Visual summary
Confirm infections, identify risks, and choose prevention with evidence that fits you.
Text version
Keep an infection record
Record symptom dates, urine-culture results, antibiotics, and whether symptoms cleared. Bring the list to review. When symptoms recur, contact the team and give a urine sample before antibiotics if requested and practical; other conditions can mimic infection.
Discuss everyday habits
Avoid dehydration when appropriate and discuss factors such as spermicide use. Fluid advice must fit kidney or heart conditions. Recurrent infection is not a personal failure.
After menopause
Vaginal estrogen may reduce recurrent UTIs for suitable patients. Ask whether it fits your situation and how it differs from systemic hormone treatment.
Be realistic about supplements
Cranberry may help some people, but products and results vary. A major D-mannose trial did not show meaningful prevention benefit. Supplements do not treat an active infection.
Get a precise prevention plan
Ask whether vaginal estrogen, a non-antibiotic option, or targeted antibiotics fits your situation. If given a self-start prescription, confirm which symptoms trigger it, whether to collect urine first, and when to call; it treats an episode rather than preventing one.
Fever or flank pain: call today
Fever/chills, back or flank pain, vomiting, pregnancy with urinary symptoms, or worsening illness needs prompt medical assessment. Seek emergency help for confusion, fainting, or severe illness. Contact the team if treatment is not improving symptoms.