Don’t Let the Burn Get You Down: A Guide to UTIs for Women

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common reasons women see a GP. The classic signs are stinging or burning when you wee and needing to go often or urgently. Most UTIs are bladder infections that settle quickly with the right treatment, but they shouldn’t be ignored, because an untreated infection can spread to the kidneys.

Here’s how to recognise a UTI, what you can do to help yourself, when you need to see a doctor and when to get urgent help.

What is a UTI?

A UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the bladder, the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body), the ureters or the kidneys. Most UTIs affect the bladder and urethra. This is sometimes called cystitis. A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is less common but more serious.

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria from the bowel that get into the urethra and travel up to the bladder.

Why are UTIs more common in women?

Women have a shorter urethra than men, and its opening is closer to the back passage. This makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Things that can make a UTI more likely include:

• sexual activity
• using spermicide or a diaphragm for contraception
• menopause, as lower oestrogen levels change the tissues around the urethra and vagina
• pregnancy
• not emptying your bladder fully
• diabetes
• having had UTIs before

Common symptoms

• Stinging or burning when you wee
• Needing to wee more often, often passing only small amounts
• A strong, sudden urge to wee
• Feeling that your bladder isn’t empty after going
• Cloudy, bloody or strong-smelling urine
• Pain or pressure low in the tummy

Older people may have less typical symptoms, such as new confusion, and some people have very mild symptoms.

Signs the infection may have spread to the kidneys

• Fever, chills or shaking
• Pain in your back or side, under the ribs
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling generally very unwell

These need prompt medical attention. See “When to get urgent help” below.

Is it a UTI, thrush or something else?

Stinging and discomfort can also be caused by vaginal thrush, bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia. These need different treatment, so it’s worth getting the right diagnosis rather than guessing. Our article Thrush, BV or UTI? How to tell the difference compares the symptoms side by side.

What can help while you get treatment

• Drink enough water to keep your urine pale.
• Use simple pain relief, such as paracetamol, if you need it. Your pharmacist can advise what suits you.
• Urinary alkalinisers from a pharmacy may ease stinging for some people. Check with your pharmacist first, especially if you take other medicines or have kidney or heart problems.
• A heat pack on your lower tummy may ease discomfort.

Cranberry products are often recommended, but they don’t treat an active UTI. The evidence that they prevent UTIs is mixed.

Some mild UTIs settle by themselves, but many need antibiotics. A doctor can work out whether you need them.

When to see a GP

See a doctor if you think you have a UTI, especially if:

• your symptoms don’t improve within a day or two, or get worse
• this is your first UTI
• you’re pregnant
• you have diabetes, a weakened immune system or kidney problems
• you’ve had UTIs that keep coming back (for example, two or more in six months)
• you’re male, as UTIs in men always need a doctor’s assessment

A doctor may ask you to do a urine test so the laboratory can confirm the infection and check which antibiotic will work. This is especially important if you’re pregnant, your symptoms are unusual or the infection keeps coming back.

Preventing UTIs

• Drink enough fluids through the day.
• Wee when you need to, rather than holding on.
• Wee soon after sex.
• Wipe from front to back after going to the toilet.
• Avoid perfumed soaps, douches and sprays around the genitals.
• If spermicide seems to trigger UTIs, talk to a doctor about other contraception.

If you keep getting UTIs, a GP can look for a cause and talk to you about prevention options, which may include treatment after menopause or a referral to a specialist.

When to get urgent help

Go to your nearest emergency department or call 000 if you have:

• a high fever with shaking or chills
• severe pain in your back, side or tummy
• vomiting and can’t keep fluids down
• confusion, drowsiness or feel very unwell

If you’re pregnant and have any UTI symptoms, see a doctor the same day.

How Teldoc can help

Our AHPRA-registered GPs can assess UTI symptoms by phone or video, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time). Most patients are seen within 15 minutes. Your doctor can:

• talk through your symptoms and check for signs of a more serious infection
• prescribe treatment if clinically appropriate, with an eScript sent to your phone
• arrange a urine test through our pathology referrals
• provide a medical certificate if you’re too unwell to work
• let you know if you need to be seen in person

UTI consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays. See our fees page for details, or read more about our online UTI treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Can a UTI go away on its own?

Some mild bladder infections settle without treatment, but many need antibiotics. If your symptoms don’t improve within a day or two, get worse, or you have a fever or back pain, see a doctor.

Can I get UTI treatment through telehealth?

Yes. A GP can usually assess a simple UTI by phone or video and prescribe treatment if clinically appropriate. They may ask for a urine test, and they’ll tell you if you need to be seen in person.

Does cranberry juice cure a UTI?

No. Cranberry products don’t treat an active UTI. The evidence that they help prevent UTIs is mixed, so speak to a doctor if you keep getting infections.

Are UTIs contagious?

No. A UTI isn’t a sexually transmitted infection and can’t be passed to a partner, although sex can make UTIs more likely.

When is a UTI an emergency?

Get urgent help if you have a high fever, shaking chills, severe back or side pain, vomiting, or feel very unwell, as these can be signs of a kidney infection.

Sources and further reading: healthdirect: Urinary tract infection (UTI); healthdirect: Cystitis; healthdirect: Kidney infection.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026