Subtle UTI Symptoms Women Over 50 Should Never Put Up With

Yahoo

15-07-2025

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by bacteria entering the urethra and traveling through the urinary system. The most common type of UTI is—you guessed it—a bladder infection. Odds are you've had one before, since at least 50 to 60 percent of women get a UTI at some point in their lives. The problem? If you miss the early symptoms of a UTI, it can lead to serious complications.
'Leaving a UTI untreated increases the risk of the infection spreading to the kidneys, which can cause permanent damage or even lead to sepsis,' says Uma Darji, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician in Raleigh, NC. That's why it's important to recognize UTI symptoms early. Here we explain who's most at risk, what to watch for and what to do if you suspect you have a UTI.
Women experience UTIs about four times as often as men. This is partly because women have a shorter urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. The female urethra is also closer to the anus, where E.coli—the bacteria that causes around 80 percent of UTIs—is often found.
Menopause can increase UTI risk even further. 'In menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly,' says Sara Tariq, MD, an internal medicine physician at Northern Virginia Family Practice. 'As a result, the urethra becomes thinner and drier, making it easier for bacteria on the skin to enter the bladder and cause an infection.' Lower estrogen levels also lead to a decrease in lactobacilli, a protective bacteria in the bladder and vagina that helps to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, Dr. Tariq adds.
People with diabetes or high blood sugar may be at a high risk for UTIs. According to a review of research published in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to get UTIs because sugar in the urine can feed harmful bacteria. Nerve damage from diabetes may also make it difficult to fully empty your bladder, which gives bacteria more time to multiply, increasing the risk of infection.
In addition to being in menopause or having diabetes, sexual activity, holding your urine, dehydration and wiping from back to front can also increase your UTI risk, Dr. Darji says. If any of these risk factors apply to you, it's especially important to be on the lookout for early warning signs of a bladder infection. Some of the most common UTI symptoms include:
Frequent urination
An urgent need to urinate
Pain or burning with urination
Pain in the lower abdomen
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
If the infection is left untreated and spreads to your kidneys, you may also experience fever or back pain, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Some women may also have more subtle UTI symptoms that are easy to dismiss to write off as something else. 'Less obvious UTI symptoms include fatigue, pelvic discomfort, a sudden change in mental status or blood in the urine,' Dr. Darji says.
And people over 65 may also experience urinary incontinence, nighttime urination or confusion with a UTI, Dr. Tariq says. It can be easy to chalk bladder leaks up to aging or blame brain fog for confusion—but be sure to talk to your doctor, especially if you're also experiencing other UTI symptoms.
If you think you may have a urinary tract infection, an over-the-counter test may be able to confirm your suspicions. But if the test comes up negative and you're still experiencing UTI symptoms, let your doctor know anyway. 'OTC test strips can help as an initial screen, but they can miss infections or give false positives,' Dr. Darji says. 'They don't replace a medical evaluation. If symptoms persist or worsen, always see your doctor.'
And of course if you notice signs of a serious infection, head to urgent care. 'Red flag symptoms that require urgent care include fevers, chills, nausea, vomiting, severe back pain or generally feeling weak or ill,' Dr. Darji says.
If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic to clear up your UTI, be sure to take it as prescribed. 'In addition to antibiotics, people should drink plenty of water to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract,' Dr. Darji says. 'Avoid bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods and artificial sweeteners until the infection clears.'
Sometimes it can take a few days for antibiotics to really kick in and start to provide noticeable relief from UTI symptoms. If your symptoms are causing serious discomfort, an over-the-counter pain reliever like phenazopyridine may help to relieve pain and burning from a UTI, Dr. Tariq says.
You may also want to try sipping unsweetened cranberry juice. While there's no conclusive evidence that it'll clear up a UTI you already have, research published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews suggests that cranberry juice and cranberry supplements may reduce the risk of recurring UTIs.
Want to read more health stories? Keep scrolling!
Why Do I Feel Like I Have to Pee But Can't? Common Causes and Simple Home Remedies
How To Tell if Your Pelvic Floor Is Tight or Weak—and Why Kegels Aren't Always the Answer
Your Sleep Position May Be Causing Bladder Leaks: How to Protect Your Pelvic Floor Health
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.