Urinary tract infection in women: symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention advice

Urinary tract infection after intercourse

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that can be very troublesome. It is most common for women to get a urinary tract infection, but men can also be affected. In this article, we will focus on urinary tract infection in women. You can read about urinary tract infection in men here.

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Are you experiencing common urinary tract infection symptoms? With us at Recetas Medicas, you can get quick treatment by answering a few questions and getting a prescription for antibiotics. The service is suitable for you who are female and have reached the age of 15.

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What is a urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract that affects approximately half of all women at some point in their lives. It is most often caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, especially the bacteria E. coli and S. saprophyticus that are naturally found in the gut. The reason women are more at risk of UTI than men is because their urethra is shorter and closer to the rectum, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Urinary tract infection is also referred to as cystitis or cystitis, which means inflammation of the bladder.

Common symptoms of urinary tract infection in women

Common symptoms of a urinary tract infection are that you often feel the need to urinate and that it may sting or hurt when you urinate. This is because the urethra is inflamed. Sometimes it can feel like you need to pee all the time. Some may also feel sick and have pain in the lower part of the stomach. The urine may be cloudy and smelly but not always. You may feel that you are not emptying your bladder properly and have difficulty holding on. Note that you do not need to have all the signs to have a urinary tract infection, but only some of these symptoms may occur.

If you have at least two newly added symptoms, that it hurts when you urinate, urges and frequent bladder emptying in the absence of other problems in the lower abdomen, then the probability is over 90% that you have suffered from a urinary tract infection. If you experience these problems, you can get fast, safe and flexible help here at Recetas Medicas, without a physical visit to a medical center or a video call. Fill out our health form here for treatment within 15 minutes.

Why do you get a urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter and multiply in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is covered by:

• The kidneys
• Renal pelvis
• The ureters
• The bladder
• The urethra

Infections affecting the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) are often called cystitis/cystitis or lower urinary tract infection. If the infection spreads to the upper urinary tract (kidneys and renal pelvis), it is called pyelonephritis, pyelonephritis, or upper urinary tract infection. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious condition that requires physical assessment. Contact a health center or emergency clinic immediately if you suspect that you have suffered from renal pelvis inflammation. Seek care at the emergency department if the health center is closed.

Common causes of urinary tract infection

• Bacteria that have entered the urethra: The most common bacteria that causes UTI is Escherichia coli, better known as E.coli. Although E.coli occurs naturally in the gut and is usually harmless there, it can cause problems when it enters the urinary tract. To reduce the risk of bacteria finding their way into the urethra, you should always wipe from front to back when visiting the toilet, urinate after sexual activity, and drink plenty of water to regularly flush out the urinary tract.
• Shorter urethra in women: Women have a significantly shorter urethra than men, which leads to a more direct path into the bladder. This shorter distance means bacteria have an easier and faster route to travel, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections in women.
• Increased risk during intercourse: It is not unusual to get a urinary tract infection after intercourse. Bacteria that are naturally present in the genitalia of both men and women can be moved towards the opening of the urethra in connection with sexual intercourse. This can result in the bacteria entering the urethra and then causing an infection when they spread to the bladder. It is therefore recommended that you always urinate after sexual activity so that any bacteria that have entered can be washed out.
• Increased risk during pregnancy: Pregnant women are at increased risk of urinary tract infection due to, among other things, hormonal changes. These hormonal changes can affect the functioning of the urinary tract and the growing uterus can compress the urinary tract, which can impede the flow of urine and thus create an environment where bacteria thrive.

Treatment of urinary tract infection in women

The most common treatment for a urinary tract infection is antibiotics, which kill the bacteria that caused the infection. It is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics to ensure that the infection clears up completely. If you have moderate or severe complaints, you can get help by completing our health form for assessment and possible prescription by a specialist doctor.

Sometimes a urinary tract infection in women can heal on its own within a week. If you have minor problems, you can therefore wait, drink plenty of water to flush out the bacteria and take painkillers if necessary.

Antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infection: How fast does it work?

Antibiotics for urinary tract infections usually begin to work within 1-2 days of starting treatment. The symptoms will then begin to subside but it is important that you complete the full course to prevent the urinary tract infection from returning.

Can urinary tract infections be prevented?

There are certain factors that increase the risk of urinary tract infection, such as intercourse, diabetes and fragile mucous membranes that are common after menopause. To prevent and reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections, the following measures can be taken:

• Hygiene: Wash the abdomen with care and preferably not more often than once a day. If you wash often, and especially with soap, it can lead to skin and mucous membranes becoming dehydrated and you becoming more susceptible to bacterial attack. When you wash and dry yourself, remember that it should always be done from front to back, this to reduce the risk of intestinal bacteria reaching the urethra.
• Peeing after sex: Some get a urinary tract infection after intercourse. To avoid this, you should try to urinate immediately after having sex.
• Drink plenty of water: Drink plenty of fluids so that you urinate regularly. In this way, you help the bladder to flush through.
• Empty the bladder properly: Try to empty the bladder completely every time you urinate so that there is no urine left in the bladder. If it's difficult, you can try walking around a bit after you pee and then try again.

When should you seek care for a urinary tract infection?

If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection and show signs of a more serious infection, such as a high fever, chills or back pain, you should seek emergency care. Untreated urinary tract infection can spread to the kidneys and cause pyelonephritis, which is a serious condition. We also recommend that you contact your health center if you have blood in your urine or get several recurring urinary tract infections for a short period as this requires further investigation. If you are unsure, you can always contact us for further advice.

Urinary tract infection in pregnant women and children

If you are pregnant or have a child showing symptoms of a urinary tract infection, it is recommended to seek care as soon as possible. It is important that you do not wait to seek care, but seek physical care for sampling and treatment. Symptoms of urinary tract infection in children can mean different things, and for pregnant women, urinary tract infections can cause complications for both the mother and the unborn child. Therefore, it is important to get the right treatment as soon as possible, to relieve the symptoms and prevent possible complications. In pregnant women, urinary tract infections should always be treated.

Common questions & answers about urinary tract infections in women

Is urinary tract infection contagious during intercourse?

Urinary tract infection is not transmitted through sexual intercourse. On the other hand, the risk of urinary tract infection increases when you have intercourse, as bacteria in the area can settle at the mouth of the urethra and spread upwards. Even spermicides in combination with contraceptives such as condoms and pessaries can increase the risk of urinary tract infection in you as a woman. It is therefore important to try to urinate immediately after each time you have intercourse.

How long can you go with an untreated urinary tract infection?

In the case of a urinary tract infection, symptoms usually subside within three days, and approximately 30 percent of affected women find that their symptoms disappear within a week without treatment with antibiotics. However, it is important not to leave a urinary tract infection untreated for too long. Although the symptoms may disappear after a few days, if symptoms persist, there is a risk that the infection may spread to the kidneys. If your symptoms are not temporary, you can get help from a doctor who will prescribe antibiotics to cure the urinary tract infection.

What could it be if it's not a urinary tract infection?

Catarrh of the urethra, also called urethritis, has symptoms reminiscent of a urinary tract infection. Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra that can cause a burning pain, burning when urinating and sometimes also discharge. This condition can be caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, but can also occur as a residual symptom from a healed urinary tract infection. In addition to urethritis, irritation in the urethra or other gynecological ailments can also be behind the problems. It is important to contact your gynecologist or doctor at the health center if you suspect urethritis in order to diagnose and treat the condition.

Why do I have blood in my urine?

A symptom of a urinary tract infection may be that you urinate blood. In most cases, it is usually harmless and goes away when the urinary tract infection is healed. However, we recommend that you contact your healthcare center if you get blood in your urine, as in some cases it can be a sign of a more serious condition.

It stings when I pee, is it a urinary tract infection?

One of the most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) is that you often feel the need to urinate and that it may sting or hurt when you urinate. This is because the urethra is inflamed. Sometimes it can feel like you need to pee all the time.

Is there any home remedy for urinary tract infection?

There are many home remedies for urinary tract infection. When the symptoms start, it is good to drink a lot of water. Place a heating pad or a heating pad on the lower part of the abdomen where you are in pain. Cranberry juice is a classic home remedy for urinary tract infection. However, the research results on cranberry juice as a UTI treatment are inconclusive and are therefore not a general recommendation.

Is there anything over the counter for a urinary tract infection?

There are over-the-counter medicines at the pharmacy that can relieve the symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as painkillers, but they do not treat the infection itself. If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection, you can get an assessment and treatment for your urinary tract infection here online from one of our specialist doctors.

Last updated: 2024-03-24