Key takeaways:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition for women. About half of all women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime.
UTI symptoms in women include burning when you pee and a strong or frequent urge to pee.
Symptoms of a more-severe UTI include fever, chills, vomiting, and pain in your back. You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common health problem. About half of all women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime. A UTI happens when bacteria from the skin or rectum get into the urinary tract. This can lead to infection and inflammation in the urinary tract.
UTIs are most common in women who have a vulva and vagina. But they can happen in women with other types of genitals as well. Every woman’s anatomy is unique, which means some women are more prone to infections than others.
Some women may have recurrent UTI, defined as three or more UTIs in a year. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent these infections. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about UTIs.
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What are the symptoms of UTI in women?
Symptoms of UTI in women are similar to UTI symptoms in most adults.
Symptoms often include:
Dysuria (a burning sensation when you pee)
Lower belly or pelvic pain
A constant urge to urinate
A strong urge to pee immediately
Cloudy or bloody urine
Foul-smelling urine
Sometimes a UTI can become serious, and you’ll need to seek treatment immediately. Signs of a serious infection include:
Fever
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain in your lower back or side
What causes UTIs in women?
A UTI is caused by bacteria from your skin or rectum entering the urinary tract and causing an infection. Bacteria can enter and thrive in the urinary tract for a variety of reasons.
Common reasons women may get a UTI include:
Holding in urine for an extended period of time
Being dehydrated
Engaging in sexual activity
Using unlubricated condoms
The female urinary system
Depending on your anatomy, you may be more or less likely to get UTIs. People with female genitals are more likely than other people to get UTIs. That’s because in women, the urethra (the tube that passes urine from the bladder out of the body) is shorter and closer to the rectum. This means that bacteria don’t have as far to travel when they enter the urinary tract. That makes it much easier for an infection to start.
Types of urinary tract infections
There are a few different ways to categorize urinary tract infections. UTIs in women are most commonly categorized based on where the infection occurs and how complicated the infection is.
Here are common types of UTIs in women:
Uncomplicated UTIs (Simple UTIs): These occur in otherwise healthy women. These affect the bladder and are the most common type of UTI. Simple UTIs are typically treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Complicated UTIs: Complicated UTIs occur when something makes the infection harder to treat or more likely to cause complications. Examples include pregnancy, kidney stones, urinary catheters, or conditions that affect the immune system. Complicated UTIs often require longer treatment or additional testing.
Cystitis (bladder infection): Cystitis is a UTI that affects the bladder. Symptoms often include burning with urination, frequent urination, pelvic discomfort, and a strong urge to urinate.
Pyelonephritis (kidney infection): This happens when bacteria travel from the bladder to the kidneys. Kidney infections are more serious and can cause fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the back or side. These infections sometimes require hospitalization or intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
Recurrent UTIs: Some women experience repeated infections. Recurrent UTIs are usually defined as three infections within a year.
What are the risk factors for UTI in women?
There are certain factors that make you more likely to get a UTI. Possible causes of UTI in females include:
Having a condition that affects the immune system (such as HIV or diabetes)
Being sexually active
Having had a UTI in the past
Having a heavier body weight
Using a urinary catheter
Experiencing anything that blocks the flow of urine, such as a kidney stone
Using spermicide as birth control
Going through menopause
How do you diagnose a UTI in women?
If you think you might have a UTI, it’s best to get it checked out. Your healthcare team can help confirm the diagnosis with some quick and easy tests.
Urine tests
During your visit, a healthcare professional will ask about your symptoms and get a urine sample. Your urine will be tested in the office for white blood cells and nitrites, which are produced by bacteria. Both of these are signs of an infection. Both understanding the symptoms you’re having and reviewing your urine test results will help them confirm the diagnosis.
Your urine sample might also get sent to a lab to see if any bacteria grow from it. This test can help make sure you get the right antibiotic for your infection. This is usually needed if:
You’ve started antibiotics, but your symptoms aren’t getting better.
Your care team thinks you have a more serious infection, such as pyelonephritis (infection of the kidneys).
You have recurrent UTIs.
Other tests
You may also need to have imaging tests if you have other symptoms or if you don’t get better with antibiotic treatment. These tests may include:
CT scan: This looks for any blockage to your urine flow.
Cystoscopy: This looks inside the bladder.
Ultrasound: This looks for any problems with the structure of the kidneys or urinary tract.
Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG): A VCUG tracks how urine flows through the urinary tract.
How can you tell if it’s a UTI or another type of infection?
Sometimes it can be hard to tell what type of infection you have based on symptoms alone. Your care team will make sure your symptoms aren’t from a different type of infection. Infections that can look like a UTI include sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and yeast infections.
Both UTIs and other vaginal infections can cause burning when you pee. But vaginal infections are more likely to have symptoms like:
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal itching
Vaginal irritation
Are UTIs dangerous in women?
Usually a UTI isn’t serious and can be treated easily. But, sometimes, a UTI can be dangerous. If a UTI that affects the bladder (cystitis) isn’t treated soon enough or isn’t treated with the right antibiotic, it can travel to the kidneys (pyelonephritis). This is a more serious infection that may require hospitalization. It can also cause long-term damage to the kidneys.
UTI in pregnancy
During pregnancy, even simple UTIs can be concerning. Cystitis in pregnancy can cause harm to both the mother and the baby.
Complications of a UTI during pregnancy include:
Preterm labor
Sepsis
Urine samples are a part of prenatal visits, so you can get checked for a UTI. Sometimes people may need to be retested after treatment to be sure the infection is gone.
Although it may sound scary, the good news is that UTI in pregnancy is treatable. Several antibiotics work well against UTI in pregnancy. Just be sure to follow your prescriber’s advice and finish all of your medication.
How do you treat a UTI in women?
The treatment for a simple UTI is a short course of antibiotics, such as:
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
Trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
Fosfomycin (Monurol)
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
How long you’ll need to take the antibiotic depends on which one you’re prescribed. The average length of time that you’ll need to take the medication can vary, usually between 1 and 7 days.
Most symptoms start to go away after 1 or 2 days of treatment with antibiotics. But it’s important to take all of the medication. Otherwise the infection could come back. Don’t save any pills for later or share them. If you experience side effects from your antibiotics and can’t continue taking them, let a healthcare professional know.
Longer treatment is needed if your infection travels beyond the bladder and becomes a kidney infection. In some cases, you may even need treatment with IV antibiotics in the hospital. This is commonly the case with a UTI in pregnancy.
Can a UTI go away on its own?
It’s possible for a simple UTI to go away on its own, but it’s difficult to predict when this will happen. That’s why healthcare professionals recommend treating UTIs with antibiotics when you begin having symptoms. This is especially true if you’re:
Living with a chronic medical condition (like diabetes or kidney disease)
An older adult (65 years or older)
Experiencing a fever or vomiting
Can you prevent a UTI in women?
UTIs can be very uncomfortable. If you’ve ever had one, you’ll probably want to know how to keep it from coming back. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help prevent UTIs:
Change your birth control method. If you use a spermicide-based birth control, consider switching to a different method.
Improve your bathroom habits. Recommendations include wiping from front to back after you pee, not holding urine when you feel the need to go, and urinating right after sex. The evidence to support these tips isn’t robust, but there’s no harm in following these habits.
Try vaginal estrogen. Vaginal estrogen treatment after menopause can help prevent UTIs.
Consider antiseptics. Antiseptics, like methenamine hippurate, can help prevent bacteria growth in the urine. This may be helpful for UTI prevention.
Drink more water. If you drink less than 1.5 L of water a day, doubling your fluid intake can reduce your risk of repeat UTIs by as much as 50%.
Natural alternatives for UTI prevention
You may also consider natural alternatives or supplements for UTI prevention. These include:
Probiotics: Probiotics may be useful in UTI prevention, but the evidence is mixed. More research is needed to tease out which probiotics might be most beneficial.
Cranberry: Cranberry juice or supplements may also help prevent UTIs, but the evidence is weak.
Antibiotics for UTI prevention
If you keep getting UTIs, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional. You may need preventive antibiotics. Some experts recommend taking a daily antibiotic for several months to prevent recurrent UTI.
If you experience UTIs frequently after sex, taking an antibiotic each time you’re sexually active may also be an option.
When to seek medical attention
If you think you may have a UTI, it’s a good idea to contact a healthcare professional. To clear the infection and prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body, most UTIs need antibiotics.
You should seek medical care if you:
Have symptoms of a UTI that last longer than 1 to 2 days
Have recurrent UTIs (multiple infections within a year)
Are pregnant
Have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes or kidney disease
Notice blood in your urine
Don’t feel better after starting antibiotics
If you develop symptoms of a more serious infection — such as fever, chills, vomiting, or pain in your back or side — seek medical care right away.
More information and resources
If you’re looking for more information, take a look at these resources:
Frequently asked questions
No, UTIs aren’t contagious. You can’t spread a urinary tract infection to another person through touching, sharing a bathroom, or other casual contact. Most UTIs develop when bacteria from your own skin or digestive tract enter the urinary tract. Sexual activity can sometimes introduce bacteria into the urethra, but the infection itself isn’t passed between partners.
Yes, men can also get UTIs. UTIs become more likely in men as they get older — especially if they have conditions that affect urine flow, such as an enlarged prostate. Men are at increased risk of UTIs if they have a weakened immune system, kidney stones, or procedures involving the urinary tract.
The best way to get rid of a UTI quickly is to see a healthcare professional and start antibiotics right away. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll feel better. Also, drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
No, UTIs aren’t contagious. You can’t spread a urinary tract infection to another person through touching, sharing a bathroom, or other casual contact. Most UTIs develop when bacteria from your own skin or digestive tract enter the urinary tract. Sexual activity can sometimes introduce bacteria into the urethra, but the infection itself isn’t passed between partners.
Yes, men can also get UTIs. UTIs become more likely in men as they get older — especially if they have conditions that affect urine flow, such as an enlarged prostate. Men are at increased risk of UTIs if they have a weakened immune system, kidney stones, or procedures involving the urinary tract.
The best way to get rid of a UTI quickly is to see a healthcare professional and start antibiotics right away. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll feel better. Also, drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
The bottom line
Most women will get a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime. So, if you notice the telltale signs of burning and an urgency when you pee, don’t hesitate to contact a healthcare professional.
UTIs are common, but treatment is easy. Usually a simple course of antibiotics will do the trick. Although some UTIs will resolve on their own, complications can occur. So, it's best to take action sooner rather than later. And the good news is that you can help prevent UTIs with some simple steps, like staying hydrated and practicing good bathroom habits.
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References
Aggarwal, N., et al. (2022). Recurrent urinary tract infections. StatPearls.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2022). What causes UTIs & UI?
Gupta, K., et al. (2011). International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women: A 2010 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Habak, P. J., et al. (2022). Urinary tract infection in pregnancy. StatPearls.
Hooton, T. M., et al. (2018). Effect of increased daily water intake in premenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024). Bladder Infection (urinary tract infection—UTI) in adults.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024). Definition & facts of bladder infection in adults.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024). Diagnosis of bladder infection in adults.
Raz, R. (2001). Hormone replacement therapy or prophylaxis in postmenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infection. The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Sihra, N., et al. (2018). Nonantibiotic prevention and management of recurrent urinary tract infection. Nature Reviews Urology.
Urology Care Foundation. (2025). What is a urinary tract infection (UTI) in adults?
