Key takeaways:
Common signs that you may be getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) include discomfort while urinating, urine that looks or smells unusual, and mild abdominal cramping.
Other illnesses, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and interstitial cystitis, can mimic the symptoms of a UTI.
Drinking plenty of water and taking cranberry tablets or over-the-counter medications may treat the symptoms of a UTI. But this may not be enough to cure the infection.
Many people can tell when a urinary tract infection (UTI) is coming on, especially if they’ve had one in the past. That’s very helpful. It means you can catch it early, avoiding a more serious bladder infection and more bothersome symptoms.
But maybe you’ve never had a UTI or aren’t sure what a UTI feels like. If so, there are a few helpful guidelines that’ll help you decide if your symptoms might be from a UTI and when to get medical care.
What are the early symptoms of a UTI?
At the start of a UTI, early symptoms may feel like:
Burning or stinging sensation when you urinate (pee)
Feeling like you have to pee more often than usual
Urinating a smaller amount than usual
Unusual odor to your urine
Darker, cloudy, and/or pinkish-tinged urine
Mild discomfort in your lower abdomen
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If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if you’ve recently had sexual intercourse or are prone to getting UTIs, you may be developing a UTI.
How long does it take for a UTI to develop?
It takes about 2 days for a UTI to develop. Once the bacteria enters the urethra (for example, during sex), they start multiplying until the first symptoms of a UTI start. This usually happens in about 48 hours.
Can you prevent a UTI before it starts?
Yes, you may be able to prevent a UTI before it starts. There isn’t a large amount of research on the topic. However, the existing studies suggest that early UTI symptoms can be prevented by using cranberry products and hydrating well.
How does cranberry help with UTIs?
The active ingredient in cranberry, proanthocyanidins (PAC), prevents bacteria from sticking to the inside of the bladder wall. This means the bacteria have less chance to spread and cause infection. Cranberry tablets are more affordable than cranberry juice, since the tablets have a much higher concentration of the active ingredient.
In one small study, people who took daily cranberry tablets (500 mg or 1,000 mg ) had fewer UTI symptoms and a lower bacterial count compared to people who didn’t take the tablets. More research has been done on using cranberry products to prevent UTIs rather than to treat them, however. If you’re prone to getting UTIs, it would work better to take cranberry pills regularly before you develop any symptoms.
Does drinking a lot of water help with UTIs?
As with cranberry pills, drinking plenty of water works better to prevent UTIs than to treat them.
Anyone can get a UTI. But there are different factors that increase your risk. From sexual activity to pregnancy, here’s what you can do to prevent a UTI.
Think you have a UTI? Here are your options when it comes to UTI tests.
How serious is your UTI? Understanding the differences between complicated and uncomplicated UTIs can help you know when to get help and the best treatment for you.
One randomized controlled trial studied women who were prone to UTIs and didn’t drink a lot of fluids. Some of these women drank more water, while others kept drinking their regular (relatively low) amount of fluids. The women who increased their fluid intake got significantly fewer UTIs over the course of the year.
So, it seems that if you don’t stay well hydrated, drinking more water can help you avoid UTIs.
“Flushing” out a UTI once it has started by drinking lots of water has been recommended for ages. When you urinate more, it pushes bacteria out of your urinary system and into your urine. However, you don’t want to go overboard, because drinking too much water can be very dangerous.
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What other conditions can feel like a UTI?
In addition to UTIs, uncomfortable urinary symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions. Sometimes, these overlap with a UTI, so it’s important to get a urine test if you’re not sure what’s causing your symptoms. Some common causes of pain with urination include:
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Bacterial vaginosis (in women)
Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome
Inflammation (from soaps, perfumes, or lubricants)Prostatitis (in men)
Quiz: Do you have a UTI or a STD/STI?
When to get treatment for a UTI
In many cases, it’s OK to wait 1 to 2 days to see if your UTI symptoms resolve on their own. However, certain conditions make UTIs more likely and are considered high risk for complications. Get an evaluation as soon as possible if you have UTI symptoms and any of these apply to you:
Pregnancy: If you’re pregnant and have signs of a UTI, it’s important to get it checked out right away — unless your only symptom is having to go to the bathroom more frequently, which is a natural part of pregnancy.
Diabetes or a weakened immune system: Your body can’t fight off infection as well when your immune system isn’t functioning properly.
Problems with the urinary tract, such as cysts or kidney stones: Though all the reasons aren’t clear, people who tend to form kidney stones also tend to have more UTIs.
Men: Although men can get UTIs, it’s less common than in women. So, if you have UTI-like symptoms, it’s best to visit a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis.
Good to know: While a telemedicine visit can be convenient, if you think you have a UTI, it’s best to get an in-person evaluation (ideally with your primary care provider). That way, you can get a urinalysis and urine culture before starting any antibiotics. Accurate urine studies are very important to make sure people with a higher risk get treated with the right antibiotic for the right amount of time.
People who don’t have a high risk of complications should still get treatment from a healthcare professional if they develop UTI symptoms along with any of the following:
Fever
Back pain, especially if it’s worse on one side
Severe nausea or vomiting
Visible clots of blood in their urine
Severe abdominal pain
Symptoms that aren’t improving or are worsening after 24 to 48 hours of home care
Frequently asked questions
In addition to the typical UTI symptoms, a complicated UTI can cause:
Nausea
Fever
Muscle aches
Pain in your lower back or side
These symptoms can point toward a more serious infection. So, if you’re in a high-risk group or experience these symptoms, it’s best to visit your primary care provider for an evaluation.
A UTI happens when germs from your skin or gut enter your urinary tract and multiply. The most common cause of UTI is the bacteria E. coli. An infection can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, and urethra. But it’s most common in the bladder.
To prevent a UTI after sexual intercourse, try peeing shortly afterward. This may help flush out bacteria that move toward your urethra during sex. This bacteria lives on your skin and around your genitals without causing an issue. But it’s a different story if that bacteria enters your urethra. There’s not much evidence to back this up, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
People experience UTIs differently, and that includes men. Though UTIs are less common in men, they do happen. Men with a UTI may:
Feel like they need to pee more often or suddenly — even after peeing
Experience pain or burning when they pee
Have cloudy or bloody urine
Notice pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
In addition to the typical UTI symptoms, a complicated UTI can cause:
Nausea
Fever
Muscle aches
Pain in your lower back or side
These symptoms can point toward a more serious infection. So, if you’re in a high-risk group or experience these symptoms, it’s best to visit your primary care provider for an evaluation.
A UTI happens when germs from your skin or gut enter your urinary tract and multiply. The most common cause of UTI is the bacteria E. coli. An infection can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, and urethra. But it’s most common in the bladder.
To prevent a UTI after sexual intercourse, try peeing shortly afterward. This may help flush out bacteria that move toward your urethra during sex. This bacteria lives on your skin and around your genitals without causing an issue. But it’s a different story if that bacteria enters your urethra. There’s not much evidence to back this up, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
People experience UTIs differently, and that includes men. Though UTIs are less common in men, they do happen. Men with a UTI may:
Feel like they need to pee more often or suddenly — even after peeing
Experience pain or burning when they pee
Have cloudy or bloody urine
Notice pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
The bottom line
Early signs of a UTI include discomfort while urinating, urine that looks or smells unusual, and mild abdominal cramping. Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a UTI can help you catch an infection earlier. And that can give you a greater chance of successfully treating it at home. If you aren’t sure what’s causing your discomfort, it’s best to visit your primary care provider.
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References
Brain, E., et al. (2021). Risk of UTI in kidney stone formers: A matched-cohort study over a median follow-up of 19 years. World Journal of Urology.
Hooton, T. M., et al. (2018). Effect of increased daily water intake in premenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections. JAMA Internal Medicine.
Moore, E. E., et al. (2008). Sexual intercourse and risk of symptomatic urinary tract infection in post-menopausal women. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Sengupta, K., et al. (2011). A randomized, double blind, controlled, dose dependent clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a proanthocyanidin standardized whole cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) powder on infections of the urinary tract. Current Bioactive Compounds.
Williams, G., et al. (2023). Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
