We’re here to support you on every step of your journey, including understanding how UTIs symptoms can show up for different people. UTIs can often feel debilitating, and adding back pain into the mix can make you feel even worse. If you notice a dull, aching pain or sharp discomfort in your back while dealing with a UTI, it's important to seek treatment from your healthcare provider. This way, you can mitigate the infection from becoming more severe.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary system, which includes the bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidneys. Common UTI symptoms include frequent urination, painful urination, blood in the urine, and more. If a UTI progresses to your kidney, you may also develop symptoms such as a high fever, chills, and nausea.
While it's physically possible to have sex with a UTI, it's generally not advised to have sex during an active UTI. Anecdotally, having sex with a UTI can feel uncomfortable. Since a UTI is an active infection of the urinary tract, it could also worsen your symptoms, and potentially introduce more bacteria into your urinary tract. It’s generally recommended to hold off on sexual activities until UTI symptoms have cleared. There are a few sexual and urinary health measures that can support you in getting proactive about your urinary health, like peeing before and after sex, and making informed choices about lubrication.