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Miguel Ayala, MD

Medically reviewed by:
Miguel Ayala, MD

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra. Most of the time, UTIs involve infection in the bladder and urethra. Both men and women can get UTIs, but they are more common in women than men. Read this article for everything you need to know.

What does a UTI feel like?

If you are wondering, “what does a UTI feel like?”, knowing what to look out for can be good. UTIs may present with several symptoms and can feel different from person to person. Some common UTI symptoms include:

  • Burning while peeing
  • A strong urge to pee that doesn’t go away
  • Peeing more often than normal
  • Cloudy urine
  • Foul smelling urine

How do you get a UTI?

UTIs typically occur when bacteria get into the urinary tract through the urethra. However, there are other possible UTI causes, which can include:

  • When the bladder is infected. This is most commonly caused by the E. coli bacteria
  • Having sex that results in a bladder infection
  • When the urethra becomes infected

Different things can be increased risk factors for how you get a UTI, and can include:

  • Being a woman
  • Being sexually active
  • Taking certain kinds of birth control
  • Decline in estrogen levels that can happen after menopause

Are UTIs common?

If you are wondering, “Are UTIs common?” the answer is yes. UTIs are a common condition that is estimated to affect up to 40% of women at some point in their lives. Because of this, it is important to be aware of the things that can cause UTIs, the symptoms, and what to do to help prevent UTIs from happening.

How to test for a UTI

There are several ways that you can test for UTIs. Some of these methods can include:

  • A urine sample analysis that a health care provider can analyze. The sample will be tested for various cells and bacteria
  • A separate lab analysis that looks for bacteria in the urine
  • Imaging, like an ultrasound, CT scan, and/or an MRI that can look for structural problems in the urinary tract
  • A cystoscopy, which uses a thin tube with a camera to examine the bladder, may be done if UTIs are frequent or complicated

Self-diagnosis can also be a helpful tool in testing for and diagnosing UTIs if you pay attention to symptoms. If you begin to have symptoms of a UTI, reporting these symptoms to your health care provider can help achieve a quicker diagnosis. If you are experiencing symptoms or want to book an appointment with a doctor to test further for UTIs, find a doctor today with WellMed.

Frequently asked questions about UTIs

How long do UTIs last?

UTI duration can vary. It is important to get treatment as quickly as possible to ensure that they go away faster. Typically, UTIs will go away three to five days after starting treatment. Treatment options can vary, but most commonly, UTIs are treated with a round of antibiotics. It is important to complete the whole round of antibiotics to ensure the bacterial infection goes away. If you do not complete the whole round of antibiotics, it may end up causing more health concerns, like antibiotic resistance, which can be detrimental to health in the long run.

Are UTIs contagious?

No, UTIs are not contagious. Some people think that because sexual activity can increase your risk of getting UTIs, this type of activity can also spread UTIs. This is not the case. UTIs cannot be passed through any kind of physical contact. A bacterial infection often causes UTIs, and UTIs cannot be passed from person to person. UTIs can sometimes happen if bacteria enter the urinary tract, such as when wiping from back to front after using the bathroom. Wiping from front to back can help lower this risk. For this reason, it is important to educate women on hygiene practices.

Is a UTI an STD?

No, UTIs are not sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs can increase the risk of UTIs, but they are not the same. If you have an STD, it is important to consult your health care provider about treatment and next steps. This will also help to reduce the risk of the unnecessary contractions of UTIs. There are many different kinds of STDs, and they can all be transmitted via different kinds of sexual activity. To know if you have an STD or a UTI, it is crucial to have comprehensive testing done.

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