What you should know about at-home urinary tract infection tests

UTIs are very common, and according to Jean Hailes for Women's Health, one in two women will get one in their lifetime.

Published: 16 July 2025
  • national
  • 16 July 2025
  • ABC News

You can even buy at-home tests to check if you have one, but how useful are they really?

UTIs can affect your bladder, urethra and kidneys, and if left untreated, can develop into a kidney infection.

According to Jean Hailes for Women's Health, common symptoms of a UTI include a burning sensation when you pee, lower belly and back pain, and the frequent feeling of needing to pee. They can even include confusion, nausea, vomiting, and a fever.

What are the benefits of testing for a UTI at home?

Pav Nanayakkara is a minimally invasive gynaecological surgeon at Jean Hailes for Women's Health in Naarm/Melbourne.

Pav Nanayakkara says UTI tests available at chemists and supermarket can help confirm someone should make an appointment.

Dr Nanayakkara says at-home tests could be useful for people who've had a UTI before and recognise the symptoms.

"They're a really good first port of call if you wanted to check — particularly if you're not able to get to a doctor straight away."

An at-home test can "give you that confirmation" if something doesn't quite feel right, and it may help facilitate an appointment, she says.