UTI Symptoms in Women: What OWH and CDC Say to Look For

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Optional shopping links on this page are labeled as advertisements.

Quick answer: UTI symptoms in women usually include pain or burning when you urinate, an urge to go often with little coming out, and pressure in your lower belly. The Office on Women's Health (OWH) says more than half of women will have at least one UTI. The CDC says a fever, chills or back pain can point to a kidney infection, and that a healthcare professional can tell you if you have a UTI and what antibiotic you need.

I'm not a doctor, and this post can't tell you what you have. It summarizes two U.S. government pages in plain language.

Note: This is general education, not medical advice. OWH says to tell a doctor or nurse right away if you see blood in your urine, or if you're pregnant and have UTI symptoms.

Advertisement · Optional shopping tool

A water bottle with time markers, if you want an easy way to keep track of your fluids. Optional; it is an everyday item only.

Browse water bottles on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What is a UTI?

OWH says a urinary tract infection (UTI) is most often caused by bacteria that get into the bladder. UTIs are also called bladder infections. A UTI in the bladder is called cystitis.

The CDC says the most common type is a bladder infection. A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is less common, but it's more serious.

Source: my own diagram of numbers on the OWH "Urinary tract infections" page (womenshealth.gov). Made by Aid Hub; checked Nov 3, 2026.

Why are UTIs so common in women?

OWH says women get UTIs up to 30 times more often than men. It gives two reasons:

• A woman's urethra, the tube from the bladder to the outside, is shorter. That makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
• The urethral opening is also closer to the vagina and the anus, the main source of germs like E. coli.

OWH adds that as many as 4 in 10 women who get a UTI will get at least one more within six months.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

OWH says you may have some or all of these:

• Pain or burning when you urinate.
• An urge to urinate often, but not much comes out.
• Pressure in your lower abdomen.
• Urine that smells bad or looks milky or cloudy.
• Blood in the urine. This is more common in younger women. Tell a doctor or nurse right away.
• Feeling tired, shaky, confused or weak. This is more common in older women.
• A fever, which may mean the infection has reached your kidneys.

Source: Office on Women's Health, "Urinary tract infections" (womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections); captured Nov 3, 2026.

How do bladder and kidney infection signs differ?

The CDC splits the symptoms into two groups.

Bladder infection:

• Pain or burning while urinating.
• Frequent urination.
• Feeling the need to urinate even when your bladder is empty.
• Bloody urine.
• Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen.

Kidney infection:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Lower back pain, or pain in the side of your back.
• Nausea or vomiting.

OWH says the most common kidney infection symptoms are fever and back pain, and that antibiotics can treat kidney infections too.

Source: my own summary diagram of the OWH and CDC UTI pages (womenshealth.gov, cdc.gov). Made by Aid Hub; checked Nov 3, 2026.

Who is more at risk?

OWH says you may be at greater risk if you:

• are sexually active,
• use a diaphragm, or use spermicides with a diaphragm or condoms,
• are pregnant,
• have gone through menopause,
• have diabetes,
• have a condition like a kidney stone that may block urine flow, or
• have or recently had a catheter.

The CDC adds that a UTI is not a sexually transmitted infection, though sex can raise the risk. It also says UTI symptoms can look like STI symptoms, so ask a healthcare professional whether you should be tested.

Advertisement · Optional shopping tool

A small notebook to write down your symptoms and when they started. Optional; it is a stationery item only.

Browse notebooks on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How is a UTI diagnosed and treated?

OWH says your doctor or nurse will test a clean sample of your urine, collected midstream in a cup. The CDC says a professional may also ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam.

Both pages say antibiotics treat UTIs. OWH says you may feel better in one or two days, but you should finish all the antibiotics as prescribed, even if you feel better.

Source: CDC, "Urinary Tract Infection Basics" (cdc.gov/uti/about), page dated Sept. 22, 2026; captured Nov 3, 2026.

What helps while you recover?

The CDC says to drink plenty of water or other fluids. If you're prescribed antibiotics, it says to:

• take all doses as prescribed,
• not share them with others, and
• not save them for later.

The CDC says to talk with a healthcare professional if your symptoms don't improve after starting antibiotics, if they get worse, or if you have side effects. It also says you usually don't need antibiotics if you have bacteria in your urine but no UTI symptoms.

What happens if a UTI isn't treated?

OWH says that if it's treated right away, a UTI isn't likely to damage your urinary tract. If it isn't treated, the infection can spread to the kidneys and other parts of your body.

OWH also says that in rare cases the infection can get into the bloodstream, which is life-threatening. If you're pregnant, OWH says UTIs are more likely to spread to the kidneys, so see your doctor or nurse right away if you have symptoms.

Source: my own checklist, built on OWH and CDC pages. Diagram made by Aid Hub.

How can you help prevent UTIs?

OWH says you may follow these steps and still get a UTI. Its tips include:

• Urinate when you need to. Don't go longer than three or four hours without urinating.
• Try to urinate before and after sex.
• Always wipe from front to back.
• Try to drink six to eight glasses of fluid a day.
• Don't douche or use feminine hygiene sprays.
• Take showers, or limit baths to 30 minutes or less.

The CDC lists similar steps, including staying well hydrated and taking showers instead of baths.

Advertisement · Optional shopping tool

A desk calendar planner, to keep track of appointments and follow-up visits. Optional; it is a stationery item only.

Browse planners on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What if UTIs keep coming back?

OWH says two UTIs in six months, or three in a year, count as recurrent UTIs. Your doctor or nurse might do tests to find out why. It says cranberry studies show mixed results, so ask your doctor before using cranberry products.

If cost is a worry, see our guides to telehealth cost without insurance and prescription discount programs. For related reading, try menopause symptoms and treatment and the postpartum recovery timeline.

Frequently asked questions

What are the first signs of a UTI?

OWH lists pain or burning when you urinate, an urge to go often with little coming out, and pressure in your lower abdomen.

Can a UTI go away on its own?

Both pages say antibiotics treat UTIs, and a healthcare professional can tell you whether you have one. Don't guess; ask.

How do I know if it's a kidney infection?

The CDC lists fever, chills, lower back or side pain, and nausea or vomiting. OWH says fever may mean the infection reached your kidneys.

Is a UTI an STI?

The CDC says no. But the symptoms can look similar, so ask about STI testing.

When should I get care?

The CDC says to see a healthcare professional if you have one or more UTI symptoms, or any symptom that is severe or concerning. OWH says to tell a doctor or nurse right away about blood in your urine.

Sources

• Office on Women's Health: Urinary tract infections. womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections
• CDC: Urinary Tract Infection Basics (Sept. 22, 2026). cdc.gov/uti/about/

Reviewed against the linked pages on November 3, 2026. Guidance changes over time. This article is an editorial summary and interpretation, not medical advice.