Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsUTIs in WomenCausesDiagnosisTreatmentRisks of Untreated UTIsPreventionOutlookNext in UTI GuideSymptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
UTIs in Women
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Risks of Untreated UTIs
Prevention
Outlook
Next in UTI Guide
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects the urinary system. The urinary system works to remove waste and extra water from the body. It includes the kidneys, two ureters, thebladder, and theurethra.
Common UTI symptoms include pain or burning with urination, a fever, and cloudy urine. Women are much more likely to experience UTIs than men. Other risk factors include diabetes, spinal cord injury, andcatheteruse (a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine).UTIs are usually diagnosed with a urine test and treated with antibiotics.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for urinary tract infections.
UTI Symptoms
The most commonsymptom of a urinary tract infectionis pain or burning with urination. Other common symptoms of UTIs include:
When the infection spreads to the kidneys, additional symptoms may include:
Foods to Avoid With a UTI
UTIs in Women: Why Do They Happen More Frequently?
Urinary tract infections affect people assigned female at birth more frequently than those assigned male. UTIs are up to 30 times more common in women than in men. It’s estimated that up to 4 in 10 women with a UTI will experience another within six months.
Women are more at risk for UTIs because of their anatomy. A woman’s urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, is much shorter than a man’s urethra. When the urethra is shorter, it is easier for bacteria to enter the bladder. A woman’s urethra is also closer to the anus, which raises the risk of exposure to bacteria likeEscherichia coli(E. coli).
Why Does Pregnancy Raise the Risk of a UTI?The changing hormone levels duringpregnancymay raise the risk of UTIs. A pregnant person with a UTI is also more likely to experience akidney infection. If you are pregnant and develop any symptoms of a UTI, see your healthcare provider immediately. UTIs and kidney infections during pregnancy increase the risk ofpreeclampsia,premature birth, and low birth weight.
Why Does Pregnancy Raise the Risk of a UTI?
The changing hormone levels duringpregnancymay raise the risk of UTIs. A pregnant person with a UTI is also more likely to experience akidney infection. If you are pregnant and develop any symptoms of a UTI, see your healthcare provider immediately. UTIs and kidney infections during pregnancy increase the risk ofpreeclampsia,premature birth, and low birth weight.
What Causes Blood in Urine With No Pain in Females?
How Do You Get a UTI?
A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urethra and travel to the bladder. In addition to bacteria, yeast may cause a UTI as well. Bacteria are irritating to the bladder and causeinflammationand pain.
Risk factors for UTIsinclude:
Causes of Bladder Infections in Children, Young, and Older Adults
UTI Test for Diagnosis
A UTI can be quickly diagnosed with a urine test (urinalysis). If you have developed symptoms of a UTI, such as pain or burning with urination, see your healthcare provider. They will ask you to collect a clean sample of urine for diagnosis.
Once you deliver your urine sample to your healthcare provider, they will test it for bacteria. Your results may take a few days to return. If you experience frequent UTIs, your provider may recommend further testing, including acystogram(X-ray of the urinary tract) and acystoscopic exam(a small tube is placed into the urethra to inspect the bladder).
Leukocytes in Urine: What’s the Normal Range?
UTI Treatment
Bacteria cause most UTIs and are treatable withantibiotics. The antibiotic depends on several factors, including the type of bacteria involved, your symptoms, how severe the infection is, and how often you experience UTIs.
Totreat a UTI effectively, follow these recommendations:
Possible side effects of antibiotics include a rash, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, andyeast infections.
The Secret to Instant UTI Relief
Treating a UTI right away is a critical way to prevent complications. UTIs are very treatable with antibiotics. When left untreated, the bacteria that caused the infection can spread to other areas of the body.
The most common complication of a UTI is a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). This occurs when bacteria spread to the kidneys and cause inflammation and pain. A kidney infection can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
A rare but serious UTI complication happens when bacteria spread to the bloodstream.
Who Gets Chronic UTIs?
It is common for some people to experience chronic or recurrent UTIs. If you experience two UTIs in six months or three in a year, you could be diagnosed with recurrent UTIs. It is more common for women to experience chronic UTIs.
Can You Have Sex With a UTI?
It is not recommended to have sex with a UTI. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend finishing your course of antibiotics before having sex.
How to Prevent UTIs
Fortunately, manyUTIs can be prevented. To lower your risk of experiencing a UTI, try the following tips:
Does Cranberry Juice Prevent UTIs?Cranberry juicemay prevent UTIs. Studies have shown that the compounds in cranberries may help prevent bacterial buildup in the walls of the urinary tract.If you have been experiencing recurrent or chronic UTIs, ask your healthcare provider about incorporating cranberry juice into your diet.
Does Cranberry Juice Prevent UTIs?
Cranberry juicemay prevent UTIs. Studies have shown that the compounds in cranberries may help prevent bacterial buildup in the walls of the urinary tract.If you have been experiencing recurrent or chronic UTIs, ask your healthcare provider about incorporating cranberry juice into your diet.
How to Prevent UTIs From Recurring
UTIs are common and easily treated. When treated right away, they do not cause further damage to the urinary tract. When left untreated, UTIs can lead to serious complications like kidney or blood infections.
If you develop a UTI, seek treatment right away to get started on a course of antibiotics. Take your medication exactly as prescribed and do not share it with others. If your symptoms do not improve, talk with your healthcare provider.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infections.Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of interstitial cystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection—UTI) in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infections.Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of interstitial cystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection—UTI) in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infections.Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of interstitial cystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection—UTI) in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.
MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infections.
Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of interstitial cystitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection—UTI) in adults.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.
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