Urinary Tract Infection

If you experience frequent urination, burning upon urination, or discolored urine, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI) that can cause complications if left untreated. At Aloha Urology, board-certified urologists Garry Peers, MD, Tim Roytman, MD, and Jason Smotherman treat UTIs to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and restore your quality of life. Aloha Urology has locations in Honolulu, Hawaii and the neighboring islands. Call our office at the first sign of a UTI.


What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common infection in the body. It’s an infection in your urinary tract, which includes your kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder. Many UTIs involve the bladder or urethra. 

Anybody can get a urinary tract infection, but women have a greater risk than men of developing one.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

Urinary tract infections produce various symptoms, depending on how severe the infection is. Symptoms of a UTI include:

  • Pain upon urination
  • Burning with urination
  • Fever, shakiness, or tiredness
  • Frequent urination
  • An urge to urinate often
  • Pressure in your lower abdomen
  • Cloudy, reddish, pinkish, brownish, or smelly urine
  • Pain below your ribs or in your back

If left untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney damage, low birth weight, or premature birth during pregnancy, urethral narrowing, or sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition.

What are the risk factors of UTIs?

UTIs usually occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply in your bladder. Factors that increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection include:

  • Sexual intercourse
  • STDs
  • Being a woman
  • Some forms of birth control, such as diaphragms and spermicidal agents
  • Urinary tract blockages or other abnormalities
  • Using a catheter
  • A recent urinary procedure
  • A suppressed immune system
  • Having diabetes
  • A spinal cord injury

Women are about four times more likely than men to develop UTIs.

What is the treatment for UTIs?

To diagnose a UTI, your provider reviews your medical history and completes an exam. He may analyze a urine sample, use imaging techniques (CT scans or MRIs), or use a scope to view the inside of your bladder.

Your urologist recommends the best treatment for your unique needs. He may suggest oral antibiotics, vaginal estrogen therapy for menopausal women, or intravenous antibiotics in a hospital setting for severe UTIs.

How can I lower my risk of a UTI?

You can’t always avoid getting a UTI but taking the following steps reduces your risk of developing one:

  • Drink cranberry juice
  • Drink lots of water
  • Empty your bladder after sexual intercourse
  • Wipe from front to back after using the restroom
  • Avoid spermicide-treated or unlubricated condoms and diaphragms
  • Steer clear of irritating feminine products

If you still suspect a UTI despite your best efforts, make an appointment with Aloha Urology by phone today.

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