How do I know if I have a UTI?

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

More than half of all women will experience a bladder or urinary tract infection in their lifetime. And almost as many women will experience a second one.

So do you have a UTI?

The answer most often depends on two factors: symptoms and test results, explains Dr. Carilyn Van Kalsbeek, an Avera family medicine physician.

While UTIs are common, they also cause symptoms similar to those of constipation, overactive bladder and genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Cloudy pee, for instance, also can be a sign of diabetes or kidney stones.

What are symptoms of a UTI?

UTIs are most often caused by bacteria – E. coli being the No. 1 culprit. And because UTIs cause inflammation of the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder and urethra, if you have a UTI, you can experience:

• Burning or pain when you pee
• Fever
• Chills
• Pain in your flank, abdomen, pelvic area or lower back
• Pain when you have sex
• Pressure in your lower pelvis
• Cloudy, foul-smelling pee
• Frequent urge or need to pee — more than typical
• Inability to control urination
• Blood in pee

When are UTIs most common?

Women are more at risk for UTIs during certain periods of their lives:

• Puberty
• After menopause
• During pregnancy

They also can occur postpartum, particularly for women who had a C-section and used a catheter.

Diagnosis and treatment

The most important thing when it comes to UTIs is that women receive the correct diagnosis. Most UTIs are quickly and easily treated with antibiotics.

But if something else is going on, not only will the issue not be resolved but also women then are at risk for side effects associated with taking antibiotics when they don’t need them. Misuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and many other long-term health issues.

“If you think you have a UTI, see a doctor for an exam and get your urine tested. Don’t just call the office and ask your doctor to write a prescription,” Van Kalsbeek said.

When it comes to over-the-counter UTI tests, Van Kalsbeek encourages women to discuss proper use with their doctor.

How to prevent a UTI

Not all UTIs can be prevented. Sometimes, a woman’s anatomy puts them at a higher risk for UTIs. Fortunately, doctors do have solutions for women with recurring UTIs. There also are preventive measures that may help you lower your risk of a UTI:

• Increase water consumption. Drinking more water will dilute urine and increase urination frequency. This allows the body to flush out bacteria before an infection can begin.
• Cranberry tablets. Although studies are not conclusive, cranberry vitamins are not harmful, and many women say they help.
• Wipe from front to back. Prevent the spread of bacteria by wiping from front to back whenever you use the bathroom.
• Empty your bladder right after having sex.

Get more health and wellness tips at Avera.org/Balance.