Treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) with antibiotics

What is a UTI?

If you’ve noticed burning with urination or that you’re urinating more often than usual, you may have a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common and happen when bacteria enters your urethra and begin to grow in your urinary tract. UTIs require a prescription to treat. If you think you may need care, Hey Jane can help.

‍

Symptoms of a UTI include:

‍

Do I have a UTI or something else?

UTIs impact your urinary tract, which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureter, and urethra. There are a few diagnoses with similar symptoms—let's review the differences when compared to UTIs.

‍

UTI vs. Bladder infection symptoms

If your UTI has spread to your bladder, you should seek medical attention immediately to get treatment.

‍

UTI vs. Kidney infection symptoms

These infections have pretty similar symptoms as a bladder infection is specific to your bladder while a UTI can impact your entire urinary tract symptom.

‍

UTI vs. Kidney stone symptoms

‍

Are UTIs sexually transmitted?

While sex can introduce bacteria into your urethra and cause an infection, urinary tract and bladder infections are not sexually transmitted, and if you have a UTI, you can’t pass it to sexual partners. However, because vaginal penetration can irritate the urinary tract, sex should be avoided during a UTI until you’ve completed a course of antibiotics.

Preventing UTIs

Practicing good sexual hygiene can reduce your chances of getting a urinary tract infection. Always urinate before and after sex, avoid vaginal penetration after anal sex, and make sure you and your partner have clean hands and genitals before engaging in sexual activity.

Because urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that live naturally on your body, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to completely prevent them. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk.

• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes
• Always urinate before and after sex
• Wipe from front to back when using the toilet and avoid using scented soaps near your vagina when bathing
• Listen to your body and urinate when you feel the urge - don’t hold it!

Treatment

Urinary tract infections require treatment with antibiotics and cannot be cured with home remedies. Hey Jane provides urinary tract infection treatment online via our compassionate team of providers who prescribe FDA-approved antibiotics to your local pharmacy. 

You can also seek care for your UTI at your local urgent care, primary care provider’s office, or OBGYN. Let your prescriber know if your symptoms do not improve with antibiotics and if you think you might be at risk for a sexually transmitted infection, please see a provider in person for testing! If at any point you develop fevers, chills, nausea/vomiting, or mid-back or side pain, please see a provider in person as soon as possible to rule out a kidney infection. 

Because a urinary tract infection can worsen quickly, it’s best to get care sooner rather than later. Sign up for care with Hey Jane today if you need a convenient solution to your urinary tract symptoms. 

At home symptom management

Antibiotics are the most effective way to treat UTIs. Some people like to also use at-home remedies to help manage symptoms and provide relief. These remedies include:

• Drinking cranberry juice*
• Taking D-mannose supplements or cranberry pills*
• Taking vitamin C
• Bumping up hydration (drinking more water)
• Consuming probiotics
• Wearing loose clothing
• Taking over-the-counter pain relief medication like ibuprofen
• Using heating pads

*These options are not recommended for people with diabetes

While the above can offer relief for some individuals, they shouldn’t replace medical treatment. Antibiotics remain the fastest and most effective solution for treating UTIs. Before trying any at-home method to manage your UTI, consult with your Hey Jane provider or another healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe and suitable for your situation.