Try These 8 Home Remedies to Relieve UTI Symptoms Naturally
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If you’re asking yourself “why does it hurt when I pee,” a urinary tract infection (UTI) may be to blame. After all, a UTI is one of the most common bladder infections to catch, especially for women. Luckily, there is an abundance of home remedies for UTI troubles to try if you are experiencing bothersome UTI symptoms like painful urination, cloudy urine, or smelly urine.
But, before you try to resolve a UTI with a natural remedy—infections don’t clear up on their own. “A true UTI needs antibiotics to clear the bacteria responsible for the symptoms and infection,” Sherry A. Ross, M.D., a women’s health expert and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period, explains. If left untreated, per the Mayo Clinic, the infection can travel to the kidneys—so call your doctor if you’re experiencing UTI symptoms.
We’ve gathered some home remedies you can try to help relieve your discomfort until the antibiotics do their job.
What is a UTI?
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria getting into the urinary tract and causing inflammation and pain. “The female anatomy is a setup for infections of the bladders,” explains Dr. Ross. She says that because women have a shorter urethra, which is essentially the tube that leads urine from the bladder out of the body, bacteria can enter much more easily than it can through male anatomy.
In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, women are 30 times more likely to get a UTI than men and more than half of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime. But as much as knowing you’re not in the minority may be reassuring, it doesn’t take away from the stinging, burning, and needing to rush to the bathroom every 10 minutes feeling you get when you have an infection.
Luckily, we gathered the best natural home remedies for getting rid of a UTI, easing uncomfortable symptoms, and preventing a UTI altogether. Find relief, quick.
Home remedies for UTI relief
While a UTI will not clear on its own, the following natural remedies can help speed up recovery and ease your symptoms.
Avoid foods and beverages that will irritate your bladder
Drinking coffee and alcohol, and eating spicy food or foods with lots of added sugar will irritate the urinary tract. They can decrease the blood flow to the bladder, which will make it harder for your immune system to fight off the infection.
Drink lots of water
According to Chicago-based OB/GYN, Jessica Shepherd, M.D., drinking lots of water when you are experiencing UTI symptoms can help flush away the bacteria. The more water you drink, the more you’ll have to relieve yourself—another key step in getting rid of a UTI.
Empty your bladder often
Urinating may not be the most pleasant sensation when you’re suffering from a UTI, but it’s absolutely necessary to use the bathroom whenever you feel the urge to go. “Draining your bladder frequently is essential to [get] rid of the bacteria,” Dr. Shepherd explains.
Use a heating pad
Dr. Shepherd and Dr. Ross both recommend applying heat to your abdomen for relief from UTI cramps or the burning sensation. “A heating pad or hot water bottle over your lower abdomen can help ease some of the discomfort from a UTI,” Dr. Ross says. If you’re using an electric heating pad, be careful not to fall asleep with it on or leave it on your skin for long periods of time. This can be dangerous and either burn your skin or worse, cause a fire.
Be weary of herbal remedies—but they may help
Recent studies have shown that uva ursi plant extract, also known as bearberry, may help combat UTIs through the plant’s antimicrobial properties. However, there can be side effects, and uva ursi can be harmful if not taken properly, so be sure to consult your doctor before trying the supplement.
Steer clear of vitamin C
Vitamin C is known to help prevent UTIs by acidifying the urine, which can kill certain bacteria present in the urinary tract. But Dr. Ross warns if you already have a UTI or are experiencing real symptoms of one, vitamin C will not be effective in killing off bacteria. This is because unless you know the exact bacteria causing the UTI, vitamin C—although helpful—may not be doing enough to kill the infection you’re experiencing.
Avoid feminine hygiene products with scents and chemicals
“Using feminine products that have perfumes and other irritating chemicals can introduce disruptive bacteria into your body” which can inhibit UTI treatment, Dr. Ross says. Additionally, Dr. Ross stresses that if you’re prone to UTIs, any products that will allow unwanted bacteria to enter your body should be avoided. “Avoid diaphragms, vaginal sponges, diva cups, and sex toys if you’re prone to UTIs,” she advises.
Wear loose-fitting clothing
Make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing to help keep the area around the urethra dry while you treat a UTI. Tight-fitting pants and underwear can trap moisture, allowing bacteria to grow, according to the National Institute on Aging.
How to prevent a UTI
Sick of dealing with urinary tract infections? Really, the best “natural remedy” is simple: just prevent one from striking in the first place! Here’s how:
Drink cranberry juice
Although it has often been thought of as a treatment option, cranberry juice can only help as a preventative measure. “Cranberry juice can be helpful in preventing UTIs by making the urine more acidic and preventing harmful bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder,” Dr. Ross explains. “An acidic environment in the urine makes bacterial build-up more difficult and reduces your chance of getting a UTI. But even with this information, studies have conflicting evidence about cranberries being a reliable source for prevention.” So if you’re prone to UTIs, it won’t hurt to drink unsweetened cranberry juice. But it’s definitely not the UTI cure-all it has always been thought to be.
Practice good hygiene after sex and ask your partner to, too
“Overall health with increased water intake and exercise is the best way to improve health and help with decreasing UTIs,” Dr. Shepherd shares. This includes good hygiene and being diligent about cleaning all of your lady parts. And make sure your partner does, too. “Bacteria from sexual intercourse is one of the most common ways women can get a UTI,” Dr. Shepherd explains.
Limit antibiotic use
Although it can’t always be avoided, frequent antibiotic use can actually cause more harm than good and lead to UTIs. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea, which can allow unwanted bacteria to enter the urethra. When fighting off illness, antibiotics can wipe out good as well as bad bacteria, which can leave you more prone to infection. Dr. Ross recommends taking a daily probiotic to help repopulate the good bacteria in your body, but more research is needed to test its effectiveness in treating UTIs.
Wipe front to back
“Always remember to wipe ‘front to back’ to avoid bringing unwanted bacteria from the anus to the vaginal area,” Dr. Ross says. A rule as simple as this make all the difference between frequent UTIs and not getting any.
Stay hydrated
“Drinking a lot of water will help keep unwanted bacteria moving out of your body,” Dr. Ross says. “And, don’t hold in your urine for long periods of time—a general rule of thumb is to urinate every two to three hours or when you first feel the urge.”
When to see your doctor
While there are many home remedies for treating UTI and relieving symptoms, there are instances where you may need to visit your doctor and it’s likely you’ll need antibiotics. If your symptoms are persisting beyond a few days, or you experience recurring UTI’s, it’s time to make an appointment with a professional to keep your condition from worsening.
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