Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), also known as chronic urinary tract infections, are defined as having at least 2 infections in 6 months, or 3 infections in 1 year. Often, they are caused by a type of bacteria that is different from the infection before it, which means that the new infection is separate from the last infection. Many women suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections, which are also known as chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs). Statistics on chronic UTIs include the following: 1  Nearly 20 percent of women who have a UTI will have another UTI.  30 percent of women who have two UTIs will have another UTI.