Why are postmenopausal women more likely to have recurrent urinary tract infections?

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The most common cause of urinary tract infection is invasion into the urethra of Escherichia coli, a type of bacterium that normally inhabits the bowel. — urinary tract infection The most common cause of urinary tract infection is invasion into the urethra of *Escherichia coli*, a type of bacterium that normally inhabits the bowel.

Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) primarily due to hormonal changes. As levels of estrogen decrease after menopause, the vaginal epithelium undergoes thinning. This structural change reduces the body's natural defenses against the invasion of microorganisms, thereby increasing the likelihood of infection.1

To address this, medical professionals may recommend the use of a vaginal estrogen cream, which helps prevent the thinning of the vaginal epithelium and can assist in reducing the frequency of these infections.1