UTIs such as Cystitis develop when bacteria infect part of the urinary tract. Bacteria that live in the digestive system cause most UTIs. These bacteria can enter through the urethra or more rarely through the blood stream. The bacteria can move through the urinary tract and cause infection of your urethra (urethritis), bladder (cystitis) and kidneys (pyelonephritis).
There is no set reason behind why urinary tract infection occurs, however there are some risk factors that increase the chances of developing a UTI:
- Being sexually active
- Using a diaphragm for contraception
- Using condoms coated in spermicide
