Published on: 5/6/2025
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) usually cause pain or burning when peeing, not itching. If you experience itching, it may be from another condition like a vaginal infection.
UTIs mainly cause discomfort such as burning during urination, frequent urges to pee, and pain in the lower tummy area. Itching is not a typical symptom of a UTI. Instead, itching is more often linked with infections that affect the vagina, such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. As noted in published studies, doctors mostly look for symptoms like pain, burning, and increased frequency when diagnosing a UTI. On the other hand, research on vaginal health shows that changes in the natural bacteria of the vagina can lead to infections that may cause itching and irritation. Sometimes, a woman may have both a UTI and a vaginal infection, which might make it seem like the UTI is causing the itch. If you notice itching along with your urinary symptoms, it is a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider so that they can determine the exact cause and recommend the right treatment. This way, both the urinary and vaginal areas receive proper care.
(References)
Car J. Urinary tract infections in women: diagnosis and management in primary care. BMJ. 2006 Jan 14;332(7533):94-7. doi: 10.1136/bmj.332.7533.94. PMID: 16410583; PMCID: PMC1326933.
Kaambo E, Africa C, Chambuso R, Passmore JS. Vaginal Microbiomes Associated With Aerobic Vaginitis and Bacterial Vaginosis. Front Public Health. 2018 Mar 26;6:78. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00078. PMID: 29632854; PMCID: PMC5879096.
Ojha S, Vishwakarma PK, Mishra S, Tripathi SM. Impact of Urinary Tract and Vaginal Infections on the Physical and Emotional Well-being of Women. Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2025;25(1):e310524230589. doi: 10.2174/0118715265286164240508064714. PMID: 38831576.
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