A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of part of the urinary system — most often the bladder (cystitis), and sometimes the urethra or kidneys. Typical symptoms are a burning feeling when you urinate, needing to go often or urgently, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
UTIs become more common after menopause. As estrogen falls, the tissues of the vagina and urinary tract thin and the protective balance of bacteria shifts — part of the cluster of changes called the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (see vaginal dryness). This can lead to recurrent UTIs.
Low-dose vaginal estrogen can reduce recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women. See a clinician for symptoms, and seek prompt care for fever, back or side pain, or blood in your urine, which can signal a kidney infection.