Why are women more prone to urinary tract infections than men?

Women are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) primarily because they have a shorter urethra compared to men. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, and a shorter urethra means that bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder, where they can cause an infection.

Additionally, the anatomical positioning of the female urethra is closer to the anus, which increases the likelihood of fecal bacteria entering the urethra and subsequently leading to infections. This anatomical factor, combined with hormonal influences and other physiological changes throughout a woman’s life, makes them more susceptible to recurrent UTIs.

The other options do not contribute to the increased risk for UTIs in women: a longer urethra would decrease the risk, producing less urine does not correlate with UTI prevalence, and urine acidity also does not directly affect the likelihood of UTIs in the way mentioned in the question.