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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be quite painful, with unpleasant symptoms like a burning sensation when you urinate and pressure in your abdomen. Luckily, there are some things you can do to relieve the symptoms of a UTI. Doctor-recommended UTI symptom remedies include things like drinking lots of water and wearing loose-fitting clothing.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s important to understand that managing the symptoms isn\u2019t the same as actually getting rid of the infection. \u201cA true UTI needs antibiotics to clear the bacteria responsible for the symptoms and infection,\u201d Sherry A. Ross, M.D.<\/a>, a women\u2019s health expert and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women\u2019s Intimate Health. Period<\/a>, explains.<\/p>\n Meet the experts: Sherry A. Ross, M.D.<\/a>, a women\u2019s health expert and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women\u2019s Intimate Health. Period<\/a>; David Kaufman, M.D.,<\/a> urologist and director of Central Park Urology; Jessica Shepherd, M.D.<\/a>, an ob\/gyn in Texas; Sherrill Brown<\/a>, M.D, a senior medical director with AltaMed Health Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n While serious complications are rare in otherwise healthy people, you don\u2019t necessarily want to ignore a UTI and hope it just goes away, according to Sherrill Brown<\/a>, M.D, a senior medical director with AltaMed Health Services.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt can spread to the kidneys (called pyelonephritis) or, in rare cases, to the bloodstream. These infections are more serious, require longer courses of antibiotics, and sometimes require hospitalization,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s everything to know about UTIs, including how to manage the symptoms at home and how to prevent these painful infections from occurring in the first place.<\/p>\n Additional expert contribution by Courtenay Moore, M.D.,<\/a> a urologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Priya Padmanabhan, M.D.<\/a>, a urologist at Corewell Health. <\/p>\n What is a UTI?<\/p>\n Most UTIs are caused by bacteria getting into the urinary tract and causing inflammation and pain. \u201cThe female anatomy is a setup for infections of the bladders,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<\/a>, 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\u2019re not in the minority may be reassuring, it doesn\u2019t take away from the stinging, burning, and needing to rush to the bathroom every 10 minutes feeling you get when you have an infection.<\/p>\n Common UTI symptoms<\/p>\n You might have some or all of these symptoms with a UTI, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<\/a>:<\/p>\n Pain or burning when you peeFeeling like you need to pee a lotPressure in your lower abdomenUrine that\u2019s smelly or looks milkyBlood in your peeFeeling tired, shaky, confused, or weakFeverHome remedies for UTI relief<\/p>\n While a UTI will not clear on its own, the following natural remedies can help speed up recovery and ease your symptoms.<\/p>\n Avoid foods and beverages that will irritate your bladder<\/p>\n 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<\/a> to fight off the infection.<\/p>\n Drink lots of water <\/p>\n According to Jessica Shepherd, M.D.<\/a>, an ob\/gyn in Texas, drinking lots of water when you are experiencing UTI symptoms can help flush away the bacteria. The more water you drink, the more you\u2019ll have to relieve yourself\u2014another key step in getting rid of a UTI.<\/p>\n Empty your bladder often<\/p>\n Urinating may not be the most pleasant sensation when you\u2019re suffering from a UTI, but it\u2019s absolutely necessary to use the bathroom whenever you feel the urge to go. \u201cDraining your bladder frequently is essential to [get] rid of the bacteria,\u201d Dr. Shepherd explains.<\/p>\n Use a heating pad<\/p>\n Dr. Shepherd and Dr. Ross both recommend applying heat to your abdomen for relief from UTI cramps or the burning sensation. \u201cA heating pad<\/a> or hot water bottle over your lower abdomen can help ease some of the discomfort from a UTI,\u201d Dr. Ross says. If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n Be wary of herbal remedies\u2014but they may help<\/p>\n Recent studies<\/a> have shown that uva ursi plant extract, also known as bearberry, may help combat UTIs through the plant\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Steer clear of vitamin C <\/p>\n Vitamin C<\/a> 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\u2014although helpful\u2014may not be doing enough to kill the infection you\u2019re experiencing.<\/p>\n Avoid feminine hygiene products with scents and chemicals<\/p>\n \u201cUsing feminine products that have perfumes and other irritating chemicals can introduce disruptive bacteria into your body\u201d which can inhibit UTI treatment, Dr. Ross says. Additionally, Dr. Ross stresses that if you\u2019re prone to UTIs, any products that will allow unwanted bacteria to enter your body should be avoided. \u201cAvoid diaphragms, vaginal sponges, diva cups, and sex toys if you\u2019re prone to UTIs,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n Wear loose-fitting clothing<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n How to prevent a UTI<\/p>\n Sick of dealing with urinary tract infections? Really, the best \u201cnatural remedy\u201d is simple: just prevent one from striking in the first place! Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n Drink cranberry juice<\/p>\n Although it has often been thought of as a treatment option, cranberry juice can only help as a preventative measure. \u201cCranberry 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,\u201d Dr. Ross explains. \u201cAn 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.\u201d So if you\u2019re prone to UTIs, it won\u2019t hurt to drink unsweetened cranberry juice. But it\u2019s definitely not the UTI cure-all it has always been thought to be.<\/p>\n Pee after sex<\/p>\n \u201cThe primary cause of urinary tract infections in women is sex,\u201d says David Kaufman, M.D.,<\/a> urologist and director of Central Park Urology. \u201cBacteria is simply transferred from the vaginal vault to the urethra as a result of movements during the physical act of intercourse.\u201d That\u2019s why he recommends peeing after sex \u201clike you are putting out a brush fire.\u201d Meaning, you want a strong stream to try to push out any bacteria that may have worked its way back up there. \u201cWe need that urine volume to wash out the bacteria afterwards,\u201d Dr. Kaufman says. (By the way, Dr. Kaufman says that may mean that you\u2019ll need to drink a bunch of water right before or after sex to make this possible.)<\/p>\n Practice good hygiene after sex and ask your partner to, too<\/p>\n \u201cOverall health with increased water intake and exercise is the best way to improve health and help with decreasing UTIs,\u201d Dr. Shepherd shares. This includes good hygiene and being diligent about cleaning all of your lady parts. And make sure your partner does, too. \u201cBacteria from sexual intercourse is one of the most common ways women can get a UTI,\u201d Dr. Shepherd explains.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t use pads<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been using menstrual pads for ages and you haven\u2019t had any UTI issues in the past, this may be no biggie. But if you use pads and you find that you\u2019re struggling with regular UTIs, Dr. Kaufman recommends using tampons or another period control method. Pads \u201ccan allow fecal material to work their way up to the vaginal area,\u201d he points out.<\/p>\n Limit antibiotic use<\/p>\n Although it can\u2019t always be avoided, frequent antibiotic use can actually cause more harm than good and lead to UTIs. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea<\/a>, 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<\/a> to help repopulate the good bacteria in your body, but more research<\/a> is needed to test its effectiveness in treating UTIs.<\/p>\n Wipe front to back<\/p>\n \u201cAlways remember to wipe \u2018front to back\u2019 to avoid bringing unwanted bacteria from the anus to the vaginal area,\u201d Dr. Ross says. A rule as simple as this make all the difference between frequent UTIs and not getting any.<\/p>\n Stay hydrated<\/p>\n \u201cDrinking a lot of water will help keep unwanted bacteria moving out of your body,\u201d Dr. Ross says. \u201cAnd, don\u2019t hold in your urine for long periods of time\u2014a general rule of thumb is to urinate every two to three hours or when you first feel the urge.\u201d For the record, the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine recommends<\/a> that men get about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day from food and liquids while women get about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters).<\/p>\n Just know that this won\u2019t cure a UTI if you already have one. \u201cYou can\u2019t \u2018drown\u2019 the bacteria by super hydrating,\u201d Dr. Kaufman says. \u201cThe symptoms may temporarily improve but the bacteria are just diluted and temporarily less symptomatic. The infection is still present.\u201d<\/p>\n When to see your doctor<\/p>\n 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\u2019s likely you\u2019ll need antibiotics. If your symptoms are persisting beyond a few days, or you experience recurring UTI\u2019s, it\u2019s time to make an appointment with a professional to keep your condition from worsening.<\/p>\n Brown says you should seek medical care the same day you first notice symptoms if you\u2019re at risk for a complicated infection. \u201cThis includes people who are pregnant; have fever, shaking, chills, nausea, vomiting, or flank pain; are over age 65; were assigned male at birth; are immunocompromised; or have a urinary catheter or recent urologic procedure,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n UTI treatment<\/p>\n Treatment for a UTI is usually simple. \u201cYour doctor can prescribe an antibiotic and medications that decrease the burning\/pain with urination,\u201d says Courtenay Moore, M.D.,<\/a> a urologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.<\/p>\n \u201cIn addition to an appropriate course of antibiotics, hydration and pyridium (Azo), which turns the urine orange, may be used for the discomfort,\u201d says Priya Padmanabhan, M.D.<\/a>, a urologist at Corewell Health.<\/p>\n Once you start antibiotics, you\u2019ll usually start to feel better in a day or two, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But it\u2019s important to take all of the antibiotics prescribed to you to make sure you fully clear the infection.<\/p>\n Recurrent UTIs are defined<\/a> as two UTIs within the last six months or three UTIs in a year.<\/p>\n