Get the facts about 8 common UTI myths

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of infection in the U.S. The condition is often associated with myths and misconceptions. David Chaikin, MD, a urologist at Atlantic Health, shares the facts about UTIs to help you make the best choices to stay healthy.

Myth 1: Only women get UTIs

Both men and women get UTIs. Men often get UTIs at a later age. “It’s related to how their bladder empties, perhaps because of a prostate problem,” Dr. Chaikin says.

Women can get UTIs throughout their lives. The risk increases in the postmenopausal years due to estrogen deficiencies.

Myth 2: All UTIs cause symptoms

Symptoms of a UTI are urinary urgency, frequency, burning, blood in the urine, generalized fatigue and kidney pain. Symptoms are the same for men and women.

“You can have the symptoms of a UTI without a UTI infection,” Dr. Chaikin says. “You can also have a UTI with no symptoms.”

Myth 3: Irritation during urination automatically means you have a UTI

Many things can cause irritation with urination, including a UTI. If you experience urgency, frequency, burning, fever or unexplained blood in the urine, you should see your doctor.

Myth 4: A UTI is a sexually transmitted infection

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are something different than a UTI. While a UTI cannot be passed to a partner, the bacteria that cause STIs can infect partners. Some STIs cause symptoms that are the same as UTI symptoms.

Myth 5: Sexual intercourse causes UTIs

UTIs often are associated with sex. For women, sex increases the risk of bacteria entering the urethra. Dr. Chaikin says you can take steps to prevent a UTI, such as:

Urinating before and after sex.
Washing the genital area before and after sex.
Fully emptying the bladder during urination.

Supplements or antibiotics offer additional preventive options.

Cranberry supplements can slow bacteria growth.
D-mannose, a sugar found in fruits, prevents E. coli bacteria from staying in the bladder, flushing it out with the urine.
Methanamine, if taken alone with vitamin C.
Your doctor may prescribe prophylactic antibiotics if you frequently get UTIs after sex.

Myth 6: All UTIs are mild

A UTI can affect the bladder, ureters and kidneys. Mild UTIs involve just the bladder. A complicated UTI causes fever and kidney pain. These symptoms may mean the infection is in the bloodstream, Dr. Chaikin says.

Myth 7: UTIs go away on their own

A true UTI does not go away on its own.

“Some people develop UTI symptoms that go away,” Dr. Chaikin says. “Odds are it wasn’t a true UTI.”

Bacterial infections must be treated with antibiotics. UTIs are usually diagnosed with a conventional urine culture. Up to a third of bacteria that cause UTIs won’t grow in that medium. This means you could have a UTI, but it might not be detected by this test.

Myth 8: Cranberry juice is a cure

Cranberry can stop bacteria from multiplying. Cranberry can prevent bacteria attaching to the bladder wall. This prevents bacteria from growing, but it is not a cure, Dr. Chaikin says.

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Published: October 28, 2025

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