Are UTIs overdiagnosed?

UTI and CAP are also commonly overdiagnosed , resulting in unnecessary antibiotic use and diagnostic delays.

What is commonly misdiagnosed as a UTI?

Several other infectious and non-infectious disease processes can cause symptoms that mimic a UTI. These include conditions such as vaginitis, overactive bladder, and kidney stones; some sexually transmitted infections (STIs); and diseases such as bladder cancer .

What mimics a UTI but isn't?

Although signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis may resemble those of a chronic urinary tract infection, there's usually no infection. However, symptoms may worsen if a person with interstitial cystitis gets a urinary tract infection.

Can your body naturally fight off a urinary tract infection?

“ A bladder infection can get better on its own, but most of the time it doesn't . If your symptoms are minor, it's reasonable to try extra fluids and cranberry products to see if it resolves over the course of a day. If it doesn't, work with your doctor to get a urine test or visit urgent care.

Is UTI psychosomatic?

Can emotions cause UTIs? anxiety, sadness, worry, guilt and anger, can make you more susceptible to developing UTIs .

Is having a UTI shameful?

You may feel embarrassed if you have symptoms that affect your genitals or cause incontinence, but it's OK — you haven't done anything wrong . UTIs are common, especially if you have a vagin*. A healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection, and your symptoms should go away in a few days.

What is commonly confused with a UTI?

There are several conditions whose symptoms mimic UTIs. Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and Mycoplasma genitalium) cause symptoms also common in UTIs, such as painful urination and discharge.

What STD can mimic a UTI?

Frequent, urgent trips to the washroom along with lower abdominal pressure or pelvic pain and a burning sensation during urination could mean a urinary tract infection (UTI). However, it could also be a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like chlamydia or gonorrhea .

How did people get rid of UTIs without antibiotics?

People can treat UTIs themselves without antibiotics. They can try drinking cranberry juice, taking vitamin C supplements, or trying probiotics to prevent and reduce the reoccurrence of UTIs. Individuals also need to be aware that they may still have a UTI even if their symptoms disappear.

What is the fastest way to flush a UTI?

The only way to get rid of a UTI completely fast is through antibiotic treatment prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider . While natural remedies such as vitamin C and cranberry products may help reduce symptoms, medication is needed to neutralize harmful bacteria and prevent further complications.

Are UTI tests inaccurate?

A 2017 study from Belgium concluded that over 90% of women with UTI symptoms but negative UTI test results did indeed test positive for E. coli bacteria . This could indicate that false negative tests for UTIs may be even more common than expected.

Why does it seem like I always have a UTI?

Recurrent UTIs (RUTI) are mainly caused by reinfection by the same pathogen . Having frequent sexual intercourse is one of the greatest risk factors for RUTIs. In a subgroup of individuals with coexisting morbid conditions, complicated RUTIs can lead to upper tract infections or urosepsis.

Are UTIs really common?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in the U.S. In fact, UTIs are the second most common type of infection in the body and are the reason for more than 8 million visits to the doctor each year. About 10 in 25 women and 3 in 25 men will have symptoms of a UTI during their lifetime.

Urinary tract infection myths debunked (2024)

A urinary tract infection, also called a UTI, is an infection that occurs in the urinary system. This includes the bladder, ureters and kidneys. Most infections involve the bladder, which is known as the lower urinary tract.

UTI is the most common infection in the U.S. for women. About 40% of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetimes, and 1 in 10 postmenopausal women had a UTI in the last year. It’s also common to have multiple infections, with about half getting a second infection within a year.

UTIs don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, they may include a strong urge to urinate; burning feeling while urinating; urinating more often; red or bright pink urine; or pelvic pain.

Patients also may experience chills, marked fatigue, fever or flank pain along the side of the torso below the ribs. These symptoms indicate that the infection has extended beyond the bladder, possibly to the kidney or into the blood stream.

Get the facts about this common infection by reviewing these debunked myths:

Myth: Only women can get a urinary tract infection.

Truth: UTIs can affect both men and women. Women are at greater risk for a UTI because the urethra is shorter than in men, so it's easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder. UTIs also are more common in postmenopausal women because low estrogen levels change vagin*l and urethral tissue to increase the risk of infection.

Myth: All UTIs cause symptoms.

Truth: Most UTIs cause symptoms, like pain or burning when urinating; feeling like you need to urinate often; or a burning sensation while urinating. However, it is possible to have bacteria in the urinary tract but not have any UTI symptoms. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria, and it is more common in older adults or people who use a catheter to empty their bladders.

Myth: All UTIs must be treated with antibiotics.

Truth: Not all UTIs require antibiotics. Some people can have bacteria in their bladders but not experience any symptoms. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria. In most cases, no treatment is necessary as the bacteria is not causing issues.

But there are a few groups of people that may require treatment, including people who are pregnant, people with planned urologic surgery and people with weakened immune systems.

Myth: A UTI will go away on its own.

Fact: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, which is a UTI without symptoms, could go away without treatment. However, UTIs with symptoms rarely resolve on their own.

If you are experiencing UTI symptoms, like burning, pain or frequency, talk with your health care team about obtaining a urine culture and the right treatment for you.

Myth: UTIs can be passed to your partner.

Truth: UTIs are not contagious or passed between partners by sexual or casual physical contact.

Myth: UTIs are sexually transmitted infections.

Fact: Sexual activity can increase the risk for, but it does not cause a UTI. Therefore, UTIs are not classified as sexually transmitted infections.

The act of intercourse can cause bacteria to get close to or into the urethra, the small tube that empties your bladder. Lower your risk by urinating after intercourse to remove some of the bacteria before it can cause an infection.

Talk with your health care team if you think you have a UTI. Seek medical attention if you believe you have a UTI and are experiencing a fever, chills, disorientation, or back or side pain.

Ross Avant, M.D., is a urologistin Albert Leaand Austin, Minnesota, and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.