If you have already had a urinary tract infection, you know firsthand how unpleasant and even painful it can be. However, being able to recognize its signs and symptoms will enable you to remedy the situation quickly.

Urinary tract infections in women: symptoms, causes and treatments

If you’re suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI) and you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms, you can treat it quickly.

What is a urinary tract infection?

A UTI (cystitis) is an infection caused by micro-organisms (primarily bacteria), that invade the urinary system, which includes:

• the kidneys (which filter the blood);
• the ureters (the two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder);
• the bladder (the reservoir where urine accumulates);
• and the urethra (the tube by which urine exits the body).

Urinary tract infections are usually mild and easy to treat, but more serious types are possible. This can occur, for example, when an infection strikes the kidneys, which is called pyelonephritis—a condition that can sometimes require hospital treatment.

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

A few of the most common signs and symptoms include:

• a burning sensation when urinating;
• the need to urinate frequently;
• difficulty urinating even when you have the urge;
• leakage of urine;
• pressure or pain in the lower abdomen;
• cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine.

What are the causes for concern?

You should consult your healthcare professional at the first signs of a urinary tract infection. Left untreated, a urinary tract infection can become more serious and affect your kidneys. Consult your healthcare professional if the following symptoms occur:

• nausea;
• fever;
• lower back pain;
• chills;
• blood in your urine.
  
  

How to treat a urinary tract infection quickly?

Most urinary tract infections can be treated with antibiotics. The choice of treatment depends on the type of infection and your personal characteristics (ex.: allergies, health problems, pregnancy, etc.).

How long does it take to heal a urinary tract infection?

• Generally, the symptoms of infection will begin to improve 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
• However, it’s important to take all your antibiotics as prescribed for the entire length of the treatment, to prevent developing treatment-resistant bacteria. Severe urinary tract infections may require prolonged antibiotic treatment and occasionally even hospitalization.

How to relieve symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

Along with an antibiotic treatment, the following methods can help relieve the discomfort of a urinary tract infection:

• drink plenty of fluids to help eliminate bacteria;
• take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help relieve pain.
• apply a warm compress locally to relieve lower abdominal pain;
• Always consult your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medication to ensure it’s right for you.
  
  

Why are women more at risk of getting a urinary tract infection than men?

Women are more likely than men to suffer from UTIs. The reason is simple: a woman's urethra is shorter than a man's, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. What’s more, because the anus is close to the urethra, anal and rectal bacteria are close enough to risk getting an infection. For example, wiping from back to front after a bowel movement can increase your risk of getting a urinary tract infection. The same is true when wiping after having sex.

Some women are also more at risk of having a urinary tract infection, these include:

• pregnant women;
• postmenopausal women;​
• elderly women;
• women with a urinary tract malformation;
• women with diabetes;​
• women with a compromised immune system;
• women who’ve had a catheter inserted into their urethra;
• women who wear a diaphragm.

How to tell a urinary tract infection from vaginitis?

While both conditions can have similar symptoms, vaginitis is more of an inflammation of the vagina, while a UTI affects the urinary tract.

The primary differences between a urinary tract infection and vaginitis:

Symptom / Characteristic	Urinary tract infection (cystitis)	Vaginitis
Location of pain	Frequent urge to urinate, lower abdominal or back pain.	Itching, burning, or discomfort in the vagina.
Burning sensation	Burning when urinating (urination)	Vaginal burning, especially while at rest or when touched.
Vaginal discharge	None	Frequent discharge: white, yellowish, lumpy.
Odour	Urine may have a strong or unpleasant odour.	Unusual vaginal odour (but sometimes none at all).
Frequency of urge to urinate	Very frequent, sometimes with very little urine.	No significant change.
Pain during intercourse	Sometimes, but not generally.	Common in vaginitis.
Fever / Chills	Possible if the infection is more serious (kidney damage).	Rare

 

Why are pregnant women more at risk of urinary tract infections?

Pregnant women are more likely to develop a UTI because the foetus exerts pressure on the urinary tract and because of hormonal changes linked to pregnancy. Pregnant women are also more likely to develop a serious urinary tract infection. UTIs in pregnant women must be treated promptly to avoid serious complications for both the mother and the unborn child.

Can a urinary tract infection heal on its own?

In rare cases, a UTI may resolve itself, especially if the bacteria haven't spread far enough and the woman drinks plenty of water to flush them out. But remember: a UTI should never be ignored. It's always better to see your healthcare professional to avoid risks and potential complications.

What are the complications of an untreated UTI?

A urinary tract infection should never be taken lightly. Several complications can occur if it’s not treated properly and promptly. These include:

1. Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)

• If the infection spreads to the kidneys, it can cause acute pyelonephritis, a serious condition.
• Symptoms: high fever, lower back pain, nausea, vomiting.
• Risks: kidney abscess, septicemia (generalized infection).
  
  

2. Sepsis (generalized infection)

• An untreated UTI can spread to the blood, causing sepsis (or septic shock), a life-threatening emergency.
• Symptoms: drop in blood pressure, high fever, confusion, rapid heart rate.
  
  

3. Recurrent or chronic urinary tract infections

• An untreated or poorly treated UTI can reoccur frequently.
• Over the long term, this can lead to chronic inflammation of the bladder or kidneys.
  
  

4. Permanent kidney damage

• In cases of repeated or severe kidney infections, there may be kidney damage, which can lead to kidney failure.
  
  

5. Specific complications depending on the situation:

• In pregnant women:

• Increased risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, or low birth weight.
  
  

• In the elderly:

• There are often atypical symptoms (like confusion or falls), which can delay diagnosis.
• Greater risk of sepsis.
  
  

• In men:

• An untreated UTI can develop into prostatitis (infection of the prostate), which is painful and difficult to treat. Note: in men, a UTI is always considered a complicated situation, and as such, it must be treated by a doctor.
  
  

How to prevent urinary tract infections?

There are several measures that can be taken to prevent UTIs. Here are a few that have proven effective:

• Drink plenty of water to help flush out bacteria.
• Urinate when you feel the need; don’t hold it in.
• After a bowel movement, always wipe from front to back.
• Urinate after sex to help flush out bacteria.
• Avoid scented feminine hygiene products; they can irritate the urethra.
• After swimming, change into dry underwear quickly to prevent the spread of bacteria.
• For women who regularly suffer from UTIs, small doses of antibiotics can be taken as a preventative measure. If you’ve had three or more UTIs this year, discuss this option with your doctor.
  
  

Can cranberry juice really prevent urinary tract infections?

Cranberry juice is often touted as a natural remedy for preventing UTIs, especially in women. The reason is that cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), which are thought to prevent bacteria (especially E. coli) from sticking to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract. If the bacteria don't stick, it’s easier to flush them out when you urinate.

Is it really effective? 

• Cranberry juice may help prevent some UTIs, but it’s not considered a treatment Its effectiveness is modest and variable at best.
• Cranberry juice is not a substitute for medical treatment.
• It can be high in sugar, so it’s not recommended for diabetics.
• It may interact with certain types of medication, especially blood thinners.
• Its capsule form would be more effective than juice.

While some studies have demonstrated effectiveness, the results remain insufficient to conclude that cranberry juice is an effective way to prevent urinary tract infections.

What can your pharmacist do about a urinary tract infection?

If you think you have a urinary tract infection, don’t hesitate to speak to your pharmacist for answers to all your questions. Your healthcare professional can answer all your questions and, depending on certain criteria, can:

• Prescribe medication to treat a UTI in women if you’ve received treatment for a UTI no more than once in the last six months and no more than twice in the past 12 months;
• A screening test for UTIs may also be performed at your pharmacy.

If you think you have a urinary tract infection, speak to your pharmacist for advice.