4 Myths About UTIs
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Apr 07, 2026
Every year, more than 8 million people visit a health care provider for a urinary tract infection (UTI). Although UTIs are very common, there’s a lot of misinformation about what causes them and how to treat them.
Believing common myths about UTIs can delay proper care, increasing the risk of developing more serious health problems.
Our team at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland treats many patients with UTIs and often sees complications when people wait too long to seek care. Here are four common myths about UTIs and the truth behind them.
UTIs are significantly more prevalent in women than in men, but men can develop the common infection as well. Most UTIs are caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria normally found in the large intestine.
Women are more prone to UTIs because they have a shorter urethra, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. However, men aren’t immune. Certain health conditions can increase the risk in men, including kidney stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), both of which can affect urine flow.
For many years, cranberry juice has been a go-to remedy for UTIs. Some people drink the tart juice to treat and prevent infections.
Cranberry juice contains a compound that may help prevent bacteria from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract. However, research on whether cranberry juice can effectively prevent or treat UTIs has produced mixed results — you shouldn’t rely on it as a cure.
Drinking more fluids can reduce your risk of UTIs by flushing bacteria from the urinary tract before it has a chance to multiply. Cranberry juice can count toward your daily fluid intake, but water is usually the best choice.
You may automatically assume that if it burns when you urinate, you must have a UTI. While that burning is one symptom, UTIs don’t always cause obvious signs.
Other common UTI symptoms include:
However, not everyone experiences these symptoms. You may overlook the infection if your symptoms are mild or atypical. Older adults, for example, often experience symptoms like confusion or fatigue when they have a UTI, making it difficult to recognize.
Many UTIs start as a mild infection, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to ignore it. Like any infection, a UTI can worsen when left untreated.
In some cases, the infection can spread to the kidneys or enter the bloodstream. These complications can lead to serious conditions, such as kidney damage or sepsis.
Seeking care early can help prevent problems. At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, we can quickly check for a UTI with a simple urine test. If you have an infection, we typically prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
Most people begin to feel better within a few days, but it’s important to take the full course of antibiotics to ensure the infection clears completely and to reduce the risk of recurrence.
UTIs are common, but misunderstandings about them are, too. Knowing the facts and recognizing the symptoms early can mean getting the treatment you need before complications develop. If you think you have a UTI, our urgent care team can diagnose and treat your infection.
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