Do you constantly get UTIs? You need to read this.

Almost all the women I know have experienced the unique discomfort of a urinary tract infection (UTI).

And it turns out the prevalence of UTIs isn't just anecdotal: one in two women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, with the risk increasing as they age.

As well as being common, UTIs are also widely regarded as one of the most unpleasant medical conditions possible for a woman to experience — which is why it's so mind-boggling that many of us still put off getting support.

Mamamia spoke to Tahnee Simpson, a pharmacist at TerryWhite Chemmart, to help us decode UTIs and to understand what care we should be seeking. Tahnee has a particular interest in women's health and improving access to care for busy women: yes, especially the ones who have too much going on to prioritise their own health needs.

Firstly, what is a UTI?

"A UTI happens when bacteria — most likely from the gastrointestinal tract — end up in the urethra, where urine exits your body," Tahnee told Mamamia. "That bacteria migrates up into the bladder, where it causes discomfort and then infection."

Why are women more likely to get UTIs?

It's not a myth that women experience more UTIs than men — according to Tahnee, it's true, and we can blame anatomy.

"Women are more likely to get UTIs because the urethra is close to the rectum. The main cause of a UTI is usually a type of bacteria that normally lives in the gut, which can cause problems if it moves into the urethra and bladder," Tahnee said.

"And if women seem to suffer UTIs more as they get older, that's also true — the symptoms of menopause and post-menopause can actually make it harder for older women to withstand infection."

How can I get quick support for UTIs?

A CareClinic by Terrywhite Chemmart is a private, in-store consultation space where pharmacists can provide support for a broader range of women's health needs through specially-developed pharmacy care initiatives and treatment options.

If you're a woman aged 18 to 65 and experiencing symptoms of a UTI, your pharmacist can provide a confidential in-store consultation. CareClinic pharmacists will assess symptoms, check for any red flags and provide advice on appropriate next steps, which may include treatment options where suitable, or referral to a GP or hospital if needed.

They can also provide guidance on non-pharmacological treatment. That includes advice like increasing your fluid intake to two to three litres a day, making sure you're urinating after intercourse, taking hygiene measures like always wiping front to back, and ensuring you empty your bladder completely when you use the toilet.

Along with maternal vaccinations and general health checks, CareClinic pharmacists can also provide general medicines guidance for people using the oral contraceptive pill, including missed-dose advice, possible side effects or interactions, and when it may be appropriate to seek GP review.

Appointments can be booked online, via the app, or in-store. For busy women, having access to care at a community pharmacy, close to home or work, can be convenient, with same-day appointments often available, including after-work hours.

What are the most common symptoms of an uncomplicated UTI?

"The first one for most women is discomfort with urination," Tahnee explained. "That can escalate over a short period of time into painful stinging urination (sometimes in a matter of hours)."

Those symptoms can also be accompanied by an increased need to go to the toilet (as Tahnee described it: 'I only went half an hour ago, but I need to go again') and urgency ('I need to go right now'). For some women, this can present as feeling anxious about not being near a toilet.

There can also sometimes be pain, which Tahnee described as being located "just below the belly button".

What are the symptoms of a more aggressive UTI?

Part of the assessment that a pharmacist will do in the CareClinic is to rule out the "red flags", which would mean a referral to a GP — or, in some more serious cases, the hospital.

If a patient is experiencing intense pain, or pain which goes around the back as opposed to just discomfort under the belly button, has blood in their urine or discoloured urine, unusual vaginal discharge or a fever, a pharmacist will ensure that they are referred for more acute care.

What are the risks of delaying seeking treatment for a UTI?

"If a patient isn't going to seek care for an uncomplicated UTI, it can progress fairly quickly to a complicated UTI," Tahnee explained. "We want to catch UTIs in their early stages, so we can provide treatment if appropriate and resolve them without the need for escalation."

What are the common misconceptions around UTIs?

While many women swear by cranberry juice as a natural UTI cure, Tahnee said the evidence just isn't there.

"I'm not opposed to a patient saying they're using cranberry juice — it won't harm you — but it isn't a replacement for a clinical consultation. I would ask patients not to delay seeking care because they're waiting for cranberry juice to have an effect."

Book a CareClinic appointment at your local TerryWhite Chemmart.

This information is general in nature and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. As with any medical condition, always seek health advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Featured image: Getty.

Do you constantly get UTIs? This one's for you.