Planned Parenthood

I had sex for the first time 5 days ago & again 2 days after that but now it really hurts to pee. It stings & I also get really bad urges to pee but either nothing comes out or it’s very little. I looked it up online & everything points to a UTI. It says the only way to fully get rid of it is antibiotics from a doctor but I’m too embarrassed to ask my mom in case she starts asking questions. Is there any other way to get rid of it?

It sounds like a urinary tract infection to us, too. Painful urination and feeling like you have to pee all the time are both signs of a UTI, as is blood in your urine. The good news is that UTIs are really common and easily treatable. The less good news is that the info you’ve heard is right — the only way to get rid of your UTI is with antibiotics, and you have to get those from a doctor. Your local Planned Parenthood health center can help you out, and so can many other health care providers and clinics.

It’s super important to see a nurse or doctor as soon as possible. If you let your UTI go untreated, it can turn into something way more serious, like a kidney infection.

It’s pretty easy to get a UTI, and they don’t happen just to people who are sexually active. They can happen to anyone.  So telling your mom about it doesn’t have to be embarrassing. If you’re feeling really squeamish, it’s okay to let her know. You could try saying something like, “This is sort of embarrassing, but I’ve been having these weird symptoms, and I looked them up online and I think I have a UTI.” There’s a good chance your mom has had a UTI herself at one point or another.  If you’re still reluctant to tell her about it give your health care provider a call to ask about their privacy policies.

- Alex at Planned Parenthood