Bacterial infections cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), so doctors often use antibiotics. But can UTI be treated without antibiotics?

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infectious diseases in the United States. They are more common in women, about 50% of whom will have one in their lifetime. Urinary tract infections often cause recurrence. Also, people want to know if non-antibiotic treatments can cure UTIs. We are exploring this opportunity and providing home treatment based on seven pieces of evidence that could help in the treatment of UTI.

Can urinary tract infections be treated without antibiotics?

Antibiotics are an effective treatment for UTIs. However, the body can process small UTIs without complicating itself without the help of antibiotics.

According to some estimates, 25-42% of uncomplicated UTIs are self-limiting. In these cases, people may try home remedies to speed recovery.

Complicated UTI will require medical treatment. These UTIs include one or more of the following:

changes in the intestine or organs, such as an enlarged prostate or reduced urination

types of bacteria resistant to antibiotics

conditions that affect the immune system, such as HIV, heart disease, or lupus

Benefits of antibiotics for UTIs

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for UTIs because they kill the bacteria that cause the infection. Most UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract from the outside.

 Types of bacteria that can cause UTI include:

Escherichia coli (E. coli), the cause of up to 90% of all bowel disease

Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Risk of antibiotics for UTIs

While antibiotics can treat UTI quickly and effectively, people may experience pain and there are some risks associated with their use.

For example, research shows that about 22 percent of women receiving treatment for uncomplicated UTI develop candida vagina, a fungal infection. Other side effects of antibiotics such as UTI treatment include:

nausea and vomiting

diarrhea

leather

headaches

negative liver function tests

Serious risks of using antibiotics include:

Create a stronger bacterial type

Over time, some types of bacteria become resistant to traditional antibiotics. According to some studies, several types of E. coli, the main cause of UTIs, indicate an increase in drug resistance.

The longer a person uses antibiotics, the harder the bacteria will grow. This usually happens when people do not follow the doctor's instructions to complete the treatment. It is important to continue with the antibiotic regimen until the end of the day prescribed by your doctor. And people should not talk about antibiotics.

Destroys good bacteria

The body has a host of bacteria, viruses and fungi living together and contributing to the function. Antibiotics can destroy some of these bacteria, which can increase the chances of other infections, according to some research.

7 Ways to Cure UTI Without Antibiotics

While scientific research supports some home remedies or physical therapies for UTI, others have been part of traditional medicine for thousands of years. To treat UTI without antibiotics, people can try the following home remedies:

1. Stay wet

Drinking enough water is one of the easiest ways to help prevent and treat UTIs.

Water helps the urinary tract to effectively remove waste from the body and retain essential nutrients and electrolytes.

Irrigation also dissolves urine and travels faster through the system, making it harder for bacteria to reach cells along the urinary tract and cause infections.

There is no advice on how much a person should drink per day, because everyone's water needs are different. On average, adults should drink at least 6 to 8 ounces of water a day. 

2. Water when the need arises

Frequent urination puts pressure on the bacteria in the gut, which can help remove them.

It reduces the length of time bacteria and urine are exposed to the cells in the urinary tract, reducing the risk of their entry and onset of disease.

Drink as soon as possible when the urge arises to help prevent and treat UTIs.

3. Drink cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is one of the natural remedies for UTIs. It has also been traditionally used to help eradicate disease in general and speed up wound healing. Studies on the effectiveness of cranberry juice for UTI have yielded results. Some studies show that using cranberries to prevent UTI does not produce consistent results. According to a reliable research paper, cranberry juice has compounds that can prevent E. coli by invading cells in the gut.

Cranberry juice also contains antioxidants, including polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. There are no guidelines on cranberry juice to drink to treat UTI, but the most common advice is to drink about 400 milliliters of at least 25% cranberry juice daily to prevent or treat urinary tract infections.

4. Use probiotics

Beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, can help keep the urinary tract healthy and free of harmful bacteria.

In particular, a group of probiotics called lactobacilli may help treat and prevent UTIs, according to some studies. They can do this by:

prevent harmful bacteria from entering cells in the urinary tract

produces hydrogen peroxide in the urine, which is a strong barrier

reduce the pH of the urine, making it unsuitable for bacteria

People who take lactobacillus supplements while taking antibiotics for UTI are more likely to start discontinuation of antibiotics than those who do not.

Probiotics are found in fermented forms in various dairy products, including:

yogurt

kefir

some types of cheese

Sauerkraut

People can also take probiotic supplements, usually in the form of capsule or powder mixed with water or other beverages. 

5. Get enough vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps improve the functioning of the immune system.

Vitamin C also reacts with nitrates in the urine to produce nitrogen oxides that can kill bacteria. It can reduce the pH of the urine, which reduces the chances of bacteria surviving.

Like cranberry juice, people have been using vitamin C in various forms to treat UTI for thousands of years. But there is not enough research to show whether vitamin C supplementation can prevent or cure UTI.

According to a few studies, taking additional supplements in addition to vitamin C may increase its benefits.

A 2016 study showed data for 36 people with recurrent UTI who took vitamin C, probiotics and cranberries three times a day for 20 days and then quit for 10 days. They repeated this procedure for 3 months. The researchers concluded that this may be a safe and effective treatment option for UTIs.

The National Institutes of Health recommends that 19-year-old women and adults receive a minimum of 75 mg of vitamin C per day, while men require about 90 mg per day. Adults who smoke should take 35 mg of vitamin D daily. 

6. Wipe from front to back

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), UTI can develop when bacteria from the rectum or fecal enter the urethra. This small channel allows urine to come out of the body.

Once bacteria enter the urethra, they can pass to other parts of the urinary tract, where they can become infected.

After washing the urine, dry yourself in a way that prevents bacteria from entering the area. Use different toilet paper to clean the area and strength.

7. Increases sexual purity

NIDDK  also states that sexually transmitted bacteria and other germs enter from the outside into the urinary tract. Good sexual hygiene can help reduce the number of bacteria that people can transmit during sex and other sexual activities.

Here is an example of true sexual purity:

urine before and immediately after sex

use a contraceptive, such as a condom

wash the penis, especially the penis, before and after sex or have sex

body wash or condom change when you change from anal to sexual

make sure your partners know any UTI present or past