Do You Have A UTI?

Feel like peeing all the time? You might have a urinary tract infection (UTI) that’s super common but rarely talked about. We’re here to fix that. Here’s what to look out for so you can seek early treatment.

- Adora Wong

Do you feel pain or a burning sensation whenever you pee? Or keep feeling like you have to pee though your bladder is relatively empty? You just might have a UTI. These symptoms can be as painful as they are embarrassing, but if you suspect you have a UTI, fret not, as it’s actually a very common problem.

According to Dr Michael Wong, Urologist at Mount Elizabeth’s International Urology, Fertility and Gynaecology Centre, a UTI affects two in five women here and is actually the seventh leading cause of death in Singapore.

There are three main types, each involving the infection of a specific part of the urinary tract, namely the urethra, bladder and kidneys. But as long as you get yourself checked as soon as possible, your chances of peeing painlessly again very soon are high.

But how?

A UTI has several causes. If you wipe from back to front after peeing, the bacteria from your anus can make its way to your urethra, which can result in an infection.