Estrogen has a variety of effects on the vaginal tissues. When present, estrogen helps to maintain the appropriate acidity of the vaginal environment; when deficient, the vagina becomes alkaline, permitting
bacteria to multiply more easily. When bacteria multiply in a vicinity so close to the opening of the bladder, urinary infections can result. A lack of estrogen also causes deterioration of the vaginal lining and opening to the bladder which allows easier adhesion by bacteria. This also increases the risk bladder infection. Vaginal estrogen creams can be useful in treating this problem. Estrogen deficiency is one of the most common factors related to recurrent urinary tract infections in post menopausal females.
