Frequent UTIs (Urinary Infections) & Yeast Infections in Diabetes

Yes, uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of both UTIs and yeast infections. Here is the simple reason and what you can do.

Why high sugars cause more infections

High sugar weakens your body’s infection-fighting system. When glucose stays high, white blood cells do not work as efficiently, so germs can multiply more easily. This is one important reason infections become frequent in diabetes. ^[1]

Sugar can spill into urine when blood glucose is high. That sugar-rich urine can support germ growth in the urinary and genital area, increasing chances of UTIs and yeast infections. ^[1]

Why yeast infections are common in diabetes

Yeast (Candida) naturally lives on skin and in the genital area, but it overgrows when conditions favor it.

Diabetes is specifically listed as a “complicated” risk factor for vulvovaginal yeast infection and also linked with recurrent episodes in some women. ^[2]

Why UTIs are common in diabetes

Along with higher sugar and reduced immunity, diabetes can also cause:

• Incomplete bladder emptying in some people (due to nerve-related bladder issues). When urine stays back, bacteria get more time to grow. ^[1]
• Dehydration when sugars are very high (you pass more urine), which can irritate the urinary tract and worsen symptoms. ^[1]

One very important medication-related cause to check

If you are taking an SGLT2 inhibitor (a diabetes tablet that makes sugar pass into urine), it can increase the risk of genital fungal infections.

This is a well-known effect mentioned in prescribing information, because the medicine increases glucose in urine. If you have frequent genital infections, tell your doctor so they can decide whether to pause, switch, or preventively manage it. ^[3]

Common triggers that make recurrence more likely

These can add to the problem and are worth fixing:

• Poor genital hygiene, staying in wet undergarments, tight synthetic underwear.
• Recent antibiotics (they can disturb normal protective bacteria). ^[2]
• Sexual activity (can trigger UTIs in some women).
• Menopause or vaginal dryness (in some women).

What you should do now

Step A: Confirm what infection it is

Burning urine is not always UTI, and itching is not always yeast. You need the right test because treatment is different.

• For suspected UTI: urine routine and culture before antibiotics (especially if recurrent).
• For suspected yeast: clinical exam and testing if recurrent or not responding. ^[2]

Step B: Fix the root cause: glucose control

If sugars are frequently high, infections will keep coming back. Improving HbA1c and daily glucose control is the biggest long-term prevention step. ^[1]

Step C: Prevention basics that actually help

• Drink enough water (unless your doctor has restricted fluids).
• Do not hold urine for long periods.
• Urinate after intercourse (helps some women).
• Keep the genital area dry; change out of sweaty clothes quickly.
• Prefer loose, breathable cotton underwear.
• Avoid self-medicating repeated antifungals or antibiotics without tests (causes resistance and recurrence). ^[2]

When to seek urgent care

Get medical help urgently if you have:

• Fever, chills, flank/back pain, vomiting.
• Blood in urine.
• Pregnancy.
• Very high sugars with weakness or confusion.
• Recurrent infections with severe pain or uncontrolled diabetes. ^[1]

Bottom line

Frequent UTIs and yeast infections are common when diabetes is not well controlled.

The best long-term solution is a combination of: confirming the infection with proper tests, treating correctly, and improving glucose control, plus checking whether any diabetes medicine (like SGLT2 inhibitors) is contributing. ^[1,3]