How common are bladder infections?
Bladder infections are common.
Between 1 in 5 and 2 in 5 women get a bladder infection at some time in their life.1
About 1 in 5 women who have had a bladder infection will get them again and again (these are known as recurrent bladder infections). Most of these women (9 in 10) get a new infection each time rather than have a relapse from a previous infection that hasn't gone away.
Bladder infections are less common during the winter months.2
Sources for the information on this page:
- Hooton TM, Scholes D, Hughes JP, et al. A prospective study of risk factors for symptomatic urinary tract infection in young women. New England Journal of Medicine. 1996; 335: 468-474.
- Stamm WE, McKevitt M, Roberts PL, et al. Natural history of recurrent urinary tract infections in women. Review of Infectious Diseases. 1991; 13: 77-84.
This information was last updated in Jan 21, 2008
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This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |
