Can you get abdominal pain with a UTI?

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is a common condition in which bacteria from the skin, genitals or anus enter the urinary tract and cause infection. A UTI causes inflammation of the urinary tract lining, which may result in pain or cramping in the abdomen, lower back pain as well as lower pelvic pain or pressure. However, burning or pain when urinating is the most common symptom. These are symptoms associated with UTIs, mainly due to the irritation of the walls of the bladder and urethra.

Other typical UTI symptoms include:

• Bladder feeling full although it's empty
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Foul odor to urine
• Frequent peeing
• Leaking urine

If left untreated, UTIs can sometimes develop into more serious illnesses, such as kidney infections. Fortunately, most UTIs can be treated before this happens.

People often describe UTI pain as a burning sensation, bladder pressure, sharp pain in the bladder or cramping. These symptoms may be mild or severe. Young children or people with disabilities may not be able to describe their symptoms to their caregivers.

Other issues may cause pain and cramping in the bladder area, including pregnancy, menstrual pains, bloating, ovarian cysts, appendicitis, stomach pain and constipation. It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as symptoms begin in order to be properly diagnosed and treated.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms of a UTI, seek advice from your healthcare provider. If you’re diagnosed with a UTI, there are treatment options available to you as well as over-the-counter urinary tract infection products that can help with some of the symptoms you may be experiencing.

Updated by Rebeca Thomas RN, BSN, January 2025.