Urinary Tract Infection Specialist

Park Avenue Urogynecology

Urogynecology & Gynecologic Surgery located in Upper East Side, New York, NY

Millions of American women seek medical treatment for urinary tract infections each year. To treat symptoms of an infection and reduce your risk for complications, Soo Kwon, MD, offers comprehensive care at Park Avenue Urogynecology. Dr. Kwon can test your urine to confirm an infection. She also customizes a treatment plan to clear the infection and prevent it from spreading to your kidneys. Call the Upper East Side office in Manhattan, New York, today or book a consultation online.

Urinary Tract Infection Q&A

What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) describes an infection in any part of your urinary tract, including your bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra.  

Women may also be prone to UTIs because of:

  • Sexual activity
  • Menopause
  • Suppressed immune system
  • Certain types of birth control
  • Urinary tract abnormalities

If you have any type of urinary procedure, you may also be at risk of developing a UTI.

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

It’s possible to have bacteria in your urine without having a urinary tract infection. However, if you have bacteria AND symptoms, you should have an evaluation and/or treatment.

However, if the infection worsens, you may experience symptoms like:

  • A strong urge to urinate
  • Burning during urination
  • Blood in your urine
  • Pelvic pain

You may also notice that you need to use the bathroom more frequently, but only pass small amounts of urine when you urinate.

You can schedule urine testing at Park Avenue Urogynecology if you have any of these symptoms. Dr. Kwon can also use a scope to look inside your bladder to identify the cause.

When left untreated, a UTI can spread into your kidneys and cause permanent organ damage or sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection.

How is a urinary tract infection treated?

In general, you will need a course of antibiotics to clear an active urinary tract infection.

Typically, these medications will provide relief of your pain and other symptoms within a few days. However, it’s crucial that you finish all of your antibiotics to reduce your risk of the infection returning.

If you have recurrent or frequent UTIs, Dr. Kwon may prescribe a low-dose antibiotic that you take for several months at a time.

She can also recommend lifestyle and dietary changes that can lower your risk for repeat infections, such as drinking plenty of water every day and avoiding stimulants that irritate your bladder.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of a urinary tract infection, call Park Avenue Urogynecology today or book an appointment online.