More common in women, urinary tract infection (UTI) can be quite uncomfortable, if not painful, in the short time span that it occurs. Although UTI can be treated by a medical professional, there are also home remedies that may help before you need to seek out medical help.
What is Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection in the bladder, kidneys, urethra, or any part of the urinary system. Most of the infections occur in the lower urinary tract, such as the bladder and the urethra.
UTI Symptoms
There are a few noticeable symptoms of UTI, including:
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- Cramping
- Fatigue or fever
- Pain during sexual intercourse or urination
- Pain in the lower abdomen, bladder, groin, or pelvis
- Urinary Issues (bloody, cloudy, dark, foul smell, frequency, persistent, sense of incomplete bladder emptying)
- Vaginal irritation
How Do You Get A UTI?
Stool bacteria from the anus entering the urinary tract is the cause of UTIs. Bacteria that live in the vagina and genital areas can also enter the urethra, traveling to the bladder, and causing infection.
Because women have shorter urethras, which carry pee out of the body and are closer to the anus, the entering bacteria is more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys to cause infection.
If you want to try your own remedies for UTI before seeking medical attention, there are home remedies available for you to try.
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13 Home Remedies for UTIs
Cranberry juice – cranberry juice (or the supplements) is the most popular of the natural treatments for UTIs; the flavonoids and phenolic acids in cranberries help prevent and treat UTIs.
Staying hydrated – drinking water and other healthy liquids will make you urinate more frequently, resulting in the removal of bacteria from the urinary tract.
Increase your vitamin C – It increases the acidity of the urine, killing off the infection-causing bacteria.
Use probiotics – Certain strains of probiotics can decrease the risk of UTIs.
Antibiotics – They are the main line of defense against UTIs and can also be taken with probiotics to be more effective against UTIs.
Don’t hold your pee – Holding your urine for too long can cause a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection.
Urinate after sex – You can reduce the risk of infection by urinating after intercourse, preventing the spread of bacteria.
Avoid spermicide – The use of spermicide should be avoided, particularly for those prone to UTIs, because there is a link.
Wipe front to back – After using the toilet, it is more sanitary, and safer, to wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria to the urinary tract.
Natural supplements – Besides cranberry, garlic extract, bearberry leaf, and D-Mannose are supplements that have been researched and shown to treat UTIs and their occurrence.
Feel the heat – A heating pad placed upon the area of irritation or inflammation can be a soothing remedy.
Wear loose clothing – Loose and cotton-lined clothing will keep you clean and dry, assisting with treating preexisting UTI infections.
Less meat and more fruit and vegetables – Changing your diet to include more fruits and veggies, as opposed to meat, can reduce the harmful bacteria that cause UTIs.
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When to see a doctor
If these home remedies are not helpful for improving your UTI, seek medical attention. Your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics for treatment.
With bladder infection symptoms, UTI mostly goes away within 24 to 48 hours after treatment. With kidney infection symptoms, UTI goes away after a week or more.
