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Think you have a UTI? Time to find out.

If you’ve ever had a UTI before, you’ll know they’re a painful and uncomfortable experience. Sometimes, getting an appointment at your GP to run tests and be prescribed antibiotics can take absolutely ages. During this time, you’re left waiting around in constant discomfort. Not good. So, what can you do? With our UTI self-test kit, you can get results straight away and even order a prescription to get treated through the app. Dodge those long wait times at the GP surgery and get an accurate result in the comfort of your own home.

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Taking the test is dead simple

Fortunately, there is very little faff involved with taking the test. The accompanying app has super-clear instructions to walk you through the entire process so that you’re never left wondering what to do. There are seven easy-to-follow steps to get you from test to treatment:

Purchase the test kit.
Download the TestCard app to your phone.
Scan the strip’s QR code.
Collect urine, dip the strip into the urine and wait for the timer.
Scan the strip using the TestCard app.
Get instant ‘Positive’ and ‘Negative’ results on your phone.
Access expert advice or treatment if required.

Our self-testing kit is a really convenient alternative to heading off to your local GP. Instead of catching the bus into town and sitting in a stuffy waiting room for hours, you can use the self-test kit at a time and place that suits you. All you need is somewhere suitably lit so that your phone camera can pick up the test strip effectively.

Is it secure? Yep. It’s all totally private, so nobody else is going to know if you have a UTI or not unless you tell them.

Who can take the test?

Anyone! Some people think that only women can get UTIs, but men are susceptible too. Despite this, women are in fact 30 times more likely to experience a UTI than men. All you need is access to a toilet and the TestCard app on your smartphone. It’s definitely worth bearing in mind that you’ll need a fully functioning iOS11+ or Android 6+ smartphone in order to use the app. For the full list of supported devices, you can find them all here.

Shop Vivactive UTI Self-Test Kit

What to do if you receive a positive UTI test result

First of all, don’t panic. UTIs are really common, it’s estimated that 50% of women will experience a UTI at some point in their life. If you receive a positive test result in the app, don’t worry, we’re here to help. One of the best parts of the self-test kit is its ability to connect you to a health professional with the ability to prescribe you suitable treatment. Then, you can either collect it from a pharmacy or have it delivered directly to your door. Whichever suits you best.

What causes a UTI?

UTIs are usually caused by bacteria entering your urinary tract. The bacteria enters through your urethra and travels up to your bladder where it causes an infection. These infections can come with intense pain, sometimes even spreading to other areas of your body such as your kidneys. For women, their urethra is shorter than men's, making it easier for bacteria to make their way to the bladder. This is why it’s super important to get them identified and resolved as soon as you can. Whilst they’re easily treatable, if left alone, you could end up with a stay in the hospital.

It’s really important to stay hydrated. A lot of people, especially with incontinence, may think drinking less fluid will help them. This isn’t the case, in fact, it’s thought that dehydration is one of the leading causes of UTIs. Drinking water is essential for keeping the body healthy. The British Nutrition Foundation recommends drinking six to eight glasses daily. For more information on how much water you should drink if you’re incontinent, take a look at our blog post.

There are a few things to watch out for that can increase the risk of bacteria getting into your bladder:

Having sex
Being pregnant
Conditions such as kidney stones that may block your urinary tract
Conditions that make it difficult to fully empty your bladder – such as an  enlarged prostate in men
Catheters
Having a weakened immune system – for example, people with diabetes or people having chemotherapy
Not drinking enough fluids
Not keeping the genital area clean and dry

By understanding what causes a UTI, you can start to take steps toward preventing them. Drawing from the NHS website, they outline some really helpful do’s and don’ts:

Do:

Wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet
Keep the genital area clean and dry
Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water – so that you regularly pee during the day and do not feel thirsty
Wash the skin around the vagina with water before and after sex
Pee as soon as possible after sex
Promptly change nappies or incontinence pads if they're soiled

Don’t:

Do not use scented soap
Do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go
Do not rush when going for a pee – try to fully empty your bladder
Do not wear tight synthetic underwear, such as nylon.
Do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks, as they may irritate your bladder
Do not have lots of sugary food or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to grow
Do not use condoms or a diaphragm or cap with spermicidal lube on them – try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception

Symptoms of a UTI?

The symptoms of a urinary tract infection aren’t always obvious. So, if you’re experiencing any of the below, you may want to grab yourself a UTI test kit just to be sure.

Symptoms include: