UTI Facts

It’s a common ailment that causes frequent and painful urination – a urinary tract infection (UTI). Just as common are the myths surrounding a UTI, which occurs when bacteria gets in your urine and goes up into your bladder.

Here are some facts to consider as you seek to prevent UTIs.

During their lifetimes, about 40 percent of women (and about 12 percent of men) will show the symptoms of at least one UTI, according to the Urology Care Foundation.

UTI symptoms may include:

• Frequent urination
• Burning or pain when you urinate
• Urine that is cloudy, has a strong odor or is bloody
• Pain in your side near the ribs or in your back
• Chills or fever
• Pressure in the lower part of your belly

There are several myths about preventing or treating UTIs, but the Urology Care Foundation encourages you to consider these facts about preventing UTIs:

• Develop good bowel habits, such as avoiding constipation and wiping from front to back, to prevent bacteria from straying into the urinary tract. 
• After sexual activity, take precautions to prevent UTIs; urinating may help decrease the risk. Also, certain types of birth control may increase the risk of infection. 
• Don’t postpone urinating when you need to, and don’t hurry to finish urinating. You can increase your risk by not fully draining your bladder.

A short course of antibiotic medications can be taken to treat a simple UTI. Talk to your doctor for more details about the prevention and treatment of UTIs.