Urinary tract infections: Everything you need to know

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a painful infection that anyone can suffer from. Knowing what they are, and likely causes, can help you to prevent them.

A UTI is an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary system.

Your urinary system is made up of your kidneys, ureters (the tubes which join your kidneys to bladder) and the urethra (the tiny tube you pee from).

The most common UTI occurs in the bladder and is known as cystitis. However, UTIs can also occur in the urethra (urethritis), the kidneys (pyelonephritis) or a combination of these.

UTIs occur when bacteria that normally lives in your bowel make their way from your anus or the surrounding skin into your urethra and infect your urinary system.

Anyone can develop a UTI, but women and people with a vagina are more at risk than men and people with a penis. This is due to the urethra being shorter and closer to the anus, making it much easier for bacteria to make its way into the urinary tract. Older adults, plus babies still wearing nappies, also have a higher risk of infection.

Other risk factors include:

• being sexually active
• previous UTIs
• pregnancy
• poor hygiene
• menopause
• health conditions (such as diabetes, structural problems in the urinary tract, incontinence or living with a urinary catheter)
• prostate problems (an enlarged prostate gland can cause the bladder to only partially empty, increasing the risk of infection).

UTIs are treatable with antibiotics and, in some cases, can even clear up on their own.

Be sure to ask your GP if the antibiotic prescribed impacts the efficacy of your contraceptive.

Bacteria can move around during sex and make their way upwards into your urinary tract.¹ One way to lower your risk is showering before sex.

According to Dr Chelsie McMullin, Bupa Medical Advisor and GP, “It’s important to remember that a new onset of a UTI after sex (especially with a new partner) can also be due to sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea”.

“Discuss this with your doctor when deciding on investigation and treatment for your UTI.”

While you can have sex with a UTI, there are several reasons you might want to take a break from it.

UTIs can be painful, uncomfortable and distressing at the best of times. Intercourse could cause further irritation and exacerbate symptoms.

“For most people, the thought of having sex whilst they have a UTI is not a pleasant one due to the discomfort,” says Dr McMullin. “As with any infection, it’s best to rest that area until the infection has completely resolved to allow adequate recovery and avoid reinfection or worsening symptoms.”

The most common symptoms of a UTI include (but are not limited to):

• a burning sensation while urinating
• frequent urination, even if it’s only to pass a few drops
• feeling a full bladder despite already urinating
• bloody, cloudy or smelly urine
• pain and cramping in the groin or lower abdomen.²

If the infection moves to your kidneys, symptoms can include:

• high fever and chills
• back pain
• lower abdominal (loin) pain
• vomiting

If you tend to get UTIs after sex, one way to prevent infection is to pee immediately after intercourse.

“You can reduce the chances of infection by always emptying your bladder after any sexual contact,” says Dr McMullin.

Experts recommend being hydrated before sex, so you’re more likely to pass a lot of urine after it, which helps to flush any bacteria out that may have been pushed into your urethra during intercourse.

Other ways to reduce your risk of a UTI include:

• not delaying going to the toilet when you need to
• staying hydrated
• wearing cotton underwear
• always wiping from front to back
• washing between your legs every day using only water
• avoiding constipation
• avoiding spermicide-containing products, particularly with a diaphragm.

You may have heard that cranberry juice can prevent UTIs.³ However, Dr McMullin advises against relying on it as a form of treatment.

“Whilst this was best practice up until a few years ago, cranberry juice is no longer recommended to help treat or prevent UTIs. In fact, it can even interact with some antibiotics and reduce their effectiveness,” she says.

If you’re looking for something extra to help with the discomfort, Dr McMullin says an over-the-counter urinary alkaliniser, such as Ural, is a great option while you’re waiting for your antibiotics to kick in and treat the infection.

“Urinary alkalinisers change the pH of the urine, which reduces the burning sensation and discomfort associated with UTIs. However, it’s important to continue taking your full course of antibiotics, even if you feel better,” says Dr McMullin.

If you ever experience symptoms associated with a UTI, or feel like something’s not quite right, don’t delay in seeking medical attention.