Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms: What Does a UTI Feel Like?

If you have pain or discomfort while you pee, you might have a urinary tract infection (UTI). It’s important to know when you have a UTI so you can get the proper treatment. But this isn’t always easy. Some conditions, like sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can cause similar symptoms to a UTI. Here’s how to recognize what a UTI feels like and determine when it might be something more serious. 

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection happens when a specific part of the urinary tract gets infected. The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, the ureters (the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder), the bladder, and the urethra (the tube carrying urine out of your body).

The UTI symptoms you have will depend on which part of your urinary tract is infected.

An infection in the upper tract (the kidneys) is much more serious than one in the lower tract (the bladder or urethra). 

Common UTI symptoms

UTIs don’t always have symptoms. But knowing the signs and symptoms can help you catch and treat it early.

Some common symptoms of a simple lower UTI (in the bladder or urethra) include:

• Pain or burning when you pee (dysuria)

• Frequent and urgent need to urinate

• Pain in the pelvic area

• Waking at night to pee (nocturia)

• Blood in your urine (hematuria)

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• Antibiotic treatment for UTIs: Learn which antibiotics are most effective for UTIs and how healthcare professionals decide which one to prescribe.

• OTC treatment for UTIs: These over-the-counter medications won’t cure a UTI, but they can help make UTI symptoms tolerable. 

• UTI prevention: Simple changes in these daily habits may help prevent future UTIs.

Serious UTI symptoms

When an infection involves your upper urinary tract (the kidneys), it’s called pyelonephritis. About 1 in 30 UTIs become a kidney infection. The symptoms of pyelonephritis are usually more serious and different from a lower UTI. 

Symptoms of a kidney infection include:

• Pain in your back or side

• Fevers and chills

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fatigue or weakness

• Diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

The kidneys are filled with tiny blood vessels which filter electrolytes, proteins, water, and toxins. If a UTI infects your kidneys, it can readily spread to your bloodstream through these blood vessels. A UTI that spreads to your bloodstream can cause a life-threatening emergency called urosepsis. 

In addition to pain, fever, and vomiting, sepsis can have more serious symptoms like:

• Low blood pressure

• High heart rate

• Confusion

• Rapid breathing

Urinary sepsis is a serious medical emergency and must be treated in a hospital.

UTI symptoms in the elderly

Older adults are more likely to get UTIs and often have more severe infections. In addition to the typical UTI symptoms, older adults may also experience:

• Agitation

• Confusion

• Frequent falls

UTI symptoms in children

UTIs in older children and teenagers are similar to those in adults. Older children and teens can often recognize and describe UTI symptoms. But for young children, toddlers, and babies who may not be able to communicate their symptoms, caregivers need to watch for signs of a UTI.

UTI symptoms in young children can include:

• Pain or burning with urination

• Blood in their urine or diaper

• Urinating frequently or having trouble urinating

• Urgent need to go to the bathroom

• Bedwetting or wetting their pants

• Unusual smell to their urine

• Stomachache

• Fever, vomiting, or back pain

• Increased irritability or crying

UTI symptoms in men vs. women

The urinary tract differs between men and women, which can impact the frequency of UTI symptoms. Men have a much longer urethra, making it more difficult for bacteria to reach the bladder and decreasing the likelihood of a UTI. But once UTI symptoms occur, they’re generally similar for men and women.

What causes UTIs?

UTIs occur when certain bacteria or other organisms enter your urinary tract. The most common cause of a UTI is Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. This bacteria causes more than 80% of infections outside of hospitals. 

Other types of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus or Enterococcus, and certain fungi and viruses can also cause UTIs. 

Risk factors that may make you more likely to get UTIs 

Some people are more likely to get a bacterial infection of their urinary tract. This is true if: 

• You have female internal genital anatomy. Women are about eight times more likely than men to get a UTI. 

• You have frequent sexual intercourse. A UTI isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI). But having sex increases the chance that bacteria from your skin will get into your urinary tract causing an infection. 

• You have a bladder that doesn’t empty completely. This can happen due to kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or constipation. Less commonly, this can also be caused by damage to the nerves that supply your bladder, as seen with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. 

• You have a condition that makes it easy for bacteria to grow and spread. Pregnancy, diabetes, or health problems that weaken your immune system can increase your risk of developing a UTI.

Quiz: Do you have a UTI or a STD/STI?

What other conditions can feel like a UTI?

Although UTI symptoms are usually unmistakable, other conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of a UTI. Let’s take a closer look at conditions that can be confused with a UTI.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

STIs can cause painful urination and discharge from your urethra. Common causes of STIs include:

• Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

• Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)

• Mycoplasma (Mycoplasma genitalium)

If you have symptoms of a UTI, a healthcare professional may also check for an STI. Treatment for STIs is different from that for UTIs and requires specific antibiotics.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis — inflammation of the lining of your vagina — can cause burning, itching, and discharge. While this doesn’t involve the urinary tract, the symptoms can sometimes feel similar to the burning or discomfort of a UTI. 

Common causes of vaginitis include:

• Yeast infection

• Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis)

• Contact dermatitis

• Lichen planus 

Because each condition requires different treatment, it’s important to get the right diagnosis. 

Overactive bladder

An overactive bladder causes the feeling of having to urinate often or suddenly. It can also cause increased urination at night. The main cause of an overactive bladder is when the muscles of the bladder don’t work normally. This can happen as you age or with certain conditions like diabetes, which raise your risk of UTIs.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can cause lower urinary tract symptoms, such as:

• Increased urination at night

• Urinary incontinence

• Incomplete urination

UTIs are also more likely to occur during pregnancy.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) can cause several symptoms like a UTI. In men, these include:

• Pelvic pain

• Pain with urination

• Increased urinary frequency

Severe cases may also include fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones affect both men and women. They form when different minerals and salts deposit in the urinary tract. Symptoms include:

• Urgent urination 

• Pain in the abdomen or side

• Nausea and vomiting

• Blood in the urine

Pelvic floor dysfunction

Your pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles at the bottom of your pelvis. They support the organs in your pelvis and help control their functions. When these muscles get tight or overactive it can cause many symptoms similar to a UTI including:

• Urinary frequency

• Bladder pain

• Dysuria

• Incomplete bladder emptying

• Pelvic pain

When you have UTI-like symptoms but can’t identify a medical cause, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction may be the source. 

Diabetes

Frequent urination is one of the main symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes. Unlike UTIs, this typically involves passing large amounts of urine (compared to the frequent but small volumes common with a UTI). People with diabetes may also feel very thirsty. 

Appendicitis 

Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis) is a common surgical emergency. Symptoms include:

• Pain in the lower right abdomen

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Fever 

These symptoms usually occur suddenly and aren’t typically associated with other urinary symptoms.

Cancer

Although not as common, certain cancers can mimic UTI symptoms. For example, bladder cancer can cause blood in your urine with no other symptoms. Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) can also cause blood in your urine and pain in your side.

How to diagnose a UTI

An experienced healthcare professional can often diagnose a UTI based on symptoms alone. 

Sometimes, they may also test your urine. But if the symptoms are typical for a UTI, they’ll usually recommend treatment with antibiotics right away. 

There are three types of tests for a UTI:

• Urine dipstick: A healthcare professional dips an analyzer stick into a sample of your urine in their office. It can show if there are signs of blood, white blood cells, or bacteria in your urine. The results are available right away.

• Urinalysis: Your urine sample is sent to a lab, where a specialist can look at it under a microscope. Urinalysis results usually take fewer than 24 hours and can show if there’s blood, white blood cells, bacteria, or other microbes in your urine. 

• Urine culture: This test checks whether bacteria or other microbes are growing in your urine. Results take 1 to 3 days to come back. A culture provides useful information on which treatment is best for your infection. 

If you have complicated or frequent UTIs, a healthcare professional may order additional tests or refer you to a UTI specialist. These tests may include a study like an ultrasound or CT scan to see your urinary tract. You may also have a cystoscopy, a procedure that uses a small tube to see inside your urethra and bladder. 

UTI treatment and prevention

The best treatment for a UTI is antibiotics. The specific antibiotic you need and how long you should take it depends on a few factors. These factors include the type of infection you have, the microbe causing it, and any health complications you may have.

Some common antibiotics used to treat UTIs include:

• Amoxicillin (Amoxil)

• Cephalexin (Keflex)

• Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim (Bactrim)

There are also some steps you can take to help prevent UTIs. These include:

• Practicing good hygiene — including wiping from front to back for women — to help prevent the spread of bacteria from stool.

• Drinking plenty of water to increase urination, which can help flush out bacteria.

• Avoiding some types of birth control, like spermicide, may decrease your risk of UTIs in some women.

Some studies suggest that cranberry juice and probiotics can help prevent UTIs in women. But more research is needed to see how helpful they really are.

If you develop symptoms of a UTI, it’s important to let a healthcare professional know as soon as possible so you get the right diagnosis and treatment. Leaving a UTI untreated can lead to serious complications.

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Frank Schwalbe, MD

Frank Schwalbe, MD, is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Yale School of Medicine. He has practiced anesthesiology for 30 years.

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