Inflammation or infection in the urethra can occur from the pressure exerted on this tube by a baby during childbirth. Sexual intercourse may also cause pressure. Sometimes the pelvic congestion due to retained fluid before a period may lead to congestion and inflammation in the urethra.
The urethra is derived from the same embryonic tissue which forms the reproductive organs and, like them, is influenced by the hormone oestrogen.
After the menopause, when the amount of oestrogen is greatly reduced, the urethra can become thinned and more easily infected or damaged. For this reason, post-menopausal women often develop bladder irritation following intercourse.
Fortunately, treatment is effective. Oestrogen, given either by tablets or as a local cream or pessary, reverses the changes in the urethra and stops the recurrence of symptoms.
For those woman who suffer repeated attacks of bladder irritation every few months, the best means of prevention may be taking small, regular amounts of antibiotics to prevent infection in the urethra.
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