Dear ms_varsity,

Yes — a woman who is not sexually active can get a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are usually caused by bacteria that have spread from the rectum to the urethra — the opening and tube from which women and men urinate. Often this happens during sex play, when fecal matter from a woman's anus comes in contact with the urethra. (In women, the urethra and anus are pretty close together.) But it can also happen when a woman wipes herself after going to the bathroom and gets fecal matter near the urethra and vagina.

A woman can become more susceptible to UTIs if her urethra is irritated, which can be caused by an allergy to soap, using bubble bath or spermicide, friction from tight jeans, or thrusting from vaginal intercourse.

Women can reduce their chances of getting UTIs by being careful while wiping after going to the bathroom, urinating right before and after vaginal intercourse, and drinking lots of water to flush out the urinary tract.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.