Women!!!! (and very few men) Any home remedies for UTI's?

Question

So I've had horrible UTI's (urinary tract infections) off and on for year's now. I'm told I will get them the rest of my life. I've been on antibiotics, seen multiple specialists, and they all guess it's attributed to a change in my environment...AKA no long term treatment. I'm very sensitive to pop/alcohol and get them when I don't drink enough water.

What are your alternate home remedies besides cranberry juice or medication? (if I drink another glass of cranberry, i'll puke!) Thanks :)

I just want to personally thank everyone who has and does respond to my message. Some stuff I am aware of and try to practice, but there were a lot of suggestions that were new to me! It's also comforting to know that other women experience the same pain, both mentally and physically, which eases the frustration in a way. Thank you again for helpful responses!!!

Answer 1

I'll second these suggestions! Your best option is prevention. Stay away from alcohol and caffeine, since they'll dehydrate you - the less frequently you go, the more bacteria can build up. (I know it's lame to not be able to have a beer or a coffee... but UTIs are even worse!) That's also why you should drink plenty of water - try getting a big water bottle and shoot for having to fill it three times in the day. Every day!

Also, cranberry extract is heaven-sent! I take 2 tablets every day at night, and the only time I get UTIs anymore is when I run out and don't refill - that teaches me! Some of them even come with vitamins C & E, which helps keep your immune system strong enough to fight the infection.

Remember to keep your 'lower half' covered with non-restricting, cotton-based undies and pants. If you can at all avoid wearing pantyhose, do it! Even thongs can be rough for some people. You've gotta breathe down there to prevent a damp, warm environment... and that's what bacteria loves!

I don't know if you're sexually active, but if you are, make sure you go the the bathroom immediately after sex. This forces any bacteria that might have been forced up your urinary tract out. I know it's not sexy to hop out of bed right afterwards - but UTIs aren't very sexy either!

To continue the grossness, when you go the the bathroom... wipe front to back. The bacteria that causes UTIs can be found in your feces, so you don't want to wipe that forwards. (Sorry to be graphic, but it's true.)

And basically: stay hydrated, well-rested, take your vitamins, be good to you. Keep that immune system supported!

Answer 2

Ok, I can relate....I had my bladder reconstructed at 6 years old and have been dealing with chronic UTI's since then, I have them so often, that I am almost used to it!

As you should know UTI is an e-coli infection in your unrinary tract, so the only practical answers are:

1. Drink alot of water (I know it sucks I love soda)
2. They sell cranberry pills so you can avoid the whole juice thing. (The cranberry is a preventative to e-coli)
3. Urintae & wash after sex.
4. Aviod tight fitting bottoms (thongs, tights, tight jeans etc.)
5. Avoid baths, it is best to take showers and not soak in the water.
6. Use mild, perfume free soaps (you know where)
7. Keep it clean all the time, meaning even afetr urinating grab a wet clotth and wipe it out, if you did wear tight clothing as soon as you remove the clothing wash (you know where)
8. Try to fight it off without the antibiotics, your body can be immune to them or can actually become dependant to fight off even the smallest oncoming of an infection. I am not saying avoid the Dr. you will know when you need to go.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

First of all, go buy the cranberry tablets at your local health food store. There is only so much unsweetened not-from-concentrate cranberry juice you can drink. Take the cranberry tablets every day as a maintenance measure. It helps to keep bacteria from adhering to the lining of your bladder. Garlic tablets as a maintenance measure also helped me. You absolutely positively have to stay away from alcohol and caffeine if you are that sensitive to UTIs and you want them to stop. The less sugar you have in your diet the better too.

Now if you already have a UTI, your best bet is a course of Macrobid. You do not want a UTI to travel to your kidneys. I had that happen to me, my kidneys were actually bleeding and it was the most painful thing I have ever felt.

Also pee right after sex. Always wipe from front to back.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Oh boy this is right up my alley! I remember my first uti I thought I was passing a kidney stone or something I had no idea what was going on. Here's what the nurse told me, sleep without constricting underwear, "it" needs to breath too much warmth is a breeding ground for bacteria. And I know you don't wanna hear it, but cranberry juice is good for this but not too much a glass a day should do it and plenty of water, 6-8 glasses a day to keep the uti's away :) I'm also sensitive to sodas if I even drink a mountain dew i get a uti so maybe it's the sugar content so watch your sweets. Also when you shower don't use soap "in" there. You'll wash away your natural defences just rinse with water, wash around but not "in". Let's see what else... oh too much salt does it for me too. So... watch your salt intake, your sugars, avoid soda all together, drink plenty of water and at least a cranberry juice a day also grape juice, sleep in your birthday suit or at least without panties, use a laundry soap that's free from dyes and allergents like "All" makes one. Feel free to email me about this I've dealt with uti's for over 10 years now and i can say i now know when one is even trying to come on and i head it off at the pass. Also a good rule of thumb, keep on hand otc medication. They make some great ones now that help kill the pain and even help fight the infection until you can get rid of it yourself IF you catch it early enough. I am never without these, Uristat, there's another really good one too can't think of the name off hand but check at your local drug store or rite aid.

Answer 5

I just fought off a beginning UTI by drinking water and taking Cranberry Concentrate pills (I got mine at the Walmart pharmacy) it's WAY better than drinking Cranberry juice (YUCK!!) Keep hydrated or the infection will move into your kidneys and that is seriously painful. I took one Cranberry pill with every meal when I was fighting my infection, now I just take one a day. Hope this helps! Good luck, I know that situation sucks!

Answer 6

Well I was going to say cranberry juice...drink more water! It's really healthy for your skin and flushes out your system. You also said you get the UTI's when you don't drink enough water so get yourself on a water schedule or something. Like, 8-10 cups a day.

Answer 7

The best Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is that one should drink lots of fluids to help in flushing out the bacteria. You must drink as much water as possible in a day along with fresh lemon juice, fresh coconut water, orange juice, sugarcane juice and pineapple juice as they are extremely useful in this condition. You must eat fruits like apple, grapes, peaches and plums in good quantity. Carrot juice would be very beneficial for your infection. Please avoid exposing yourself to sun or heat since excessive perspiration takes away lot of water from the body and the urine thus becomes concentrated and when this concentrated urine passes through urinary tract passage, it causes irritation and gives rise to burning sensation. Drink Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) soups daily and also consume 30 ml of Morinda Citrifolia (Noni) juice twice a day, if available in your country for best results. You must avoid oily, spicy and junk food. Tea, coffee and aerated cold drinks are also bad for health and to be avoided. Besides the above, a personal hygiene is also maintained to avoid formation of bacteria in the UTI. Take care and be in good health.

Answer 8

answered your own question,if you get then when you dont drink enough water then the answer is drink the water