Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women
Assessed by our pharmacy team under NHS Pharmacy First - no GP appointment needed for eligible patients.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system - most often the bladder. In women it usually causes cystitis: a burning feeling when passing urine, needing to go more often than usual, and urgency.
UTIs are common. Around half of women will have at least one in their lifetime. Most lower UTIs are straightforward to treat, and our pharmacist can assess and treat eligible women without a GP appointment.
Common signs of a lower UTI
- Pain or a burning feeling when passing urine
- Needing to pass urine more often than usual, or suddenly
- Urine that looks cloudy, or smells stronger than normal
- Pain low down in your tummy
- Feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder
How we can help
Under NHS Pharmacy First, our pharmacist can assess women aged 16 to 64 with symptoms of a lower UTI. The assessment is a short conversation about your symptoms, your health and any medicines you take.
If a bacterial infection is likely, the pharmacist can supply antibiotics where clinically appropriate. If your symptoms suggest something the service does not cover - such as a possible kidney infection or a UTI in pregnancy - you will be directed to the right NHS care straight away.
Treatment
Where treatment is needed, a short course of antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim is usually prescribed by the pharmacist. Drinking plenty of water and taking simple pain relief such as paracetamol can also help while the infection clears.
Get urgent help if you have
- A high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- Pain in your side, lower back or around the kidneys
- Blood in your urine
- Being sick, or unable to keep fluids down
- Symptoms during pregnancy, or repeated UTIs in a short period
Common questions
Related reading
Think you have utis in women?
Book an NHS Pharmacy First assessment, or walk in and speak to our team.