may be having recurring UTIs and how to reduce your risk of getting them again. 

Women are more prone to UTIs simply due to their anatomy. Having a shorter urethra and a shorter distance between the opening of the urethra, vagina, and anus makes women more likely to get frequent UTIs, says Jane Yun, MD, OB/GYN at Loma Linda University Health. 

Men have longer urethras and a greater distance between their urethra and anus, which makes them less likely to get UTIs, though it is still possible. Women get UTIs a whopping 30 times more than men do. 

Having sexual intercourse can also put you at higher risk for getting UTIs. This is because sex can cause bacteria from the vagina and anus to get pushed up the urethra, says Ruiz. Once this bacteria is in the urethra, it can cause an infection. 

In order to counteract this, Ruiz says you should always urinate after sex to flush away bacteria and help prevent a UTI.

Menopause results in thinning of the vaginal tissue and an increase in the pH of the vagina, Yun says. This causes a change in the vaginal flora, or, the bacteria in the vagina, which can increase your risk of getting UTIs. Yun says that applying topical vaginal estrogen, such as estrogen cream, is helpful to combat this.

Furthermore, menopause may also be associated with incontinence and incomplete emptying of the bladder, which can also put you at greater risk for UTIs. 

Diaphragms are shallow silicone cups inserted into the vagina as a form of birth control . They are used with spermicide, chemicals that prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. 

Diaphragms and spermicides may also cause a change in normal vaginal flora, allowing colonization of bacteria that is more likely to cause UTIs, Yun says. Additionally, a diaphragm that's too large could obstruct the urinary tract, however, this is a less likely cause. 

Douching is the practice of washing out your vagina with water or a store-bought mixture. This can also throw off the balance of normal flora in the vagina, which can allow for the overgrowth of bacteria that causes UTIs, Yun says. 

Plus, douching can increase the risk of other vaginal infections and irritations such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. Overall, Yun says gynecologists typically advise against douching. 

Certain medical conditions can make you more likely to get a UTI. Some of these include:

If you have recurring UTIs, there are some simple changes you can make that may reduce your risk. According to Yun, these include:

If none of these do the trick and you still have recurrent UTIs related to intercourse, Yun says a single dose of antibiotics after sex may be prescribed to prevent infection. You would know that a UTI is related to sex if symptoms arise within the first few days after sex, typically within the first day after, Yun says. 

"We try to avoid daily antibiotic prophylaxis when possible because of concerns of side effects and bacterial resistance but for those who need this option, it is very effective," Yun says.

Additionally, Ruiz says it may be helpful for someone with recurring UTIs to see a urologist if the above strategies do not help. A urologist can look at the bladder and determine if there is something anatomical going on that may be contributing to the UTIs. 

UTIs, especially recurring UTIs, can be extremely pesky. Luckily, there are plenty of preventative measures that you can take to ward off UTIs — such as urinating after sex, staying hydrated, trying different birth control methods, and taking cranberry supplements — and there are reliable treatment options that can bring you relief if you do get a UTI. If you are suffering from recurring UTIs, don't hesitate to see a doctor.