Gynecology

Urinary Tract Infections

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

For an uncomplicated UTI, a three- to seven-day course of antibiotics will provide rapid relief. You also may be given a prescription for pyridium, a medication that eases bladder pain while the antibiotic is taking effect. For recurrent or more serious infections, treatment may be extended to 10 to 14 days. Patients with four or more infections a year may need to take small doses of antibiotics daily or with intercourse for several months to allow the bladder to heal. Vaginal estrogen cream also may prevent recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 28, 2008