UTI or urinary tract infection affects millions of women worldwide. The urinary tract is a system consisting of the bladder, tubes called ureters as well as the kidneys. This system creates and transports the urine out of the body, but in some cases, germs get inside the urine causing an infection known as UTI or bladder infection. One of the major symptoms of a UTI is intense back pain on the lower side, particularly on the right side, or in some cases, just below the ribs.
Here are the symptoms of UTI in detail:
- Painful urination
- The urgency to ‘go’ frequently but hardly producing any urine at all.
- The urine may be cloudy, reddish or bloody.
- There is a bad odor accompanying the urine.
- Fever may be present
- Cramps in the abdomen are also reported by some women
- Lower back pain or pain in the flanks or just below the ribcage is also common in UTI.
Why does the back hurt during UTI?
Many times, a bladder infection remains untreated for a long time. This results in spreading of the infection from the bladder to the kidneys. This is when most patients complain of a dull pain in the back. Fever, chills, nausea and vomiting are other symptoms of a kidney infection resulting from UTI complications.
When should you see a doctor?
If the symptoms of the UTI, particularly your back pain are affecting your day-to-day life, or if you have had frequent UTIs in the past few months, you must see a specialist without further delay. Urologists can recommend the right tests to diagnose your condition and can also help prevent further complications.
Many pregnant women tend to get UTIs in their 2nd or 3rd trimester. Most such cases are not serious and the symptoms gradually ease after a few days. However; in some cases, a course of antibiotics may be necessary. This can help cure the bladder infection lower back pain, provided one takes the medicines as prescribed by the doctor. Even if the back pain has eased after taking the medicine for a few days, one must not stop it and must complete the full dosage. Failure to do so could cause the infection to recur.
Back pain: Is it related to UTI or something else?
Many STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis often produce symptoms similar to those of bladder infection, including lower back pain. Likewise, yeast infections can also cause intense pain in lower or right side of the back especially when the fungal infection enters the blood stream. Hence a lab test must be performed to rule out these possibilities.
Causes of UTI
- Honeymoon cystitis is a common condition that can lead to UTI and related backache. Many women tend to get bladder infections each time they have sexual intercourse. Those using a diaphragm for birth control are also at greater risk from such infections.
- Patients with weak immune system, elderly or disable patients using catheters are also at a risk from recurring UTIs.
- Women who use douches, fragrant shower gels or other personal feminine hygiene products can also increase the chances of developing UTIs.
- Menopause and pregnancy are two other conditions that could cause UTIs due to hormonal changes.
- Women who do not drink adequate fluids are unknowingly increasing their UTI risks.
- Also, holding the urine for longer periods or having a tendency of developing kidney stones can also cause UTI back pain on the left side of the body.
- Similarly, men with enlarged prostate or those with kidney stones can also develop bladder infection and subsequent pain in the back side.
Treating bladder infection symptoms
Recurrent bladder infections can be treated using single lower daily doses of antibiotics. Women with tendency of developing UTIs following sexual intercourse can also take a single dose of antibiotic immediately after sex. Many doctors also advise patients to self treat their UTI symptoms using 3-day antibiotic courses as soon as they occur. One can even take a fever reduce/pain killer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen to ease the UTI back pain. Sleeping with a hot water bag can also relieve symptoms of abdominal pain and UTI back ache.
In some cases, there are no symptoms accompanying the bladder infection-known as asymptomatic UTIs. These often lead the patient to have a bladder infection for long time. Only a chance/ routine urine examination shows presence of bacteria in the urine. Naturally, no treatment is needed, but, pregnant women, children or those with risk of developing a kidney infection must be treated immediately nevertheless.
In conclusion
Back pain especially UTI related lower back pain on the right side should not be ignored.See your doctor immediately if the pain returns shortly after you have been treated with antibiotics.
Started experiencing UTI symptoms such as burning when I pee and having to go a lot. It would come and go and I have had them go away with some help of cranberry and probiotics. Then I started experiencing pain on the right side of my lower back and my heart rate was rapid, felt like I had a fever when I was trying to sleep. The next morning I threw up. I went to work and was miserable, very dehydrated but was constantly drinking water. During this time it no longer burned when I peed but had terrible back pain that got worse throughout the day. After work I went to med express. They tested my urine and said they didn’t find any active cultures but there was a slight trace of blood. They gave me an antibiotic for 7 days and told me they would send my urine in to get another test to make sure there were no active cultures. The pain in my back felt al ot better after two days of taking the antibiotics but it still felt a little sore. Kind of like a muscle pain. The doctors called me after a couple of days and said all my tests came back negative and they even told me I didn’t have to finish the antibiotics. I didn’t feel like that was a good idea so I finished the 7 day antibiotics. I have no pain when I pee anymore but my right side is still very tender and sore. Exercising has helped somewhat. But its still sore when I move or sit a certain way. I have a bit of muscle pain down my leg on that side as well. Just wondering if this is normal after have a kidney infection and how long I should wait to see another doctor. My regular doctor is booked until May 18th when I have an appointment. I can’t tell if I have blood in my urine because whenever I still got tested and the doctors said I had blood in my urine it just looked yellow. Not red like i thought it would. This is the only time I’ve ever had a UTI and have been treated with antibiotics for it so I don’t know what is normal. Anyone else experience this?
Hi I have exact same symptoms as you said did you find what’s the reason for back pain?
Please let me know as I am going through the same pain.
Has anyone had a UTI throw them into sudden anxiety and mood changes?
You know what? I have a kidney stone. Its lodged in my kidney where it’s not going to be able to move on it’s on out. But one time when I first found out about it. I was in bed and anxiety started my heart was racing and I told my husband I wanted to go to emergency like right know. When I got there I had a bad UTI and had to get started on IV antibiotics asap. I did not feel any UTI in my body. Or I would have went to the doctor. I was going to the bathroom at night a lot. I just thought it was from the kidney stone. So yes it can, it happened to me. I went through anxiety for a couple days before I went to the emergency.
Normally I do not reply to posts but I felt compelled to do so since I have been a long standing UTI sufferer. It seems most of you that still have symptoms after the antibiotic regimen is finished could be drinking orange juice. Orange juice was not my friend and I didn’t learn that from my doctor but a stranger in passing asked me if I drank orange juice..of course I did..I loved the stuff ..drank it everyday. When I stopped drinking it..low and behold the symptoms I had (Back pain and clitoris sensations) disappeared. The acid in 100% orange juice will irritate your healing urinary tract. Just thought I would put this out there and what worked for me. I’m not saying never drink orange juice for those of us that have consistent UTI’s but don’t drink it during and after treatment. I just don’t drink it anymore for myself and It has been the right choice for me.
Hello everyone,
I have always suffered from UTI. Sometimes I treated, and sometimes it goes away by itself. Now I am 8 weeks pregnant, and ever since I’ve had UTI that doesn’t go away. I am on my second course of antibiotics. It’s getting worse every day, my flank hurts, and lower back as well. The doctor did an ultrasound, it comes normal, so the kidneys are okay, but still I feel pain in the right kidney area/flank. I am puzzled what to do ?! I don’t want to take too much antibiotics, especially now when I am pregnant.
Please advice.
Ive been applying generous amounts of all three in equal parts.. Rosemary, purity, and melaleuca oils on the lower abdominal area and vaginal area every 3 hours. Its working quickly to heal me! And gives me comfort.
I have had UTI’s every other month since April 2016. Lately I read on the internet that Bragg’s Applecider Vinegar kills ecoli bacteria that cause UTI infections. I began to drink 1 teaspoon of the Braggs vinegar with 6 0unces of cold water in the morning and again at night. The discomfort I had in my lower abdomin and the pin pain I had in my clitoris disappeared in 24 hours. After a week I went to see a urologist and all my testing came back negative and clean of bacteria. My ultrasound of my kidneys and bladder were also good. Now I drink one glass of the Bragg’s vinegar mentioned above daily and currently show no symptoms of a UTI. I hope this is helpful to anyone who is experiencing what I went through.
Thanks I’ll try that 😀
I commend your suggestion. God i have to thank you for sharinf this! I’ve suspected i have uti because of urinal pain, lower back pain and other symptoms, for 3 days already, been loading up with water intake because this is what i used to do before nd it worked. Only this time the discomfort is really making me irrate, so i searched for other home remedies and stumbled on ur post. I ran to the kitchen and immediately did the bragg’s in water and drank it before bed. And to my surprise i woke up and my back pain and urinal pain is almost gone! The apple cider(s been sitting in my kitchen, unopened for like 8months already, didn’t realise. It could be so useful! Thank u very much!
I have had a UTI since June 16, i drink nothing but water and not sexually active so I do not know why i continue to get them. I went to doctor Aug 3 and again another UTI, my back and stomach hurts with a dull type pain but enough to keep me uncomfortable. I am on antibiotics plus i take AZO otc. I just don’t understand why it will not go away. Could i have a kidney disease or kidney problem of some kind. It seems my doctor would think it strange that i continue to have them. i am absolutely miserable. Any advice someone can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Amanda- hopefully you have found answers or at least relief. I started with a nasty UTI in August, and still am dealing with a slight UTI that just won’t go away. I also have back and lower abdominal pain (mostly above the pubic bone). I go to a urologist in a couple of weeks… Hope they figure something out!!
My Dr had a CT scan ordered and it came back negative, I believe the UTI is gone because it isn’t painful. She did find that I have gall stones so now I have to have my gall bladder removed. Thanks for your reply. I hope you get good news also.
Amanda, for the gallbladder: I don’t use the Black Walnut or ornithine, but you can try this very beneficial liver cleanse recipe. Afterwords, take 1 choline, from Standard Process, a day. You should be able to get these from a Chiropractor that does Applied Kinesiology, or Chiropractors can order them for you. Good luck….
Hi Samantha
I had UTI for two months now ( 1 month after UTI antibiotic treatment ), bacteria were treated but I was having painful urination, back pain and sensation in clitoris. It is very stressful. First , take a sigh , it’s normal according to my experience ,because of disturbing of normal flora in body by antibiotics. And also read somewhere that because of dampness and heat in urinary system .
What I did was started taking Parsley .
Grind fresh parsley , drink two spoons mixed with water in morning . And try to mix it in your water bottle and drink throughout the day .
If you are still having trouble it will go away.
I felt a lot of relief from pain and clitoris sensation .
Let me know what was your experience .
Hi. I’m finally done taking my meds from my uti but I’m still hurting when I pee. And I’m still having pain in my stomach and side. What’s wrong with me? Why am I still in pain?