A urinary tract infection (UTI) affects more than just your urinary tract; it takes its toll on your whole body. From lower belly pain to back aches to chills, UTIs are quite the pain. UTIs are most often caused by bacteria, but they can also be brought on by fungi or viruses. Normally, your body gets rid of these germs before they cause problems. But if the germs win, you can get a painful UTI.

If you’ve had one before, you understand the struggle. The intense urge to pee, needing to pee often, peeing very little, and a burning sensation during urination. Completing an at-home UTI test can seem like a convenient approach. I mean, seriously, if you’re chained to a toilet, in pain, the last thing you want to do is leave home to get a test elsewhere.

At-Home UTI Dipstick Tests

Checkable's new at-home UTI test kits work just like the ones in the doctor's office. They test for nitrites and leukocytes, which indicate an infection. You can buy a dipstick test without a prescription. The dipstick test kit contains specially treated plastic strips called dipsticks. You hold them in your urine stream or dip the min a sample of your urine, just as you would a pregnancy test. The strips test for a substance (called nitrite) produced by most UTIs. Certain types of strips also test for white blood cells (leukocytes). Some types of dipsticks can test for both nitrite and leukocytes. But most types test for only one or the other. An area on the end of the strip changes color if you have an infection.

According to Mayo Clinic here is what a dipstick tests for:

• Acidity(pH). The pH level indicates the amount of acid in urine. The pH level might indicate a kidney or urinary tract disorder.
• Concentration. A measure of concentration shows how concentrated the particles are in your urine. A higher-than-normal concentration often is a result of not drinking enough fluids.
• Protein. Low levels of protein in urine are typical. Small increases in protein in the urine usually aren't a cause for concern, but larger amounts might indicate a kidney problem.
• Sugar. The amount of sugar(glucose) in urine is typically too low to be detected. Any detection of sugar on this test usually calls for follow-up testing for diabetes.
• Ketones. As with sugar, any amount of ketones detected in your urine could be a sign of diabetes and requires follow-up testing.
• Bilirubin. Bilirubin is a product of red blood cell breakdown. Usually, bilirubin is carried in the blood and passes into your liver, where it's removed and becomes part of bile. Bilirubin in your urine might indicate liver damage or disease.
• Evidence of infection. Either nitrites or leukocyte esterase — a product of white blood cells — in your urine might indicate a urinary tract infection.
• Blood. Blood in your urine requires additional testing. It may be a sign of kidney damage, infection, kidney or bladder stones, kidney or bladder cancer, or blood disorders.

If you use a home test kit, make sure that your doctor knows about any abnormal test results. This will help make sure that a serious problem is not missed.

You can prevent UTIs from occurring!

• Drink more water: Urinating frequently allows bacteria to be flushed before an infection can even begin
• Wipe from front to back
• Empty your bladder after intercourse (sorry, this may ruin the mood, but you’ll thank yourself later)
• Avoid potentially irritating feminine products 
• Take a look at your birth control: Diaphragms, unlubricated condoms, or spermicide-treated condoms can all lead to bacterial growth (again, sorry to be a party pooper)

Another way to prevent a UTI is by taking a UTI support supplement like Checkable's Urinary Tract Balance with D-Mannose UTI Supplement. Created to help cleanse the urinary tract and maintain the health of the bladder lining, our UTI supplements can help prevent and reduce symptoms with other effective ingredients like cranberry, hibiscus, and dandelion herb.