Urinary Tract Infection In Women


What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is when germs get inside your urinary tract. Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Urine is made in your kidneys, and flows from the ureters to the bladder. Urine exits your body from your bladder through your urethra. A UTI is more common in your lower urinary tract, which includes your bladder and urethra. A UTI that travels up into your kidneys is called pyelonephritis. Ask your caregiver for more information about pyelonephritis.
Picture of the urinary system

What causes a urinary tract infection?

A UTI is caused by bacteria (germs) that enters your urethra and travel up to your bladder. The bacteria that commonly causes a UTI is Escherichia coli (E coli). Your urethra is close to your anus, the opening through which your bowel movements (BMs) leave your body. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter your urinary tract. Most bacteria that enters your urinary tract are washed out when you urinate. If the bacteria stay in your urinary tract, you may get an infection. The following may increase your risk of getting a UTI:
  • Health problems: Health problems, such as diabetes (high blood sugar) and sickle cell disease may increase your risk for a UTI. Obesity (weighing more than caregivers suggest) may also increase your risk. Ask your caregiver for more information about health problems that can increase your UTI risk.
  • Past UTI: If you have had a UTI before, your risk of getting another infection increases.
  • Pregnancy: When you are pregnant, changes in your body may increase your risk for a UTI. Your UTI risk also increases with each pregnancy.
  • Menopause: After menopause, body changes and decreased hormone (body chemical) levels may increase your UTI risk. Menopause is when you no longer have a monthly period.
  • Sexual intercourse: Recent, or frequent sexual intercourse (sex) may increase your risk for a UTI. If your sex partner has an infection, you are more likely to get an infection. Using a diaphragm or spermicide (types of birth control) also increases your risk.
  • Urinary tract problems: If you were born with urinary tract problems, your risk for having a UTI is higher. You are at risk if you cannot empty your bladder completely, or you have a narrow urinary tract. Needing to use a catheter (thin tube) to urinate may cause bacteria to enter your urethra and bladder. Kidney stones or growths in your urinary tract increases your risk for a UTI. Having surgery on your urinary tract also increases your UTI risk.

  • What are the signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

    You may have any of the following:
    • Urinating more than what is normal for you. You may wake often from sleep to urinate. You may also feel the need to urinate right away.
    • Pain or burning when you urinate.
    • Pain or pressure in your lower abdomen (stomach).
    • Bad smelling urine.
    • Blood in your urine.
    • Leaking urine.
    • Fever (high body temperature).

    How is a urinary tract infection diagnosed?

    Your caregiver will ask about your signs and symptoms. He may press on your stomach, sides, and back to check if you feel pain. Your caregiver may treat your UTI after learning your signs and symptoms. You may also need the following:
    • Urine test: A sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab for tests. Testing may be done on your urine to learn what germ is causing your infection. Your caregiver may give you a special wipe and clean cup. Use the wipe to clean your skin around the opening you urinate from. Urinate into the clean cup. Put the lid on the cup. Do not touch the inside of the cup or lid. Give the urine sample to your caregiver.
    • Imaging tests: You may need imaging tests if your UTI is not getting better, or you have a repeat UTI. Imaging tests are pictures of your urinary tract that may show if your infection is in your kidneys. Imaging tests may also show if you have damage or other problems in your urinary tract. You may be given dye before certain imaging tests. The dye is used to help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies.

    How is a urinary tract infection treated?

    Treatment for your UTI depends on how serious (bad) your infection and symptoms are. With treatment, your symptoms, such as pain and urinating often, may go away. Treatment may also prevent the infection from moving into your kidneys, and causing a serious health problem. Treatment may include the following:
    • Medicines:

      • Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help kill the germs causing your infection.
      • Hormone medicine: You may be given hormone medicine if you are in menopause. Hormone medicine may help prevent a repeat UTI.

    What are the risks of a urinary tract infection?

    • You may have an allergy to the medicines used to treat your UTI. Medicines may cause nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or diarrhea (loose BMs). Even after taking medicine to treat your UTI, your infection may come back. If you are taking hormone medicine, you may have breast tenderness (sore when touched). Hormone medicine may also cause light vaginal bleeding (spotting).
    • Without treatment for your UTI, your infection and symptoms may get worse. The germs may travel to your kidneys, causing pyelonephritis. This can be a very serious condition, and you may need treatment in the hospital. The infection can spread to your blood, which can be life-threatening. Talk to your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your infection, treatment, or care.

    How can I prevent getting a urinary tract infection?

    • Do not hold your urine. Urinate as soon as you feel you have to.
    • Do not use a diaphragm or spermicide for birth control. Ask your caregiver for information about other kinds of birth control.
    • Drink more liquids each day to help wash out your urinary tract. Women age 19 years and older should drink about 2.2 liters of liquid each day (about 9 eight-ounce cups). Good choices for most people to drink include water, juice, and milk. Your caregiver may suggest you drink cranberry juice. The high fruit acid levels in cranberry juice may help prevent another UTI. You may also be able to take cranberry pills if you cannot drink the juice. Ask your caregiver how much liquid you should drink each day.

    Where can I find more information?

    Contact the following:
    • American Urological Association Foundation
      1000 Corporate Boulevard
      Linthicum , MD 21090
      Phone: 1- 410 - 689-3700
      Phone: 1- 866 - 746-4282
      Web Address: http://www.urologyhealth.org
    • American Academy of Family Physicians
      11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
      Leawood , KS 66211-2680
      Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
      Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
      Web Address: http://www.aafp.org

    When should I call my caregiver?

    Call your caregiver if:
    • You have a fever.
    • You have blood in your urine.
    • You have white or yellow discharge from your vagina.
    • You have new, or worse pain or burning when you urinate.
    • You leak urine, or have to urinate more often than normal.
    • Your urine looks cloudy, or has a bad smell.

    When should I seek immediate help?

    Seek care immediately or call 911 if:
    • You are urinating very small amounts, or not at all.
    • You begin vomiting.
    • You feel like you are not emptying all of your bladder when you urinate.
    • You have a high fever with shaking chills.
    • You have side or back pain that is getting worse.

    Care Agreement

    You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
    Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
    The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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