Can a pharmacist treat a UTI without a GP appointment?

Yes, if you are a woman aged 16 to 64 and not pregnant or breastfeeding. In England, most pharmacies can give the same medicines as a GP for a UTI under Pharmacy First, without an appointment — contact them first to check. Men, children, over-65s and pregnant women should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 instead.

Is it a UTI or a kidney infection?

A kidney infection is a more serious UTI, and you cannot always tell from peeing symptoms alone. Pain in your back just under the ribs, a high temperature or shivering, feeling sick, or blood in your pee all point towards it. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 — untreated, it can cause sepsis.

Does cranberry juice help a UTI?

Not once the infection has started. The NHS says there is no evidence that cranberry products or cystitis sachets ease symptoms or treat a UTI. There is some evidence that taking cranberry daily may help stop bladder infections coming back, but it can contain a lot of sugar, and you should avoid it if you take warfarin.

Should a man get pain when peeing checked?

Yes. UTIs are more common in women, but the NHS advises any man who thinks he has one to ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 — a pharmacist cannot treat it under Pharmacy First. Burning when peeing can also be chlamydia or gonorrhoea, which an NHS sexual health clinic tests for free.

Can I take ibuprofen for a UTI?

Paracetamol is the painkiller the NHS suggests for a UTI, up to 4 times a day for pain and a high temperature. If it could be a kidney infection — back pain under the ribs, a high temperature, feeling sick — do not take ibuprofen unless a doctor advises it, as it may increase the risk of further kidney problems.

All symptoms

Pain When Peeing

By the AllHealth UK editorial teamLast reviewed 26 August 2026Next review due 26 February 2027Compiled from published NHS and NICE guidance. Not reviewed by a clinician.

Key facts

Pain or burning when you pee is most often a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as cystitis. In England, women aged 16 to 64 who are not pregnant can get treatment from a pharmacist without a GP appointment. Men, children and anyone with a high temperature or back pain should get urgent advice.

Most often affects:Women — a shorter urethra lets bacteria reach the bladder more easilyPregnant womenPeople who have been through the menopausePeople with a urinary catheter

What commonly causes pain when peeing

A urinary tract infection (UTI), usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urethra — this includes cystitis (a bladder infection) and urethritis
A kidney infection — a more serious type of UTI that can cause sepsis if it is not treated
A sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea, which can cause a burning feeling when you pee — NHS sexual health clinics test for free
Things that make a UTI more likely: pregnancy, wiping back to front, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, a urinary catheter, poorly controlled diabetes or a weakened immune system, having been through the menopause, spermicide, and not drinking enough fluids

What helps at home

In England, if you are a woman aged 16 to 64 and not pregnant or breastfeeding, a pharmacist can treat a UTI with the same medicines a GP would, without an appointment — this is part of Pharmacy First
Take paracetamol, up to 4 times a day, to ease pain and bring down a high temperature
Rest, and drink enough fluids that you pass pale pee regularly through the day
Avoid drinks that can irritate your bladder, like fruit juice, coffee and alcohol
Do not take ibuprofen if it could be a kidney infection unless a doctor tells you to — it may increase the risk of further kidney problems
Cystitis sachets and cranberry products have no evidence of easing symptoms or treating a UTI once it has started

When to get help

These three levels are different. Getting the level right is the single most useful thing this page can do for you.

Non-urgent advice: see a GP if

Your symptoms have not gone after treatment — you may have a long-term (chronic) UTI, and you can ask to be referred to a specialist
You think it could be a sexually transmitted infection — a GP or an NHS sexual health clinic can test you, and sexual health clinics do it free and confidentially

Urgent advice: ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if

You are a man, or trans or non-binary and were assigned male at birth, and think you have a UTI
You are 65 or older, pregnant, have diabetes, use a catheter, or have a weakened immune system
The symptoms are in a child aged 15 or younger
You have a very high or very low temperature (below 36C), feel hot or cold, or are shivering
You have pain in your lower tummy or in your back, just under the ribs
You have blood in your pee — it may look bright pink, red or dark brown
Your symptoms get worse quickly, or do not improve within 48 hours of starting treatment or treating it yourself
You keep getting UTIs — 2 within 6 months, or 3 within 12 months
You have not had a pee all day

Immediate action required: call 999 or go to A&E if

You or your child are confused, drowsy, or have difficulty speaking

What to do next

Not sure whether pain when peeing needs a doctor? These are your options, cheapest and fastest first.

Questions people ask about pain when peeing

Reducing the chance of it coming back

Wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet
Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, so you pee regularly and do not feel thirsty
Pee as soon as possible after sex, and wash the skin around the vagina with water before and after
Do not hold your pee in when you feel the urge, and take your time so your bladder empties fully
Wear cotton underwear, not tight underwear, and do not use scented soap around the genitals
If you use spermicidal lube on condoms or a diaphragm, try a non-spermicidal lube or different contraception

Conditions this can be part of

Listed alphabetically, not by likelihood — this page does not tell you which one you have.

Chlamydia
Cystitis
Gonorrhoea
Kidney infection
Kidney stones
Urethritis

Sources and further reading

This page was written from the following published guidance. All links checked 26 August 2026.

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Related symptoms

Blood in Urine