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Help for women who experience one or recurrent bladder infections

	Bladder infections are uncomfortable and can sometimes lead to more serious infections in your kidneys. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for bladder infections that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out how taking antibiotics or drinking cranberry juice rates for treating bladder infections.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating bladder infections in women. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points for women with bladder infections

• If you get a burning pain when you pass urine, you might have a bladder infection.
• A bladder infection happens when germs (bacteria) grow in your bladder.
• The infection causes inflammation and irritation.
• Women are more likely than men to get bladder infections.
• Some women get bladder infections again and again. Doctors call these recurrent bladder infections.
• Bladder infections are often treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

A bladder infection can clear up by itself in about three days without any treatment. But if it doesn't clear up, taking antibiotics for a few days will probably work. If you keep getting infections, you might need further treatment. Your doctor or nurse can do a simple test on a sample of your urine to check whether you have a bladder infection. Your urine might need further testing if your doctor wants to know what sort of bacteria is causing your infection.

Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for bladder infections is right for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.