Editor's note: We at POPSUGAR recognize that people of many genders and identities have vaginas, not just those who are women. For this particular story, we interviewed an expert and referenced statistics that sometimes referred to people with vaginas as women and people with penises as men.
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are one of the most common bacterial infections you can get. Between 50 and 60 percent of adult women and about 12 percent of men will have at least one UTI in their lifetime. Burning with urination, frequent urination, pain in your pelvic area, and blood in your urine are all signs that you might be facing a UTI.
UTIs are caused by unwanted bacteria making its way into the bladder, but how exactly does it get there in the first place? Well, many UTIs are caused by penetrative sex. But other factors, including your genetics and some behavioral patterns, may also play a role.
No matter how they occur, UTIs are a certified pain to deal with and can be stubborn to resolve as well. Though sometimes they can turn into more dangerous kidney infections, the biggest area of concern with UTIs is quality of life — getting rid of the pain and annoyance, says Craig Comiter, MD, a urologist specializing in pelvic pain at Stanford. To do that, it's helpful to have some background knowledge: what causes UTIs, how to treat them, how you can prevent a UTI in the first place, and what to do when your UTI becomes recurrent. Whether you're looking for relief now or reading up to prevent future infections, here's what you need to know about UTIs.
A UTI is an infection, typically bacterial, that affects the tissue in your urinary tract, which includes your bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. Bladder infections, kidney infections, and urethra infections are all different types of UTIs. There are also two classifications of UTIS: simple and complicated. According to the Urology Care Foundation, a simple UTI occurs in a healthy person with a normal urinary tract. A complicated UTI occurs in an atypical urinary tract, or when the UTI can't be treated by many antibiotics.
UTIs are typically caused by unwanted bacteria getting into and lingering in the bladder, though Dr. Comiter notes that UTIs can sometimes (but very rarely) be caused by a virus or fungus. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, we're talking about bacterial infection," he says.
Keep in mind that UTIs and vaginal yeast infections are two different conditions. A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of fungal bacteria in the vagina, causing severe itchiness and sometimes discharge. UTIs, on the other hand, can be caused by anything that pushes bacteria into the bladder. This includes penetrative sex or a penetrative vibrator and not urinating frequently enough, which keeps bacteria in the bladder for longer and increases the risk of an infection taking hold. Any abnormality in your urinary tract can also increase the risk of a UTI. For people with a vulva and vagina, bacteria in the vagina can be pushed up into the urethra and from there into the bladder.
It's worth noting that while UTIs can be caused by penetrative sex pushing bacteria into the urethra, it's unlikely that your partner is "giving" you the infection; as in, the bacteria is not originating from them. "It's your bacteria getting pushed [into your urethra and bladder], not theirs," Dr. Comiter says. In other words, the bacteria that causes a UTI originates from your body — it could be present in your vagina, vulva, anus, or any of the areas around them — and any type of penetrative sex can physically push the bacteria deeper into your vagina and closer to your urethra, from which it can then travel to your bladder.
One reason UTIs are less common in people with penises is because the male urethra is longer. "The bacteria have a tougher time making it all the way up," Dr. Comiter says. The bacteria also has to be able to adhere to specific receptors on the the walls of your bladder and/or urethra in order to cause UTI symptoms. "There are genetic factors that make some women more predisposed to have some bacteria stick to those receptors," Dr. Comiter explains.
So how do you get rid of a UTI? Studies estimate that 25 to 42 percent of uncomplicated UTIs (that is, an infection that's only in your bladder and not your kidneys) get better on their own without antibiotics, but it's not recommended to let your UTI go untreated, due to the risk of it developing into a kidney infection. Antibiotics are the only thing that can actually address the infection, Dr. Comiter says. But you can also use a few expert-approved home remedies and over-the-counter drugs to make the UTI symptoms more bearable while you heal up.
UTI treatment options include:
A UTI in your bladder or urethra has the potential to become a kidney infection if left untreated, though Dr. Comiter notes that this is a very rare occurrence. For this to happen, the unwanted bacteria must migrate from the bladder or urethra into the kidneys. Though rare, kidney infections can be life-threatening and may result in permanent damage to the kidney, so it's important to seek treatment if you think you may have one. Symptoms of a kidney infection include:
While many patients start to see improvement after a few days on antibiotics, it's normal to experience symptoms even after the infection is cured, Dr. Comiter says. If your symptoms continue to persist seven to 10 days after you've finished your course of antibiotics, then it's time to make another appointment with your doctor. You might be facing a more resistant strain of bacteria that requires further treatment, Dr. Comiter explains.
When it comes to preventing a UTI, there are a few behavioral changes that doctors recommend:
Having penetrative sex when you have a UTI is typically not recommended, as some doctors say it can worsen your symptoms by irritating the tissues in your urinary tract. There's also a small chance you could pass the infection to your partner. Oral sex is also not typically recommended either, as it can spread bacteria from the penis or vagina to the mouth.
Of course, due to the general discomfort that comes with UTI symptoms, you might not be feeling up to sex at all. Even once you start feeling better, some doctors recommend abstaining from sex until you're finished with your course of antibiotics. If you don't want to abstain, talk to your doctor. Depending on your symptoms and the severity of your infection, they might give the OK for sex. According to Dr. Comiter, it's typically safe to have sex if you're dealing with a simple UTI.
If you experience frequent UTIs (more than three times per year), talk to your doctor about preventative treatment. For recurrent UTIs, preventative treatment could include:
The truth is, UTIs can be painful and frustrating, but they typically come with a straightforward treatment plan and road to recovery. Taking action is key. So if you spot the signs, make an appointment with your doctor so you can start feeling better ASAP.