You've heard the deal...now get the real deal as Safety Girls dishes it out straight. Read on for the inside look at one of America's worst sexual health problems!

It's incorrigible; you run to the bathroom fearing that you are going to let it go right then and there. Finally, you are in your own private stall and you can relieve yourself. As you do, you feel a burning sensation and the huge load you thought would ruin your favorite linen pants and cause embarrassment all day long, turns out to be a few little droplets. What's going on?

Don't worry too much. In fact, what you probably have is a standard urinary tract infection (UTI). This type of infection is so common that only respiratory infections like the "common cold" occur more frequently. In fact, UTIs account for ten million visits to the doctor each year. UTIs are not serious health concern when treated quickly and properly.

One thing for sure, women get UTIs far more often than men do. Most everyone knows that infection is caused by some microorganisms that have found their way into somewhere they are not normally found. In the case of UTIs, bacteria cling to the opening of the urethra, multiply like rabbits and travel upward to the bladder and sometimes, the kidneys. Because our urethras are significantly shorter than a male's, the bacteria have a greater chance of making it up to your bladder.

Urethritis (infection of the urethra), cystitis (infection of the bladder) and much more serious but less common pyelonephritis (infection of the kidneys) are the three different types of UTI.

The common symptoms for all three infections include pain and/or burning feeling when urinating, frequent and urgent need to urinate when only little bit comes out, a white or greenish-yellow discharge from, or itching in your penis or vagina. The more serious ailment, pyelonephritis, is accompanied by fever, chills, back pain, nausea, pus or blood in urine and vomiting. If you have these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

For women 20-40 years old, sexual activity is the most common way to develop a UTI. Ever notice the onset of a urinary tract infection when acquiring a new sexual partner? This happens because your body has been introduced to new microorganisms; eventually your body will adjust to the new ones with time. But this infection is not biased to new lovers, any one who has sex is at risk. In fact, the STDs trichomoniasis and chlamydia can cause a UTI.

Stress, a poor diet, low resistance to infection, damage to the urethra from child birth, catheterization or surgery can make you more prone to infection. Once you get to the doctor, she will diagnose your condition through a urinalysis and prescribe the correct antibiotic.

• Do not let it get to a painful stage and take these tips to avoid re-infection.
• Practice safe sex (use condoms!!!
• Drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily helps to flush out the bacteria in the urinary system
• Always urinate after sex
• Drink cranberry juice or take vitamin C. These may inhibit growth of bacteria by making the urine more acidic.
• Wear cotton underwear. This helps moisture to escape so as not to create breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Avoid foods that irritate the bladder, such as coffee, alcohol and spicy foods.
• And always practice good personal hygiene. Be sure that your partner is keeping clean as well. Remember, urinary tract infections are relatively benign and can be treated. It is best to recognize the problem early on so you don't put yourself under more stress.