Bladder infections, or more generally urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a very common infection in women of all ages. I would recommend talking to your doctor to further understand this condition. In general, urinary tract infections, or UTIs are common in women whereas men rarely get the infection. The major reason is anatomy. Women have an extremely short urethra (connection from the bladder to the outside) which makes it very easy for bacteria to track up from the outside. On the other hand, men have a much longer urethra (in the penis) which protects their bladder. Most UTI's are caused by bacteria that are normally in the GI tract, so the proximity from the rectum to the urethra in women is a major cause. There are other causes that can make women more likely to have UTIs. There are genetic conditions that make some women more susceptible than others. Diabetic women are more likely to get UTIs as sugar is good food for bacteria. For older women--most UTIs are associated with sexual activity. There is very little that can be done to prevent UTIs. In general, good hygiene is important (some suggest having girls wipe after having a bowel movement should be front to back to avoid contaminating the urethra). Beyond that, recognizing the symptoms of burning with urination, blood in the urine and fevers is important as the infection untreated can infect kidneys.