Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Specialist

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

A urinary tract infection or UTI is an infection in your urinary system, which includes your ureters, urethra, bladder, and kidneys. A UTI may affect any one of these organs, but most often occurs in the bladder. A UTI in the bladder is known as cystitis.

When you have cystitis, the infection may travel to your upper urinary tract into your kidneys, causing pyelonephritis. Ignoring your UTI may cause the infection to worsen, allowing it to move to other body parts, even your blood.

UTIs may be common and respond quickly to treatment, but they’re not a type of infection you should ignore.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

A urinary tract infection causes inflammation in the lining of your urinary tract. Common UTI symptoms include:

• Pain in the side of your lower abdomen
• Pain during urination
• Burning during urination
• Urinary urgency or frequency
• Fever
• Pink or cloudy urine
• Foul-smelling urine
• Fatigue

You may also have a strong urge to urinate, but you’re unable to go when you get to the bathroom. 

Why are women at a greater risk of getting a UTI?

Women are at a greater risk of getting UTIs because of the structure of their urinary system. Women have a shorter urethra than men, making it easier for bacteria to get to the bladder and multiply. 

A woman’s urethral opening is also close to the vagina and anus, which are the source of the germ that most often causes UTIs — Escherichia coli.

How is a urinary tract infection diagnosed?

Your provider at Ganesh OBGYN collects a urine sample to diagnose your UTI. In addition to urine, your provider also reviews your symptoms and the frequency of your UTIs.

If you have frequent UTIs, your women’s health expert may perform urodynamic testing to look for conditions that might make you more prone to infections so they can provide targeted treatment.

How is a UTI treated?

Your provider prescribes an antibiotic to treat your UTI. Once you start the medication, you should feel better within a few days. However, you must continue to take your antibiotic as prescribed to prevent a recurrence of your infection.

If you have a history of frequent UTIs, your provider may prescribe antibiotics for you to take at the first sign of symptoms. 

They also talk to you about steps you can take that might prevent a UTI, such as urinating when you have to, wiping from front to back, and urinating after sex.

For relief from your UTI, call Ganesh OBGYN or schedule an appointment online today.