UTIs (urinary tract infections) are infections of the bladder (cystitis) or the kidneys (pyelonephritis) in the urinary tract. Both bladder and kidney infections are more common in females.
UTIs in females are caused by bacteria getting into the urethra and traveling up into the urinary tract. Risk factors for females developing UTIs include:
- Frequent sexual intercourse
- Bladder or kidney infection that occurred in the past 12 months
- Use of spermicides for birth control
- Diabetes
- Conditions such as kidney stones or ureteral reflux that block or change the flow of urine in the kidneys
- A genetic predisposition to UTIs
What Are Symptoms of a UTI in Females?
Symptoms of a bladder infection in females include:
- Pain or a burning on urination
- Urinary urgency
- Urinary frequency
- Lower abdominal discomfort
- Blood in the urine
Symptoms of a kidney infection in females can include the symptoms of a bladder infection as well as:
- Pain in the flank (one or both sides of the lower back, where the kidneys are located)
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If you have symptoms of a kidney infection, see a doctor immediately because serious complications can occur if treatment is delayed.
How Is a UTI in Females Diagnosed?
UTIs (urinary tract infections) in females are diagnosed with urine tests, such as:
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
In females who have recurrent bladder infections, additional testing may be needed to check for kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra abnormalities, or for kidney stones. Tests may include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Ultrasound
- Cystoscopy
What Is the Treatment for a UTI in Females?
Most UTIs (urinary tract infections) in females are treated with antibiotics.
Medications to treat bladder infections in females include:
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
- Fosfomycin (Monurol)
Medications to numb the bladder and urethra and reduce the burning pain of some UTIs in females include:
While cranberry juice is often touted as a home remedy for UTIs, there are no good studies on the effectiveness of cranberry juice for treating a bladder infection.
Medications to treat kidney infections in females include:
- The choice of antibiotics depends on the bacteria causing the infection and the severity of the infection
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)
- Medications for fever and pain
- Hospital treatment
- Intravenous (IV) antibiotics and fluids may need to be administered in patients who have high fever, severe pain, or cannot keep down food or fluids
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults-the-basics?search=UTI&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20130604/can-you-skip-antibiotics-for-urinary-tract-infection#1