Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections, particularly in women. Nearly half will experience one in their lifetime. Symptoms like burning during urination, abdominal pain, and fever can significantly impact daily life. Due to their frequency and risk of recurrence, UTIs are a notable health concern for women of all ages. Understanding how UTIs develop, recognizing the symptoms, and knowing the treatment options are key to effective prevention and management. Women are more susceptible due to anatomical and hormonal factors. If untreated, UTIs can lead to complications like recurrent infections or kidney damage, making early diagnosis and proper care essential. This article covers what UTIs are, why women are at higher risk, types of UTIs, symptoms, causes, and treatment, and prevention strategies. We’ll also outline when to seek medical attention to avoid complications and ensure proper treatment.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect about 10% of pregnant women. These infections happen when bacteria from the digestive system enter the urinary system, causing discomfort. If not treated, UTIs can lead to problems for both the mother and baby. Pregnant women get UTIs more easily because of body changes during pregnancy. Finding symptoms early and getting treatment quickly can prevent problems like kidney infections and early labor. This article explains UTIs during pregnancy, including causes, symptoms, why pregnant women are at higher risk, treatment options, and prevention tips. It also helps you know when to see a doctor.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is characterized by burning on passing urine, the urge to pass urine frequently and pain. Such infections occur when the normally sterile urine becomes infected with bacteria or other microorganisms. The most common bacteria causing a UTI is called E. coli, though other conditions such as Staphylococcus and Chlamydia can also cause infection. Such bacteria or organisms enter the urethra – the tiny tube that links from the vulva to the bladder – and cause irritation (urethritis). The infection can then spread back to the bladder causing cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). If a UTI is left untreated the infection can track even further back to the kidneys, via two small tubes called the ureters (one connects between each kidney and the bladder). This kidney infection is called pyelonephritis and can be a serious health problem. With appropriate treatment, a urinary tract infection can be cleared quickly – in just one or two days. Even if symptoms are quickly alleviated, always finish any antibiotic course ordered by the doctor to ensure bacteria do not recur in a stronger or different form. UTIs are much more common in women than men because their urethra is very close to the vagina and anus so bacteria can spread easily. Women also have a shorter urethra than men which means bacteria can travel to the bladder more quickly. Sexual intercourse can also irritate the urethra in a woman and increase the incidence of a UTI, and after menopause UTIs can also become more common in women because of changes in the urethra, bladder and vagina due to hormonal fluctuations. In men, UTIs can be indicative of prostate problems, kidney stones or a sexually transmitted disease, and in the elderly UTIs can cause confusion and falls.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition which occurs as a consequence of women drinking alcohol during their pregnancy. It covers a wide range of symptoms and affects each baby differently. Examples include facial changes and learning disabilities, trouble with coordination or attention and hyperactivity. It can also affect the kidneys, bones, and the heart, and cause growth problems. The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is often used interchangeably, but more specifically describes certain collections of symptoms related to damage by alcohol during pregnancy, of which FAS is the most severe end of the spectrum. Symptoms may be subtle and there may be no physical signs, but it’s thought to be underdiagnosed, and numbers have risen in recent years along with alcohol abuse.

Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is a bacterium that can spread in semen or vaginal fluid and infect the vagina, uterus (womb), urethra (tube for the passage of urine, plus semen in men), the penis, rectum and, less commonly, the throat and eyes. It may cause no symptoms at all but if it does, signs to look out for are a vaginal, penile or rectal discharge. This is usually watery and white or cloudy, and there may also be pain or stinging when peeing. In the longer term, men may get pain in the testicles and women develop pain in the pelvis, especially when having sex, and bleeding after sex or between periods. Ultimately it can cause infertility if left untreated. It may also cause joint inflammation (arthritis) and irritated red eyes (conjunctivitis). Given the high stakes and the fact that you may have no symptoms at all, it’s important to get tested regularly. This is especially important if you are aged 16 to 25, as this is the highest risk age group. If you're a woman, sexually active and under 25, it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners. If you're a man, sexually active and under 25 it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you’re not using condoms with new or casual partners. Get an STI test at the change of any partner (use condoms until you both get the all-clear) and if you’re changing partners regularly or have multiple partners, get tested every three months.

Cystitis means inflammation of the bladder and is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Cystitis is often used interchangeably with the term urinary tract infection (UTI), although technically, cystitis is a subtype of the umbrella term UTI, which also includes infections in other parts of the kidney-bladder-urethra system. Common complaints are pain or burning on passing urine, needing to go more often, and yet little may be passed and racing to the bathroom with great urgency to pass urine. Less common symptoms include stomach pain, blood in the urine or smelly urine. Cystitis is usually caused by certain bacteria, many of which occur naturally on your skin and in your gut. Owing to the close proximity of your waterworks to the bowel system, bacteria that are usually harmless in the feces or on your skin can contaminate the urinary system and cause a bladder infection.

The womb is a pear-shaped female organ in your pelvis where a baby grows during pregnancy. It’s mostly muscular, and its lining is called the endometrium. Endometrial cancer begins in the lining of the womb and can then spread to the body of the womb and is sometimes referred to as uterine cancer. When discovered early enough, removal of the womb can cure the cancer. It’s the 4th most common cancer in women in the US with over 65,000 women developing it each year. Most cases occur over the age of 50 with the peak incidence being between the ages of 75 and 80. Most women get symptoms and therefore present at an early stage, giving a good chance that any treatment will succeed. The chances of survival are fairly good, and – taking into account all the different levels of endometrial cancer - more than 81% survive 5 years or more.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to that lining the uterus (womb) grows outside of the womb, which can cause pain and other symptoms. The exact number of women with endometriosis is unclear because there are sometimes no symptoms, but about 1 in 10 of women in the US are affected and it also frequently runs in families. It’s rare in women after menopause. The endometrium consists of glands, lots of blood vessels and other supportive tissues and during the menstrual cycle hormones cause the endometrium to thicken in order to nourish an embryo if a pregnancy occurs. Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where there is repetitive irritation from the deposits that are present outside of the womb. These deposits vary greatly in size from tiny to large, can cause inflammation, and eventually scarring. This causes parts of pelvic organs to stick together, increasing the sensitivity of nerves and leading to chronic pain. The cervix (the neck of the womb) is commonly affected.

Breast engorgement happens when your breasts become too full of milk. This causes them to feel tight and painful and hard and can be very uncomfortable for a mom. Engorgement can also affect the nipple, making it stretched or flat and painful. This can be unsettling for babies as it becomes difficult for them to attach to the breast properly. Breast engorgement happens when the supply and demand for milk are out of sync. Commonly it occurs in the early days when both mother and baby are getting used to each other's needs. But it can also happen later when the baby is older and begins reducing the amount or the frequency of their feeds; for example, when transitioning to solids, cow’s milk, formula milk, or if the mom is away from home for longer than usual.

The cervix is known as the neck of the womb and is a narrow muscular opening connecting the vagina to the womb (uterus). Cancer can affect any part of the cervix. Cervical cancer is most commonly caused by certain strains of a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The risk of cervical cancer has been much reduced with both the US’s cervical screening program and the HPV vaccination program. It's a relatively uncommon cancer but receives a lot of attention as it is so easily prevented if early cell changes are caught and because it affects young women who are otherwise healthy and at low risk of other cancers.

Warts are small fleshy growths or bumps with a hardened dry top, most often flesh-colored, but can appear red if irritated. Several can appear in a cluster. Genital warts are sexually transmitted infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and spread by vaginal, anal, digital, and oral sex or sharing sex toys. They are not harmful and can disappear within a few months, but they can become irritated and sore if they rub or catch on clothing, and some people are bothered by their appearance. You also put your partner or partners at risk of contracting them if left untreated. Depending on their size or location, they may catch on clothes or feel a bit sore and sometimes itch or bleed. They may not cause you any bother. Or you may be bothered by your appearance, which can affect your confidence and, inevitably, intimate relationships.

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This can easily pass from person to person via unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex or sharing of sex toys. Condoms help to prevent catching gonorrhea. This may cause no noticeable symptoms, or it can cause a yellow/green, watery, or pus-like discharge from the penis, vagina, or rectum. It may cause pain on peeing; for women, pain during sex, bleeding after sex, or bleeding between periods, and for men, pain in the testicles. It can cause joint inflammation (reactive arthritis) and eye symptoms (conjunctivitis) and, if left untreated, can cause infertility. Given the high stakes and the fact that you may have no symptoms, it’s important to get tested regularly. This is especially important if you are 16 to 25, as this is the highest-risk age group. Get an STI test at the change of any partner (use condoms until you both get the all-clear) and at least once a year.