Why do women experience more urinary tract infections than men?

Women experience more urinary tract infections (UTIs) than men primarily due to the anatomical differences associated with the female urinary system. The urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, is shorter in women than in men. This shorter urethra makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder, increasing the likelihood of an infection.

In contrast, men have a longer urethra, which provides a longer distance for potential pathogens to travel before reaching the bladder and makes it somewhat less susceptible to UTIs. Therefore, the shorter urethra in women contributes significantly to their increased incidence of urinary tract infections. This anatomical factor is a key reason behind the disparity in UTI occurrences between the genders.