8 natural home remedies for UTIs

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is when bacteria from outside the body gets into the urinary tract, affecting the kidneys, bladder, or the urethra. Although anyone can get a urinary tract infection, they are most common in women and often cause painful urination and other symptoms. The traditional and least complicated UTI treatment is antibiotics, according to Tami Prince, MD, an OB/GYN.. There are, however, strategies for protecting against, preventing and reducing the risk of UTI reoccurrence with the following home remedies for UTIs.

This is one of the most important home remedies for UTI prevention. After sex, urinate immediately to flush any bacteria that might enter the urethra and wipe front to back. Peeing when you feel the need, even if you aren’t having sex, is essential for UTI prevention, too, adds Sherry Ross, MD, an OB/GYN and women’s health expert. “A general rule of thumb is to urinate every two to three hours or when you first feel the urge,” says Dr Ross, also the author of She-ology. Holding in urine for long periods of time will lead to bacteria buildup – exactly what you want to avoid. Also, always remember to wipe front to back since doing the opposite could transfer bacteria and increase your risk of a UTI, Dr Ross says. Ironically, having to pee often is one of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection.

It’s also likely to be one of the surprising reasons your partner doesn’t want sex. 

The chemicals in bath salts and gels can irritate the urethra and make it prone to infections. Also avoid harsh chemicals or perfumes found in feminine sprays; scented toilet paper; and feminine products, douches and deodorants. These can disrupt the normal pH balance in the vagina and increase your risk for harmful bacteria, according to Dr Ross.

Drinking water can help flush out bacteria, so it’s important to stay hydrated with a UTI, according to Dr Ross. Hydration also helps flush the kidneys and bladder, too. There are lots of different opinions about how much water people should drink each day. The traditional rule of thumb is to aim for eight glasses of water per day, but you might need more or less. This even helps if you are prone to recurrent UTIs, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine. Women who drank an additional 1.5 litres of water a day experienced 50 percent fewer UTIs than women who did not consume extra water in this year-long study.

It also doesn’t hurt that drinking more water is one of the 48 simple ways you can improve your sex life.

Cranberry juice recipes are one of the most popular home remedies for UTI prevention. Dr Ross says it can’t hurt to drink cranberry juice or take cranberry tablets to help prevent UTIs, but the research is inconclusive on whether it truly helps. Research in the Journal of Nutrition shows that it can reduce the risk of a UTI by as much as 26 percent. This is likely thanks to the active ingredient in cranberries that can prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls, Dr Prince says. However, there’s usually not enough of this ingredient in cranberry juices or pills to make a significant difference. Dr Prince notes that a few studies show that these remedies might be most beneficial in women who have recurrent UTIs – not just the occasional infection. Plus, she can personally vouch for their effectiveness. Dr Prince hasn’t had an infection since her three prior back-to-back infections since using cranberry juice pills.

Drinking a lot of vitamin C or taking vitamin C supplements is another way to prevent bacteria overgrowth since doing so keeps the urine acidic, Dr Ross says. Still, it’s important not to get too much vitamin C, Dr Prince warns. Talk with your doctor to determine the right amount for you. You can get vitamin C through your diet too.

Here are 10 ways to get vitamins and minerals to work better for you. 

The cleaner you and your partner are the better. Dr Ross recommends avoiding excessive saliva, spermicides and lubricants. Make sure that anything having any contact with the genital area during sex is clean.

And don’t miss these 25 little sex mistakes you didn’t know you were making.

A warm, damp environment is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Always change out of wet swimsuits or sweaty workout clothes as soon as possible. If you have frequent UTIs, stick to loose-fitting, cotton underwear; they’re more breathable than other materials and allow less sweat and bacteria to build up, Dr Ross says. Removing wet clothes also helps to decrease the risk of vaginitis and yeast and bacterial infections, too, Dr Prince says.

Women who are prone to UTIs should avoid using a diaphragm, vaginal sponge, menstrual cup or sex toys. “These foreign bodies can disrupt the normal pH balance in the vagina and attract unwanted bacteria,” Dr Ross says.

Sometimes home remedies don’t cut it, adds Stephanie J. Kielb, MD, an associate professor of Urology, Medical Education and Obstetrics and Gynecology. “If you get recurrent UTIs, see your doctor to find out what is causing them.” Make sure your urine is cultured and tested to find the exact bacterial culprit. Antibiotics may be necessary, but for women who are postmenopausal, vaginal oestrogen can lower risk for recurrent UTIs. “Bacteria changes as oestrogen levels go down after menopause, and supplemental vaginal oestrogen can help restore this balance and lower risk for UTI.

Don’t miss these surprising postmenopausal health risks you can’t ignore. 

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Source: RD.com