Struggling with Frequent UTIs? Mary Cabell, FNP-C Shares What Every Woman Should Know

Recurring UTIs? Here’s What Every Woman Should Know

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common complaints we treat in our XXpressGYN Clinic at the Couri Center—affecting 1 in 5 women at some point in their lives. But not all infections are the same—and neither is how we test for them.

In this article, I explain the difference between traditional testing and Guidance UTI testing. This powerful diagnostic tool helps us better identify and treat infections, especially for patients with unclear results or ongoing symptoms.

Recognizing UTI Symptoms: What to Watch For

Common symptoms of a UTI may include:

• Burning with urination (dysuria)
• Urinary urgency
• Increased frequency of urination
• Lower abdominal pressure
• Cloudy urine
• Bloody urine
• New odor to urine

Signs of a more serious or complicated infection may include:

• Fever
• Flank pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• General feeling of being unwell

It’s important to be evaluated sooner rather than later—especially for older adults, as infections can sometimes worsen quickly.

How We Diagnose UTIs at the Couri Center

When you’re seen for a suspected UTI, your provider will do the following:

• Discuss your symptoms
• Perform an exam (if necessary)
• Collect a urine sample for testing

Your urine will be evaluated for blood, bacteria, and nitrites and then sent to a lab for a urine culture. Cultures typically take a couple of days and tell us:

• What type of bacteria is present
• How much of the bacteria is growing
• Which antibiotics are most effective

What Is the Guidance UTI Test?

In addition to traditional cultures, the Couri Center offers the Guidance UTI test. This advanced test uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to detect bacterial DNA rather than growing bacteria in Petri dishes.

Guidance UTI provides:

• A complete list of bacteria and organisms found in the urine
• The quantity of each strain detected
• Pooled Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing, which identifies which antibiotics will work best for all bacteria combined

This helps your provider create a more accurate and effective treatment plan—especially if you’ve had recurring UTIs or inconclusive results in the past.

While You Wait: How We Treat UTIs Immediately

Since both culture and PCR results take a few days, we typically start treatment the day you’re seen. Your provider will select an antibiotic based on:

• Your symptom severity
• Allergy history
• Previous test results
• Local antibiotic resistance trends

If test results indicate a different medication is better, your prescription will be adjusted accordingly.

When “Mixed Growth” Means You Need More Answers

Have you ever been told your culture result was “mixed growth,” and you’re still not feeling better? This could be due to specimen contamination or the presence of multiple bacteria. In these cases, the Guidance UTI test is a valuable next step to pinpoint the actual cause.

If you’ve been treated but still feel unwell, visit us again. We can retest using Guidance UTI to help get you back on track.

A Smarter, More Complete Way to Treat UTIs

I love having the Guidance UTI test as another tool for providing outstanding care to our patients. It’s especially helpful when symptoms persist or past treatments haven’t worked.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a UTI or need answers, we’re here to help—no appointment necessary. Visit our XXpressGYN Clinic Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, or call the Couri Center at 309-692-6838 to learn more.

By Mary Cabell, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Mary provides walk-in gynecological care through the XXpressGYN Care clinic at the Couri Center in Peoria, IL. She sees patients Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
Learn more about Mary Cabell, FNP-C

References

1. Gupta, K. (2024). Acute simple cystitis in adult and adolescent females. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-simple-cystitis-in-adult-females?search=acute%20simple%20cystitis%20in%20women&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1%7E150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
2. National Kidney Foundation. (2024, August 12). Top 10 Things to Know About Urinary Tract Infections.
3. Pathnostics. (2022, March 11). Guidance UTI.
4. Vollstedt, A., Baunoch, D., Wojno, K., Luke, N., & Cline, K. (2020). Multisite prospective comparison of multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing with urine culture for diagnosis of urinary tract infections in symptomatic patients. https://pathnostics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Multisite-Prospective-Comparison-of-Multiplex-Polymerase-Chain-Reaction-Testing-with-Urine-Culture-for-Diagnosis-of-Urinary-Tract-Infections-in-Symptomatic-Patients.pdf

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is current as of the date of publication or last review, but medical knowledge is constantly evolving, and the information may become outdated over time.