Urine Infection

[1 latina]

For couple of weeks, I have a smelly urine(it smells like an old urine was left for days on toilet bowl),urgent and frequent need to urinate, difficulty during urination or a hard time trying to start to urinate .tenderness over the bladder area and pain in the lower back.
Can I use over the counter medication to cure the infection?
Thank you for your time.

[laurenoid]

EVERY WOMAN should buy a box of Azo or Uristat and keep it around in case of UTI symptoms!! Both are available over the counter at grocery and drug stores, and they work wonders. I have a UTI right now and I had to pull off the highway to get a box of Uristat as fast as possible. It almost TOTALLY numbs the bladder and urethra so you don't have to writhe in pain while waiting to see your doctor. Only drawback is that it stains your pee bright orange, but who gives a damn when you're in pain!!

[mishmosh]

I have a uti right now too...I was able to alleviate symptoms by drinking a lot of water until the next day when I has my doctor's appointment. But if you do have an infection, you need antibiotics. The symptoms should get much better within a couple hours of the first dose.

[spade22]

I agree with Christie2004 - you need to see a doctor and get the problem evaluated so you can begin treatment right away.  If you have a UTI you will need to start treatment right away otherwise, more serious, medical conditions can present if this is left untreated, e.g. kidney infections and Rieters syndrome Take care.

[Christie2004]

No, you need to see a physician and have this evaluated so you can be treated properly.  There are over the counter test strips for UTI's, but they are limited--you will still need to go and give a correctly obtained sample to identify the organism and get the proper antibiotic.