Whether you've had a UTI yourself (in which case, we feel you, girl...not fun) or you're one of the lucky few who have only heard the horror stories, knowing how to handle a urinary tract infection can be the difference between a couple days of discomfort and a major medical emergency.
Read on to get all the need-to-know UTI deets, and find out why you should never (ever!) ignore the symptoms.
Wait, what's a UTI?
It's an infection in the urinary system, which includes the bladder, ureters (tubes that connect the bladder and the kidneys), and the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). UTIs happen when bacteria enters your urinary tract and travels into your bladder—and potentially even your kidneys.
According to Planned Parenthood, one in five women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives, and some are likely to get UTIs on a regular (and really annoying) basis. While it's entirely possible for dudes to end up with a UTI, girls are generally the bearers of this particular burden because of the anatomical setup of the female urinary system.
What does it feel like?
Not good. Not everyone who has a UTI has symptoms, but warning signs include a feeling of discomfort above your pelvic bone or around your pelvic floor, a constant need to pee (even when you don't have to go), pain when you're actually peeing (usually near the end of the stream), blood (and even pus!) in your urine, and lower-back pain. And those are only a few of the infection's consequences—more serious UTIs come with a fever, chills, nausea, and sometimes vomiting.
How do you get a UTI?
Any time bacteria has the opportunity to come into contact with your vagina, it can travel up the urethra and cause an infection. Sex is one way women get UTIs, but they can also be caused by less-than-hygienic water sources (like the ever-horrifying toilet backsplash, or the standing pond you probably shouldn't have skinny-dipped in). But because it's so easy for bacteria to make its way up to your bladder, most of the time when you get a UTI, you can't trace it back to anything specific.
The good news? There are plenty of ways to prevent 'em.
Go to the bathroom before and after sex: Peeing pre-and-post sex is an effective way to flush your system, so to speak, and clear away any bacteria that can travel up through your urethra.
Wrap it up: Condoms (both male and female) can keep some bacteria from transferring and potentially even traveling up your system—just another excellent benefit of safe sex.
Take hydration seriously: Dehydration contributes to UTIs because when you don't drink enough water, you don't have as many opportunities to clean out your system, giving bacteria a chance to grow.
Consider the cranberry: You've probably heard that cranberry juice is a good way to prevent UTIs (though it's important to remember that it's not a cure, just a way to support a healthy urinary system). That's because the acid helps to keep bacteria from attaching to the walls of your bladder and urethra. Cranberry supplements are also helpful, and a shot of juice in the morning never hurt anyone—but make sure that you're not drinking cranberry cocktail. The sugary mix can actually have the opposite effect, causing bacteria to multiply more quickly. If you can't stand how bitter pure juice is, try diluting it with water (an added bonus? It's part of your hydration routine!).
OK, I'm pretty sure I have a UTI. What now?
Lucky for all of us, UTIs are pretty easy to treat when you catch them early on. The best way to avoid all the ickiest consequences is to start hydrating as soon as you sense the symptoms, give your doctor a ring, and then schedule an appointment for a test for as soon as possible. If you do have a UTI, you'll be prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection.
Note: There are at-home tests available at the drugstore, as well as over-the-counter meds like Uristat and AZO that help keep the pain and discomfort in check, but they won't cure your infection. You really do need a prescription!
Make sure you take your entire course of antibiotics, even when you start feeling better, or you risk a UTI that can last for weeks and turn into something more serious. In a few days, you should be good as new (and if you're not, call the doc—you may need to revisit the type of antibiotics you're taking).
Whatever you do, DO NOT ignore the symptoms.
The earlier you catch a UTI, the easier it is to treat (and get rid of), but sometimes it can be tough to pinpoint the symptoms before it gets more serious. According to New York-based OB/GYN Dena Harris, if you feel a burning when you pee that doesn't go away, have pain in your mid-back on either side (which is where your kidneys are located), spike a temp, spot blood in your urine, or experience an unusually frequent urge to go, give your doc a ring immediately and start hydrating in the meantime. Even though it can seem like the pain is manageable, it's not going away if you wait it out, and in serious cases it can turn into a kidney infection.
Once the infection makes its way to your kidneys, you're in actual danger of damaging your organs for the long haul. Beyond the potential to cause permanent harm, an infection in this important filtration site can lead to blood poisoning, which can be life threatening! So if you want to skip out on a stay in the hospital (spent hooked up to IVs and a serious antibiotic drip, no less), make your way over to your doctor (or a walk-in medical clinic) pronto at the first sign of pain.