Hi, Recurrent uncomplicated UTIs are common among young, healthy women even though they generally have anatomically and physiologically normal urinary tracts. Chronic urinary tract infections are most common in women. This is due to two different aspects of basic human anatomy: first, the urethra is close to the rectum in women. As a result, it is extremely easy for bacteria from the rectum to reach the urethra—particularly if you wipe back to front instead of front to back. Second, in women, the urethra is shorter than men. So bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to get to the bladder, where they can multiply and more readily cause infection. There are other lifestyle factors that can put you at extra risk of developing a chronic UTI. For example, using a diaphragm during sex can cause problems. Diaphragms push up against the urethra, making it harder to fully empty your bladder. The urine that is not fully emptied is more likely to grow bacteria. Another example is constantly changing the bacterial makeup of the vagina. If you regularly use antibacterial vaginal douches, spermicides, and certain oral antibiotics, you basically are changing your vaginal bacteria regularly. This can increase your risk of developing a chronic UTI. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein, General Surgeon