Pain while peeing, the urgent need to “go,” frequent urination… the telltale signs of urinary tract infections (UTIs)—caused by bacteria entering the bladder, kidneys or urethra—are all -too -familiar to most of us. In fact, 50 to 60 percent of women will develop a bladder infection, the most common type of UTI, in their lifetime. The biggest culprit? Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria, which account for 90 percent of infections. And while the only cure is a course of antibiotics, there are simple home remedies for a UTI shown to ease symptoms and speed recovery. Here’s what helps.
Home remedies for a UTI
Urologists share the most effective ways to soothe pain and discomfort with UTI home remedies.
Start with two over-the-counter pills
Your first line of defense against UTI pain is likely already in your medicine cabinet. “Take one Tylenol or, at most, two extra strength Tylenol, for the pain,” advises retired urologist Martha B. Boone, MD, author of The Unfettered Urologist: What I Never Had Time to Tell You in a Fifteen Minute Office Visit. “Then take one Pyridium, an analgesic that decreases discomfort by numbing the bladder and calming spasms.” One option: AZO Urinary Pain Relief in drugstores.
Dr. Boone explains that if you have a mild UTI, this medicinal one-two-punch may be enough to alleviate symptoms long enough for your immune system to kick in and kill the infection. If your condition worsens after six to eight hours, however, she advises getting your urine tested by a medical professional for an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
What is your most bothersome UTI symptom?
Drink plenty of water
“One thing I always recommend is making sure you stay super-duper hydrated,” says urologist Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD. He suggests drinking 80 to 100 oz. of water a day to flush the bacteria out of your bladder. Proof that water works: A 2018 study in JAMA showed that women who upped their intake of H2O by 1.5 liters per day relieved UTI symptoms significantly.
This “water therapy” can even prevent your UTI from spreading. “Bacteria from the bladder sometimes migrates into the kidneys—in fact, most kidney infections start in the bladder,” explains Dr. Brahmbhatt. “But keeping your urine diluted by drinking plenty of water decreases the likelihood of this happening.”
Sip a baking soda brew
When UTI symptoms first appear, pour 1 tsp.one teaspoon of baking soda into 10 oz.ounces of warm water and si, advises Dr. Boone. “This is a one-time dose that alkalizes your urine, neutralizing the acidic qualities that cause pain, so you should see improvement.” She emphasizes the importance of drinking this once only and consulting your doctor first, especially if you’re on a low-sodium diet.
Fill your hot water bottle
Simply placing a heating pad (on low) or a hot water bottle filled with warm water on your belly may soothe the pain of a UTI, says Dr. Brahambhett. “I have patients who do this to reduce bladder irritation, and there is some science to support the use of heat therapy.” That’s in large part because heat promotes blood flow, decreasing painful inflammation.
Easy ways to prevent UTIs
While home remedies can ease UTI symptoms if you already have a flare-up, consider a few proven ways to ward off the infection in the first place.
Ask about ‘preventive’ antibiotics
“For patients who had recurrent UTIs, I would provide them with a three-day supply of low-dose antibiotics to keep with them at all times [to take at the first sign of symptoms], so they didn’t have to wait to come into the office for a prescription,” says Dr. Boone. Equal parts prevention and treatment, this strategy helps keep an incipient infection from becoming a full-blown UTI.
After all, speed is of the essence when it comes to battling bacteria. “The more time [they] have to divide, the greater the volume of toxins in your system,” she says. “That’s why taking antibiotics as soon as possible after symptoms arise shortens the duration of the infection.”
At the risk of repeating ourselves, this strategy only applies if you have recurrent UTIs—defined as two infections over six months or three within the last year, according to a 2019 study in Journal of Molecular Biology. “That’s because if this is the first time symptoms are showing up, you may mistake something more serious, like a kidney stone, for a UTI,” explains Dr. Boone.
Apply vaginal estrogen cream
When we hit perimenopause and menopause, our risk of UTIs increases, as estrogen levels that protect the lining of the bladder begin to decline, per a 2019 study in Climacteric. That’s why Dr. Boone highly recommends applying a small amount of topical vaginal estrogen cream to your genital area about three days a week.
She insists estrogen cream is perfectly safe, but due to the controversy swirling around hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) for years—health concerns that have largely been debunked by new studies—a lot of doctors are afraid to even tell their patients about this option. “But every female gynecologist is using the cream; I can promise you that,” she says.
Take the right cranberry supplement
Cranberry juice wards off UTIs by making the bladder lining “slippery” and preventing bacteria from latching onto it. Trouble is, you’d have to drink a ton of the stuff to reap the benefits, says Dr. Brahmbhatt. Plus, even unsweetened cranberry juice comes with a hidden health pitfall, adds Dr. Boone. “There are 31 grams of carbohydrates in one cup of unsweetened cranberry juice—the average person would gain one pound per month if they drank enough to prevent a UTI.”
She suggests taking a cranberry supplement instead. Just make sure it’s the right one. “To be effective, it must contain 36 mg of proanthocyanidins (PACs) [compounds found in cranberries] which coat the bladder,” she reveals. Indeed, a 2022 study in Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine proved this dosage helps prevent UTIs. Dr. Boone’s favorite cranberry supplement (for both its efficacy and low cost relative to other brands): TheraCran by TheraLogix.
Wipe from front to back
You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: wiping from back to front after a bowel movement helps prevent fecal bacteria from entering the vagina and making its way into the bladder. Also avoid peppering “down there” with any kind of powder. “[It] can begin to cake and gather bacteria, leading to a UTI,” explains Dr. Brahmbhatt.
Consider taking d-Mannose
The glucose-like sugar found in many plants and berries (including cranberries) has been shown to significantly slash the number of recurrent UTIs, according to a 2013 study in the World Journal of Urology. To reap the benefits, do as study participants did: dissolve two grams of d-Mannose powder in water and drink it every day for six months.
The only caveat? “d-Mannose may cause kidney issues in some people, so just make sure your kidney function is healthy by checking with your doctor before taking it,” cautions Dr. Brahmbhatt.
Soak up some sunshine
“It’s very important to get enough vitamin D,” says Dr. Brahmbhatt. Not only does it bolster the immune system, but, according to a 2020 study in Cell and Tissue Research, it also strengthens the epithelial barrier in the bladder, helping keep UTIs at bay. Dr. Brahmbhatt advises taking a stroll outdoors a few minutes each day to prod the production of the “sunshine vitamin.”
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
