Your clinician may prescribe a short-term oral antibiotic if your symptoms indicate that you have an uncomplicated UTI (also known as acute simple cystitis). Before prescribing medication, however, your clinician will want to know if you've recently taken antibiotics for the same symptoms. Overprescribing this type of therapy can lead to bacterial resistance, when the drug doesn't work as well.

If you started taking antibiotics over 3 days ago and you're still having UTI symptoms, you'll need to see a trusted healthcare provider like a primary care physician (PCP) for an in-person evaluation.

Please note: This information is for general reference only. Your clinician will review your symptoms and health history to determine which (if any) UTI treatments are medically necessary.

Not at this time. Bacterial infections of male anatomy tend to be more complex. If your assigned sex at birth was male and you're having UTI symptoms like painful urination or blood in your urine, you'll need to see a trusted healthcare provider like a primary care physician (PCP) for an in-person evaluation.

Urinary tract infections are caused by unwelcome bacteria colonizing the urethra, bladder, ureter, or kidneys. In general, it's easier for "bad" bacteria like E. coli to access female anatomy because the urethra is so close to the anus. If cystitis (an infection of the lower urinary tract) isn't treated, the bacteria can continue their climb to the kidneys, where an infection can become far more dangerous.

To lower your risk of getting another UTI, you can do the following:

• Urinate before and after having sex
• Wipe yourself front to back after using the bathroom
• Drink lots of water
• Don't "hold it" for too long when you need to urinate

Some research has also shown the natural benefits of cranberry in keeping e. Coli from bonding to the urinary tract.