UTIs suck, and when symptoms come on, they feel neverending. With immediate treatment by a doctor, a urinary tract infection can resolve quite quickly. Antibiotics are incredible, life-saving drugs and currently the only known effective treatment for UTI.

After a medical professional tests for a UTI, they will determine an effective antibiotic treatment for each specific infection. It's crucial to take away these two reminders. First, you should not wait for a UTI to go away on its own. Second, follow the guidance of a medical professional if you are diagnosed with a UTI and complete the prescribed treatment cycle to ensure the infection is cleared.

While you are on your prescribed treatment plan, how do you know if your UTI is starting to clear?

We’ll give you a rundown of the possible signs that indicate your infection is clearing up, along with signs that it may not be.

How to Monitor if Your UTI is Going Away: Watch Your Symptoms

It’s important to keep an eye on how you're feeling if you have a UTI, even after going to the doctor. Common UTI symptoms include a strong urge to urinate often, burning during urination, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, blood in the urine, and pelvic pain⁽¹⁾.

If your UTI symptoms start to improve with treatment, it’s usually a good sign, but not always a guarantee. If they persist, get worse, or you develop new symptoms like a fever or back pain, it may mean the infection hasn’t cleared or has spread. In that case, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider.

Signs Your UTI is Clearing Up Following Treatment

As your UTI begins to improve, you’ll notice certain symptoms starting to fade. While recovery times can vary depending on the severity of your infection, these are key signs that your treatment is working⁽²⁾:

• Easing of pain: The burning sensation during urination and discomfort in your lower abdomen should gradually subside.
• Reduced urge to urinate: The constant, urgent need to use the bathroom will lessen, and trips to the restroom will feel more normal.

However, keep in mind that, even if your UTI symptoms are gone, it doesn't always mean the infection is completely cleared, especially if you have a complicated UTI (one that involves the kidneys, occurs during pregnancy, or affects people with conditions like diabetes). In these cases, a urine culture might be needed to confirm the infection is gone⁽²⁾.

Additionally, if your symptoms don’t improve after antibiotics, you may need a longer course or a different antibiotic⁽²⁾.

If Symptoms Worsen After Treatment, Talk to Your Doctor

If your UTI isn’t clearing up after starting antibiotics, watch for these common symptoms and make a plan to see your physician⁽¹⁾:

1. Persistent Pain

If you still feel pain or discomfort when you urinate, it’s possible that the infection hasn’t cleared.

2. Frequent Urgency to Urinate

If you have a constant urge to pee — particularly if it’s accompanied by pain — the infection may still be present.

3. Cloudy or Bloody Urine

Urine that’s persistently cloudy or bloody may be an indication of chronic inflammation or a present infection.

4. Chills and Fever

Prolonged chills and fever could indicate a more serious illness that may need further treatment⁽³⁾.

5. Incomplete Resolution

If you’ve finished an antibiotic treatment and your UTI symptoms haven’t improved, it’s likely that the infection hasn’t been completely cleared up.

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should see a doctor right away so that they can assess the severity of your UTI and alter your treatment plan accordingly.

Is My UTI Going Away? Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a UTI to heal?

Multiple factors, including the severity of the infection and the body’s response to prescribed care, can influence how long it takes for a UTI to fully resolve.

In most cases, antibiotic treatment for a simple UTI will result in noticeable improvement within three to five days⁽⁴⁾.

It may take longer for a UTI to completely clear up if it’s more severe. If it’s spread to the kidneys or if it’s caused by an antibiotic resistant strain of bacteria, recovery can take up to two weeks⁽⁵⁾. If symptoms persist, a doctor or medical practitioner should be consulted for advice and to check on the infection’s status.

If I pee more, will it flush out my UTI?

Drinking more water helps dilute your urine and makes you urinate more often, which can help flush bacteria from your urinary tract⁽⁶⁾.

A study in JAMA found that women who drank an extra 1.5 liters of water daily were less likely to get another UTI than those who drank less. While staying hydrated is important, it’s worth noting that drinking water alone won’t cure a UTI—you’ll still need proper treatment⁽⁶⁾.

What’s the longest amount of time a UTI can last?

A UTI’s severity and duration is dependent on how complicated it is; the farther the bacteria has traveled up the urinary tract, the more complicated it may be⁽⁶⁾. In most situations, antibiotic treatment for less complex UTIs will begin to show positive results within three to five days⁽⁴⁾.

Final Thoughts

UTIs can be severely painful, but we’re here to help you get through it by rounding up expert perspectives on the signs a UTI may be going away . Remember not to ignore the early symptoms of a UTI, and seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid more serious health consequences.

If you experience any symptoms of a UTI, be sure to see a doctor and get professional care, and take a proactive approach to your sexual and urinary health. 

Note: references to "female", “women”, “male”, and “men” in this article refer to sex assigned at birth, not gender.

This article does not replace medical advice. We recommend you seek treatment if you think you are experiencing a UTI.