The urinary system is a complex network of organs and structures responsible for removing waste and excess fluids from the body. The urinary bladder is an important part of this system, storing urine until it’s ready to be expelled from the body.
In a healthy female, the urinary bladder is generally sterile. However, there is a small number of microorganisms known as resident flora that can be found in the distal one-third of the urethra, which connects the bladder to the vagina. This resident flora is not harmful and does not cause any infections or other issues.
It’s important to note that the resident flora in the urethra is not the same as the flora in the bladder. The flora in the urethra is different because it is in direct contact with the vagina, which has its own unique flora. The resident flora in the urethra closely resembles that of the vagina, which is a normal part of a healthy female reproductive system.
The presence of resident flora in the urine does not necessarily indicate a problem. In fact, it’s completely normal to have some resident flora in the urethra, and it’s not a cause for concern.
However, if the resident flora in the urethra is disrupted, it can lead to infections. For example, if the balance of flora in the vagina is disrupted, it can lead to the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which can then move into the urethra and bladder, causing an infection.