a person holding a container of cranberries
Getty Images

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can knock you off your feet, causing a range of symptoms like There was bloody urine. and pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region.

These infections are responsible for roughly 8 million doctor visits each year and are the second most common type of infection to occur in the human body. They occur more often in women but can affect men as well.

Antibiotics are used to treat the symptoms of the UTI and can help speed up recovery. If left unaddressed, UTIs can lead to serious health problems.

Home remedies that are prescribed by a healthcare professional can help ease symptoms and prevent recurrence.

The terms “women” and “men” are used in this article to reflect the terms used to describe gender people. Your gender identity may not match how your body responds to this disease.

Your doctor can help you understand how your circumstances will affect your diagnosis and treatment.

A urinary tract infection is when the bacterium enter the urinary tract and cause problems. The urinary tract can be affected by this infection.

  • The urethra.
  • bladder
  • The tissues of the body.
  • The kidneys.

Symptoms

Symptoms of utis can be:

  • burning sensation while urinating.
  • Sometimes there is a urge to urinate and produce little urine.
  • Lower abdominal pain.
  • There is urine leaking.
  • There is a foul-smelling urine.
  • There was bloody urine.
  • Lower back pain.

If a UTI spreads to the The kidneys., which is a serious infection, you may have symptoms like:

  • There is a high degree of fever.
  • The back pain is not sciatic.
  • Nausea and vomiting.

Causes

Though UTIs can affect anyone, they’re more common in women. In fact, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that 40 to 60% of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime.

This is because people assigned female at birth have a shorter The urethra., so it’s easier for bacteria to enter their bladder.

Urinary tract infections in men are often related to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy) blocking the flow of urine. This allows bacteria to have an easier time occupying the urinary tract.

In almost 90% of cases, the bacterium Escherichia coli is the cause of the UTI. E. coli is normally found inside the intestines. When confined to the intestines, it’s harmless. But sometimes, this bacterium gets into the urinary tract and causes an infection.

Sex may trigger a UTI in women. This is because intercourse can move bacteria from the anal area to near the opening of the The urethra.. Women can lower their risk of infection by urinating after sexual activity.

Sperminators, condoms, and diaphragms can raise the risk of a UTI. The risk is higher in people with weakened immune systems.

UTI fast facts

  • The second most common type of infections are utis.
  • E. coli is the cause of most UTIs, but viruses and other germs can also cause them.
  • There are 8 million doctor visits related to urinary tract infections in the United States.

Most UTIs aren’t serious if treated promptly with antibiotics. But if left untreated, the infection can spread up to the The kidneys. and bloodstream and become life threatening. Kidney infections can lead to kidney damage and kidney scarring.

Symptoms of a UTI usually improve within 2 to 4 days after starting antibiotic therapy. Many doctors prescribe an antibiotic for at least 3 days.

“Some infections don’t clear up after antibiotic therapy, which may mean a different type of antibiotic is required.”

The overuse or misuse of antibiotics can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, a growing problem that can make it more challenging to treat issues like recurrent UTIs. Because of this risk, experts have been looking for other ways to treat UTIs alongside antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance 101

  • The antibiotics they target can become resistant to them.
  • At least 2 million people per year in the United States contract antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

So far, preliminary studies have been promising. Some research has shown that UTIs may be treated without traditional antibiotics by targeting E. coli’s surface component for adhesion, FimH.

Typically, the urinary tract flushes away bacteria when you urinate. But according to researchers, FimH can cause E. coli to firmly attach to the cells in the urinary tract, which can make it hard for the body to naturally flush the bacteria from the urinary tract.

There may someday be other treatment options for urinary tract infections, if researchers can find a way to target this protein with other therapies.

D-mannose is a sugar that sticks to E. coli. Recently, researchers have studied the possibility of using D-mannose and other mannose-containing substances to block the binding of FimH to the lining of the urinary tract.

One 2021 review concluded that D-mannose could help reduce the incidence of recurrent UTIs and improve quality of life.

More research is needed, but potentially, a medication that utilizes a mannose-containing substance that opposes FimH from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract could show promise for the treatment of UTIs caused by E. coli.

Researchers have also tested immune-boosting drugs as well, which could help urinary tract cells become more resistant to infections.

The American Urological Association (AUA) recommends vaginal estrogen as a non-antibiotic option for perimenopausal or postmenopausal women seeking to prevent recurrent infections.

Antibiotics are the most effective standard treatment for urinary tract infections.

Along with standard antibiotic therapy prescribed by a healthcare professional, you can try several home remedies to feel better sooner and reduce the likelihood of recurrent infections.

1. Try cranberries

Cranberries may contain an ingredient that stops bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract.

Though research is inconclusive, some studies suggest that you might be able to reduce your risk of UTIs with cranberry products, including unsweetened cranberry juice, cranberry supplements, or dried cranberries.

But other studies have noted that the use of cranberries to prevent UTIs doesn’t produce consistent results, so more research is needed.

If cranberry juice isn’t quite to your taste, consider trying AZO Cranberry Caplets. These cranberry powder caplets are designed to promote urinary tract health. Each box contains 50 caplets.

2. Drink plenty of water

Although urinating can be painful when you have a UTI, it’s important to drink as many fluids as possible — particularly water. Most adults should aim to drink between six and eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

The more you drink, the more you will urinate, which can help flush harmfulbacteria from the urinary tract.

3. Pee when you need to

If you hold your urine or ignore the urge to urinate, you can allow the growth ofbacteria in your urinary tract. Always use the bathroom when you feel the urge.

It is important to always urinate after sex and to make sure you are fully emptying your bladder when you do. It is important to wipe front to back after you urinate.

4. Take probiotics

Probiotics promote healthy digestion and immunity. They also may be effective in treating and preventing UTIs when used alongside standard antibiotic therapy.

With a UTI, bad bacteria replace good bacteria in the urogenital system, especially those of one group called Lactobacillus. Probiotics can restore good bacteria and might reduce the recurrence of a UTI.

Though some research suggests that probiotics may be effective in UTI prevention and treatment, more studies are needed.

If you’re interested in trying probiotics for urinary tract health, consider Align’s Dualbiotic supplement, an easy-to-take pre and probiotic designed to help with digestive health.

5. Get more vitamin C

Increasing your intake of vitamin C may help boost your immune system.

But some research has found conflicting evidence for the effectiveness of vitamin C in treating UTIs, noting that not enough studies have been done to support this treatment.

Don’t love fresh-squeezed orange juice? Add a Nature’s Bounty Vitamin C caplet to your supplement routine. Each caplet contains 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C.

6. Wear loose clothing

It is possible to keep the area dry and clean by wearing cotton-lined and loose-fitting clothing.

Tight-fitting clothing and certain types of fabric can trap moisture that allows bacteria to grow in the genital area, which could worsen the infection.

7. Consider switching birth control

Some older research suggests that certain contraceptives may contribute to the cause of UTIs in some women.

If you use contraceptives like spermicides, nonlubricated condoms, or diaphragms, it is worth talking with your doctor about other contraceptive methods.

8. Use a heating pad

It is possible to reduce the pain of a UTI by applying a heating pad to your lower abdomen.

“If you are experiencing severe pain that doesn’t go away even with at- home methods, it is best to see a doctor.”

UTI supplement options

Read our full review of Uqora, a company that focuses on developing natural supplements for UTI prevention.

Some research estimates that 25 to 42 percent of uncomplicated UTIs can go away on their own. This is usually only common in women with no other health issues.

But there are some serious risks that can come from leaving a UTI untreated, including pyelonephritis and sepsis. Therefore, it’s important to talk with your doctor and seek treatment if you suspect you may have a UTI.

Here are a few tips for avoiding the disease.

Skip baths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend taking showers instead of baths to help prevent UTIs. If you’re prone to frequent UTIs, you may want to swap your soothing soaks with luxurious showers.

Invest in a bidet

Wiping from front to back after going to the bathroom can help prevent the spread of bacteria to the The urethra., but it can be tough to clean thoroughly with toilet paper alone. Feel clean as a whistle without having to jump in the shower by installing an inexpensive bidet attachment, like the LUXE Bidet Neo 120.

A bidet is a great option for cleaning up after two. You can use it to refresh yourself after sex or menstruation.

Wash your genital area properly

Proper washing doesn’t include douching or the use of scented products. In fact, these can cause irritation and exacerbate down-there issues. Instead, choose a gentle cleanser, like Cetaphil, or wash with water alone.

Drink lots of water

The same advice is given for treating a UTI. It is important to drink plenty of water on a regular basis to rid yourself of nastybacteria that can lead to infections.

The painful utis are caused by something. Antibiotic treatment can help stop the pain and alleviate the infections. If you have a UTI, talk to your doctor. You should feel better in a few days.

Even after your symptoms improve, take your antibiotics as instructed.

“If the UTI doesn’t resolve after antibiotic treatment or you end up with multiple episodes, your doctor will likely do further testing.”

This could be in the form of a letter.

Depending on the severity of your UTI, you may be referred to a urologist.

Certain strains ofbacteria can cause infections. They can be mild to severe. The degree of severity depends on a number of factors.

  • Your immune system status.
  • The bacterium is causing the problem.
  • Where in your body is the problem?

Your doctor will be able to give you an evaluation tailored to your needs in order to make a diagnosis and determine the proper therapy.

Can UTIs go away on their own?

Research shows that up to 42% of uncomplicated UTIs can be gone spontaneously.

If you suspect you have a UTI, it is important to seek treatment from a healthcare professional.

Do you need to see a doctor to get antibiotics for a UTI?

You need to speak with a doctor or medical professional if you want to get antibiotics for a UTI. This can be done in person, over the phone or in person.

If you have a first UTI or have a severe one, it is helpful to get it treated in person. If you have multiple sexual partners, you may want to visit your healthcare professional to rule out sexually transmitted infections.

How long do UTIs last?

Symptoms of a UTI can improve within 2 to 4 days with antibiotic treatment.

Depending on a number of factors, this can be different, including how quickly you receive treatment, the severity of your infection, and whether or not any complications arise.

The course of antibiotics should be completed for the symptoms of the UTI to be completely resolved.

What’s the fastest way to get rid of a UTI?

Antibiotics are the most effective way to treat a UTI.

How long does it take for a UTI to go away without antibiotics?

Sometimes, the infections clear up on their own. It can take a week for symptoms to go away.

What’s the most effective home remedy for a UTI?

There is no research on the effectiveness of home remedies. If you are having symptoms of a UTI, it is important to consult with a doctor.

Do you need an antibiotic to get rid of chronic UTIs?

A short course of antibiotics is the first line of treatment for urinary tract infections. A doctor might prescribe a long-term antibiotic for chronic infections.

If treated quickly with antibiotics, most uti infections are not very serious.

If you suspect you have a UTI, you should speak with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and be prescribed antibiotics.