Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in Women

Key takeaways:

• Urinary tract infections occur in both males and females, but females are more at risk because they have a shorter urethra than males.
• Common signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections in women include urinary urgency, frequency, pain, or a burning sensation while urinating. 
• The symptoms of UTI can be painful and discomforting but can be treated with antibiotics. 

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common health problem that affects the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. It is caused by bacteria or, in rare cases, yeast entering the urinary tract and causing inflammation and pain.

Due to their body structure compared to men, most women will get UTI at some point in their lives, and although most women may experience UTI, some women are at more risk than others. 

Urinary tract infections may be discomforting. Some can be resolved on their own. However, that may not always be the case; in severe cases, you may need your doctor to prescribe antibiotics for treatment or other medications to manage the discomfort.

For women, some signs and symptoms may alert you to the possibility of urinary tract infection. Here are some symptoms of UTI in women to look out for: 

1. Urinary urgency

When you feel the sudden and irresistible need to pass urine, even with the urgency, you may pass very little or no urine; it is a sign that you may have a UTI. Urinary urgency in UTI is usually associated with a burning sensation or pain while urinating. 

2. Urinary frequency

Urinary frequency (or frequent urination) is a common symptom of UTI in women. Urinary frequency is when you feel the need to urinate more times than normal. Some sources note that it is when you have urinated more than seven times during the day.

The frequent need to pass urine may be due to irritation of the detrusor muscle of the bladder—a muscle responsible for holding urine and allowing the passage of urine from the bladder. Due to inflammation caused by the bacterial infection in the bladder, you may urinate more frequently than usual. 

3. Dysuria (Pain or burning sensation while urinating)

It is common for women with UTI to experience painful urination due to the irritation and reddening of the lining of the bladder and urethra.

You can take enough water to ease this burning sensation. Pain relievers like Ibuprofen and Naproxen and medications like Phenazopyridine hydrochloride designed for bladder pain can also relieve this symptom, but if the pain persists or worsens, consult a medical doctor.

4. Nocturia

Nocturia is urinating more than once or twice at night. Usually, the body produces less urine at night, but due to UTI, you may go to pee more than usual. Nocturia is a symptom of urinary tract infection in women.

There are other reasons you may need to urinate more than usual at night, like when you take plenty of liquid before going to bed or when you have an overactive bladder, which is a condition where the bladder squeezes out urine at the wrong time. But when you experience pain alongside this urge, it may be a sign you may have UTI. 

5. Lower tummy, back, or pain under the ribs

Due to the irritation and redness of the bladder and urethra, you can have a lower tummy or back pain or just pain under the ribs.9 Some over-the-counter medications, like Naproxen or ibuprofen, may ease this pain. 

6. Urine that smells bad or looks milky or cloudy

You may notice foul-smelling urine that may look cloudy or milky; do not be startled. It may be due to bacteria or pus in the urine. Although milky and cloudy urine does not automatically mean you have a UTI because some medications may affect the smell or color of your urine, it can be a significant symptom. Your doctor may need to assess other symptoms you may have noticed before concluding. 

7. Haematuria (Blood in the urine)

Usually, your urine should not contain red blood cells or traces of blood, so finding blood in your urine is unusual. Hematuria is the presence of blood or red blood cells in the urine and is a common symptom of UTI in women.

The cause of hematuria in UTI is the presence of bacteria and inflammation of the bladder and urethra. Hematuria may not always be a sign of UTI because some health conditions and medications cause blood in your urine.

Before concluding that the presence of blood in your urine is due to a urinary tract infection, visit a health professional for diagnosis.

8. Chronic Pelvic pain

Chronic pelvic pain is when you feel pain in your pelvis that has lasted more than 6 Months. It may come and go or may only show up during a particular period, like when you feel like urinating or during sexual intercourse. This pelvic pain is because of the swellings of the bladder wall and the lining.

9. Having a fever, feeling tired, shaky, or weak

Fever is your system's mechanism of fighting its way through life. The standard body temperature is usually around 37°C (98.6°F), and a fever is when your body temperature increases.

In UTI, the bacteria may get into the bloodstream, triggering the body to fight, which causes fever. The fever may seem like a bad sign, but this is simply your body fighting off the bacteria.

So when you have a fever, know that your system is trying to fight off something, and you should see a doctor.

Females who may be at a higher risk of UTIs

Although men get UTIs, women are at higher risk of urinary tract infections because they have a shorter urethra (the tube from the bladder to where urine comes out of the body) than men.

But even for women, some are at higher risk of UTI than others, and this includes women who:

• Have hormonal imbalance: Low estrogen in women who have not attained menopause or women who have entered menopause can cause urinary tract infections.  
• Are sexually active: When women are sexually active, it may affect the environment of the vagina, which is a breeding ground for good bacteria. Urinating after sexual intercourse can decrease the chances of having a UTI. 
• Have diabetes mellitus, especially after menopause: Research shows that women with type 2 diabetes may be prone to developing a urinary tract infection.
• Have epilepsy: Using anti-epileptic drugs like phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, and valproate can increase the chances of UTI due to the ability of these drugs to reduce or enhance the immune system.
• Women with kidney stones: Kidney stones may block the passage of urine between the bladder and urethra and can cause urinary tract infections. 
• Patients with weak immune systems: When the immune system is compromised, for example, due to HIV or chemotherapy, it can be a breeding ground for many bacteria infections, UTI inclusive, because the body's defense mechanism is down. 
• Women who use spermicide-lubricated condoms or contraceptive diaphragm: This is a barrier inserted in the vagina to prevent sperm from entering. This birth control method can disrupt good bacteria that prevent you from infections and make your urinary tract prone to infections.  
• Women who use catheters: Catheters are tubes placed in the bladder to drain urine. Due to the female anatomy, most female surgeries will require the use of catheters for a few hours, 24 hours, and even a few days, which can be a good breeding site for urinary tract infections. 
• Pregnant women: According to research, more than 50-60% of pregnant people are diagnosed with UTI. Urinary obstruction is typical in the third trimester, and so many other factors in pregnancy make the environment conducive for UTIs.

Treatment for UTI

The best treatment regimen for urinary tract infections is antibiotics prescribed by a medical professional. Depending on the drug of choice and the severity of the infection, the treatment may last 3 to 5 days. When your doctor prescribes antibiotics, complete the medication as prescribed, even if your symptoms feel better.

Here is a list of some antibiotics your doctor may prescribe for you:

• Nitrofurantoin
• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
• Fosfomycin
• First-generation Cephalosporin(Cefazolin, cefalexin, cefadroxil)
• Doxycycline
• Fluoroquinolones

UTIs can cause pain and discomfort, but some medications can ease them. It is important to note that these drugs are not antibiotics and can be over-the-counter. Some of them include:

• Cranberry
• Phenazopyridine
• Ascorbic acid
• Probiotic
• Methenamine (Hiprex)
• Sodium salicylate
• Benzoic acid
• D-Mannose.

It's also important to increase your water intake if you have a UTI. More water intake will cause you to urinate more, helping flush out the bacteria causing your infection.

How to prevent UTI

While there is a high tendency for women to get UTIs, there are also ways to prevent and create an environment that is unconducive for the infection. Here are some things you can do to prevent urinary tract infections:

• Do not hold your pee; Urinate as soon as you feel the urge to.
• Wipe your bottom from front to back when you use the toilet.
• Always stay hydrated.
• Pee immediately after sex.
• Wear underwear made of cotton. 
• Avoid tight jeans or trousers.
• Minimize douching, sprays, or powder in the genital area.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if:

• You are pregnant and notice signs of UTI
• Your symptoms persist or worsen after 2days of treatment
• You notice signs of UTI after surgery
• Your symptoms come back after treatment.

Conclusion

UTI may be painful and discomforting, but following the correct preventive measures and treatment plan can not only treat the infection but keep it away from you for a long time. 

Also, if you notice the slightest symptom of UTI, do not ignore the problem—instead, consult your medical doctor.