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From staying hydrated to taking cranberry supplements, there are a handful of home remedies to try if you’re looking to ward off UTIs.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common. A 2022 analysis found that more than 404.6 million people had UTIs worldwide in 2019.
UTIs happen when bacteria, usually from the skin or rectum, enter the urethra. You can get an infection along any part of the urinary tract, but bladder infections are the most common.
Though UTIs can affect anyone, people assigned female at birth are
The shorter distance makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. The proximity of the urethra to the vagina and rectum, which are sources of bacteria, also plays a role.
Other risk factors for UTIs include:
- history of UTIs
- sexual activity
- poor hygiene
- age, with children and older adults more prone to UTIs
- pregnancy
- changes to vaginal bacteria, which spermicides and menopause can cause
- structural problems in the urinary tract, such as an enlarged prostate
- having a catheter in place
- certain medical conditions, such as diabetes
Bacteria cause almost
Though antibiotics typically treat UTIs, there are several natural ways to help manage infections and reduce the risk of recurrence.
This article reviews six home remedies you can use to treat UTIs.
Dehydration is linked to an increased risk of UTIs.
This is because regular urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract to prevent infection. When you’re dehydrated, you aren’t urinating as often, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria.
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To stay hydrated and meet your fluid needs, it’s best to drink water throughout the day and always when you’re thirsty.
Benefits of drinking more fluids for UTI
Drinking plenty of liquids can decrease your risk of UTIs by making you pee more, which helps remove bacteria from your urinary tract.
Some evidence suggests that increasing your vitamin C intake could protect against UTIs.
Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of urine, killing off the bacteria that cause infection.
A small 2020 randomized placebo study involving 19 people who had undergone a kidney transplant found that the amount of bacteria in urine was significantly lower in people who received intravenous vitamin C group than the placebo group.
A 2016 study with 42 participants showed that combining vitamin C with two other popular natural UTI remedies — cranberries and the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus — could be an effective treatment for recurrent UTIs.
Despite these studies, more research is needed to prove vitamin C’s effectiveness in reducing UTI risk. Plus, there are conflicting views on whether vitamin C can really change the acidity of your urine enough to kill off bacteria.
If you need help getting enough vitamin C, you can try products like vitamin C gummies, sprays, or oral tablets.
However, it’s still recommended to eat foods rich in vitamin C. Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake. Red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwifruit all contain the full recommended daily amount of vitamin C in just one serving.
Finally, keep in mind that if you’re already meeting your vitamin C needs through diet alone, it’s unclear whether taking additional vitamin C through supplements is beneficial.
Nordic Naturals Vitamin C Gummies
One serving of these tangerine-flavored gummies by Nordic Naturals contains 250 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C to support daily immunity. This certified-vegan option is a simple way to supplement vitamin C from dietary sources.
Plus, all Nordic Naturals supplements are third-party tested to ensure purity and potency with certificates of analysis (COAs) easily accessible online.
Garden of Life Vitamin C Spray
This citrusy spray provides a liquid boost of vitamin C support. You can choose a Stevia-sweetened version or a tangier taste without any sweetener.
Five sprays on your tongue amount to one serving, which delivers 60 mg of vitamin C to your immune system. The spray bottle format means you can adjust the dosage to your needs.
Benefits of vitamin C for UTI
Increasing vitamin C intake may decrease your risk of UTIs by making your urine more acidic, thus killing infection-causing bacteria.
Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the most well-known natural remedies for UTIs. If drinking unsweetened cranberry juice isn’t your thing, you can also take it in capsule form.
Some experts believe cranberries have properties that might prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, which helps with UTI prevention.
In a study published in 2022, participants with a history of recurring uncomplicated UTIs reported a reduction in infections after taking a cranberry supplement for 6 months prior.
Additionally, a
However, researchers noted there were several limitations of the studies reviewed. They recommend larger, more high quality studies to confirm the potential role of cranberry supplements in preventing UTIs.
Also keep in mind that while some research supports the use of cranberry supplements in the prevention of UTIs, whether they actually work as a treatment for an active UTI is less cut and dry.
Finally, it’s worth noting any possible benefits of this home remedy only apply to unsweetened cranberry juice (or cranberry capsules), rather than sweetened juice varieties. Cranberry juice with added sugars won’t help treat an active UTI.
Spring Valley Cranberry Extract Capsule
Each serving of these capsules contains 500 mg of organic cranberry extract. Some reviewers who reported frequent UTIs say they’ve had success taking this supplement as a daily preventive measure.
Benefits of cranberries for UTI
Some studies suggest that cranberries could help reduce your risk of UTIs by preventing bacteria from adhering to your urinary tract.
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that are consumed through food or supplements. They can promote a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.
Probiotics are available in supplement form or can be found in fermented foods, such as kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and probiotic yogurt.
Consuming probiotics has been
Some
Antibiotics, the main line of defense against UTIs, can cause
Still, keep in mind that probiotics
Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan Probiotic
Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan is specifically formulated to support urinary tract health and includes cranberry extract and two targeted probiotic strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum.
Benefits of probiotics for UTI
Probiotics could help prevent UTIs and are beneficial for restoring gut bacteria after antibiotic treatment.
Preventing UTIs starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.
First, it’s important not to hold your urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection.
Peeing after sex has long been linked to a reduced risk of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria and is recommended by health authorities, including Planned Parenthood.
Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been
Finally, when using the toilet — especially if you have a female urethra — make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can cause bacteria to spread to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs.
One way to stop or prevent any bacteria from spreading amongst genitalia is by using Always Feminine Wipes.
Always Feminine Wipes
Easily resealable and compact enough to keep on your person, these wipes are lightly scented to ensure you feel fresh and clean throughout the day. These are good for convenient access throughout your day.
Benefits of healthy hygiene for UTI
Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Careful wiping when you use the toilet may also help decrease the risk of UTI.
Research shows garlic and garlic extract to have antimicrobial properties, so they may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs.
While not many studies have specialized in the effects of garlic in treating UTIs, one
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While cooking garlic alters its properties and may make its health benefits decrease, most people can safely consume raw garlic as part of a healthy diet. However, people with GERD, people who take blood thinners, and people who have an irritable digestive tract might want to avoid eating garlic in its uncooked form.
If you don’t like or can’t eat raw garlic but are interested in seeing if it could help ward off your next UTI, you might consider a garlic supplement.
Nature’s Bounty Garlic Extract
Nature’s Bounty’s 1,000-mg garlic extract formula is primarily designed to support heart and cardiovascular health. However, it may also have immune-boosting properties, which could contribute to preventing recurring UTIs. Some consider it a way of helping reduce bacterial growth in the body as a whole.
Benefits of garlic for UTI
Garlic hasn’t been strongly linked to treating or preventing UTIs, but it does have documented antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties.
Consuming raw garlic or taking garlic supplements could have the added benefit of targeting certain bacterial strains that may be causing your UTIs to keep coming back.
D-mannose is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries and other fruit. Similar to other home remedies on our list, it may be able to prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to your urinary tract.
Some
Research into how well D-mannose works to help people with recurrent UTIs is still early, but the results so far have been promising.
You can add D-mannose to your diet by upping your intake of blueberries, cranberries, apples, peaches, and oranges. Broccoli and green beans are an additional source of D-mannose.
You can also consider adding a D-mannose supplement to your regimen.
Perelel Urinary Tract Support Powder
- Price: $$
- What it’s good for: people with recurrent UTIs who are interested in trying a D-mannose-containing supplement
In addition to D-mannose, Perelel Urinary Tract Support Powder contains hibiscus powder and
According to the company, this powder is designed to be taken daily by stirring the contents into a glass of water.
You can read more about Perelel in our comprehensive review.
Here are some ways you can manage UTI symptoms that may also help prevent a recurrence:
- Stay well hydrated.
- Avoid or limit foods and drinks that can irritate the bladder, such as coffee, soft drinks, and citrus.
- Avoid holding in your pee for too long.
- Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to minimize bladder discomfort.
- Ask your doctor about prescription or OTC pain medication.
- Take all your antibiotics as prescribed by your healthcare professional.
It’s important to talk with a doctor if you have symptoms of a UTI. While natural remedies may help, a healthcare professional can diagnose a UTI and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Left untreated, UTIs risk severe complications, including spreading to your kidneys. Don’t ignore symptoms of a severe infection.
Get in touch with a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:
- a fever over 103°F (39.4°C)
- shaking
- chills
- nausea
- vomiting
- blood in your urine
Will a UTI go away on its own?
In about
How do you treat a UTI without going to the doctor?
If you keep yourself well-hydrated, your UTI infection
Certain UTIs, especially chronic and recurring ones, will need antibiotic treatment as opposed to simple home remedies. This means you will need to see a doctor for treatment.
If you’re prescribed antibiotics to treat a UTI, a healthcare professional may choose an antibiotic that’s specific to the type of bacteria that’s triggering your infection.
What relieves UTI fast?
Fast relief of a UTI might not be possible. OTC products like AZO contain active ingredients that have antibacterial properties. In the case of AZO, the active ingredient is a compound called methenamine. In combination with an anti-inflammatory compound, these products are meant to help your body kill harmful bacteria.
That said, for powerful bacterial infections, the active ingredients in OTC products just might not be enough. Also, most of these products are advertised as a protection against UTIs, not necessarily a treatment for current, active infections. For proper treatment, you would need to see a doctor to get the right medication.
How can I make a UTI go away faster at home?
Sometimes, you can get rid of a UTI naturally by resting, drinking lots of water, taking dietary supplements, and giving the infection some time to heal. UTIs can sometimes resolve naturally without the use of antibiotics.
However, there are certain situations where “wait and see” just isn’t an acceptable approach. Untreated UTIs can cause potentially life-threatening complications, including sepsis.
What are signs that your UTI is healing?
UTIs typically clear up within
If you don’t notice any improvement within this time frame or your symptoms are getting worse, talk with your doctor.
UTIs are a common and frustrating problem, particularly if they keep recurring.
Home remedies and OTC products can help prevent UTIs, but they can’t always completely eliminate the bacteria causing your infection. If you’re trying home remedies but still have symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional to avoid any complications.
Staying hydrated, practicing health-promoting habits, and supplementing your diet with some UTI-fighting ingredients are good ways to lower your risk of these infections in the future.
Read this article in Spanish.