How to Get Rid of a UTI: Complete Guide 2024
By Vanessa Richards
January 10, 2024 • Fact checked by Dumb Little Man
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The urinary system is naturally free from bacteria. However, in some cases, bacteria can enter the urinary system and cause infections.
Normally, the human body is greatly capable of fighting the microbes that may enter the urinary tract. However, sometimes our immunity loses, leaving us with bacterial infections.
Bacteria usually cause urinary tract infections. However, they can also be caused by viruses and even fungi. Mainly, urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that can be easily treated with the right antibiotics.
UTIs affect your kidneys and bladder along with your genitals. If you are struggling with a urinary tract infection, find comfort in knowing that science has figured it out to a large extent. And yes, you can get rid of it successfully.
How To Get Rid of a UTI: What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection refers to any infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi anywhere in the urinary system. Women with urinary tract infections experience extreme pain during urination.
Apart from that, they also have an uncomfortably high frequency of urination. In severe cases, urethral muscles get damaged.
Thus, it results in losing control over urination and bowel movements.
Women are more vulnerable to UTIs compared to men. In most cases, recurrent urinary tract infections occur either in the urethra or the bladder.
In rare cases, women may also get upper urinary tract infections.
UTI Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms |
---|
Pelvic pain |
Uncomfortably persistent urge to urinate |
Pain during urination |
Tenderness in the upper back |
A burning sensation during urination |
Losing control over urination |
Chills |
Nausea |
Cramping in the groin or lower abdomen |
Red, pink, or cloudy urine |
Strong smelling urine |
Vomiting |
Fever |
Lower back pain |
Fatigue |
Pain during sex |
Causes of Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection in women can be caused by anything that can move microbes into the urinary system. Similarly, anything that can disrupt the vaginal microbiome can lead to urinary tract infections in women.
Here are some of the major ways in which women can get urinary tract infections.
Harmful Microbes Entering the Urinary System
The microbes that cause UTIs can enter the urinary system of women through sex, injuries, or other illnesses.
The Death of Useful Bacteria in the Urinary System
In some cases, a UTI happens because healthy bacteria in the bladder are no longer able to keep dangerous bacteria at bay.
For instance, excessive use of antibiotics can kill the healthy bacteria in the urinary system, which can lead to infections down there.
Menstruation
Research indicates that women are more likely to develop acute urinary tract infections during menstruation. That’s because harmful microbes can enter the urinary system during menses.
Apart from that, the low levels of vaginal estrogen during menstruation can also increase the risk of developing a UTI.
Short Urethra
Anatomical problems, such as having a short urethra, can also lead to UTIs in women. That’s because the shorter your urethra is, the closer it is to the anus and vagina.
This means that microbes are highly likely to enter your urinary tract both from your vagina and anus.
Sexual Intercourse
During sexual intercourse, microbes can easily move from the anus to the urethra in women. This is especially true if a couple is having both anal and vaginal intercourse at the same time.
Similarly, women can also get bacteria from the bodies of male or female partners during sex.
Spermicides
Excessive use of spermicide can kill the healthy bacteria in the vagina along with sperm. This makes the vaginal microbiome incapable of keeping harmful bacteria at bay, which can lead to urinary tract infections.
Condoms
Condoms usually keep the transfer of microbes between people. However, if they are non-lubricated and latex condoms, they can increase the risk of women developing recurrent urinary tract infections in women.
The same is true about condoms that are coated with spermicide.
>>Related Article: What Causes Vaginal Burning? Symptoms and Treatments Guide 2024
Common Types of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
As we already mentioned earlier, UTIs can be caused by many bacteria anywhere in the urinary system. Here are some of the basic and most common types of UTIs.
Cystitis
This is the type of lower UTI that affects the bladder. In some cases, only the bladder gets infected. However, mostly the infection of the bladder occurs after bacterial infection in the urine.
What happens is that the bacteria that infect the urine travel up to the bladder and affect its lining too. Cystitis can be extremely painful. However, it is not contagious and cannot be transmitted sexually.
If it becomes severe and chronic, it can also cause a kidney infection. It is one of the most common types of UTIs in women.
Urethritis
Urethritis is the type of UTI in which the female urethra swells, irritates, and becomes inflamed. It is a bit uncomplicated urinary tract infection.
Although it is typically caused by an infection in the urethra, it is also a very common sexually transmitted disease.
Pyelonephritis
It is among the most severe types of UTIs. In the case of pyelonephritis, the kidneys become infected.
Vaginitis
In the case of vaginitis, the bacteria affect the vagina, which results in the inflammation of the vagina. This leads to itching, pain, and discharge from the vagina.
Although it is commonly caused by bacterial infection, menopause and some skin disorders can also lead to vaginitis.
How to Get Rid of a UTI
Antibiotics
As we already pointed out, UTIs in women are usually caused mostly by unhealthy bacteria. That’s antibiotics are so commonly used to treat UTIs.
Some of the commonly used antibiotics that are used to treat UTIs include Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, Sulfonamides, Cephalosporins, Trimethoprim, and Quinolones.
The bacteria that cause UTIs can differ from person to person and situation to situation. This is why it’s up to your doctor to decide which antibiotics are good for you.
Usually, Lower tract infections are treated with oral antibiotics. While upper tract infections are treated with intravenous ones.
Antibiotics are known for their side effects. That’s why you shouldn’t take an antibiotic simply because it seems to be working for you.
Apart from that, you should complete the full course of antibiotics even if the symptoms have gone away. That’s because relapse is very high for bacterial infections.
Antibiotic treatment courses for UTIs in women are usually kept as short as possible due to the high risk of antibiotic resistance.
Home Remedies
Although the use of antibiotics for getting rid of UTIs is very common, a lot of people are shifting towards more natural treatments.
Scientific findings are increasingly proving that natural remedies for getting rid of UTIs are more successful and less harmless than antibiotics.
Here we will recommend you some of the scientifically proven effective natural remedies that will help you treat and prevent UTIs.
Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
This is among the most common and successful natural treatments of UTIs. Research indicates that people who drink cranberry juice regularly tend to have fewer UTI episodes.
This is because the ingredients in cranberry juice act as a barrier between the urinary system and the bacteria that cause infection in it.
In other words, cranberry juice not only treats UTIs but can also prevent urinary and bladder infections. If you have UTI, drinking about 8-ounce of cranberry juice daily can help you keep uncomplicated UTIs at bay very easily.
Research also indicates that drinking cranberry juice also decreases the chances of women getting recurrent UTIs. Cranberries have polyphenols and other antioxidants that can help with reducing inflammation.
Although studies prove the effectiveness of cranberry juice in getting rid of UTIs, you should not rely only on cranberry juice. It’s important to continue other therapies and treatments along with it.
Another important thing to know is not to add sugar to the juice. Adding sugar to cranberry juice tends to reduce its effectiveness as a UTI treatment.
Doctors also suggest taking cranberry supplements instead of cranberry juice. While taking a cranberry supplement, make sure it contains proanthocyanidins (PAC).
Probiotics
Probiotics (beneficial bacteria) are also very good at treating UTIs. It is much more natural than other treatments. Because generally, it is the helpful bacteria in the urinary apparatus that prevent UTIs.
Research indicates that the Lactobacillus group of probiotic bacteria is particularly effective in getting rid of UTIs.
These bacteria produce hydrogen peroxide, which is a very powerful antibacterial substance. They also act as a barrier between the urinary system and dangerous bacteria.
Apart from that, probiotics are incredibly good at lowering urine’s pH. Some of the best home remedies in this regard include kefir, yogurt, cheese, and sauerkraut.
You can also try supplements that contain probiotics.
Vitamin C
One of the ways in which our bodies prevent bacteria from damaging your urinary apparatus is through acidity. Urine is naturally acidic, which is one of the reasons why it is naturally free from bacteria.
People with UTIs can increase the acidity of their urine by consuming Vitamin C. By increasing the acidity of the urine, Vitamin C can help you kill unhealthy bacteria.
Research indicates that Vitamin C significantly reduces UTIs in pregnant women.
Vitamin C alone cannot be enough to treat recurrent UTIs. However, research shows that when combined with cranberries and probiotics, it is an effective treatment for recurrent UTIs.
The antioxidant effects of Vitamin C are also very effective in boosting immunity. Some Vitamin C-rich foods that you should eat include oranges, kiwifruit, grapefruit, and red peppers.
D-Mannose
D-Mannose, a glucose-like compound, is also very effective in treating and preventing UTIs.
When you consume D-Mannose, it stops the harmful bacteria from your attaching to the urothelium.
D-Mannose should be used alongside other treatments.
Garlic Extract
Garlic is one of the most famous antimicrobial foods and home remedies for treating urinary and other problems. Consuming garlic can improve your immunity and help you eliminate UTIs through its antimicrobial properties. Adding garlic to your diet is among the best UTI prevention strategies.
Change Your Birth Control
Spermicides, as we have already discussed, can increase your chances of getting UTIs. The same is true about the diaphragm. So, if you are on birth control, make sure you use the method that is right for you and can’t cause or worsen UTIs.
Supplements
If you are in search of a product that can help you get rid of UTI without compromising the health of your genitals and your overall health, you should try supplements.
Fights Harmful Antigens and Bacteria: Urinary Tract Support (UTS)
Urinary Tract Support (UTS) is just the right product for you. Most UTI treatment products available in the market are for men, which is why women are often the ones who experience the side effects of these products.
Urinary Tract Support (UTS) can safely be used for female UTIs because it is a 100% natural probiotic and prebiotic supplement. It relieves the pain associated with UTIs and other UTI symptoms without inflicting any side effects on the user.
This supplement contains cranberries (from Pacran); DE111, LH01, LL5, T4D, and LL12 (from PreforPro); vegetable cellulose, silicon dioxide, moisture rice dextrin, and medium chain triglycerides.
How Does It Work?
UTS contains probiotics that can help you restore the health of your immune and digestive systems. The probiotics in these supplements are fully able to remove and fight harmful antigens and bacteria, thereby freeing urinary tract cells from the damage caused by harmful antigens and bacteria, such as Escherichia coli.
UTS contains DE111can produce invincible spores that survive for long times. That’s why UTS can ensure the long-term health of your digestive system.
The PreforPro in UTS is a prebiotic strain than can kill pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia Coli. It is also excellent for keeping a healthy gut microbiota which can not only keep your digestive system healthy but also your immune system and overall health.
How Can Urinary Tract Support (UTS) Help You?
- Improve the intestinal and overall health of your urinary system.
- Manage urine incontinence.
- Treat frequent urination.
- Can treat involuntary leakage of urine and bed wetting.
- Prevent urinary tract infections.
- Keep you safe from bladder infections.
- Maintain a regular urine sphincter.
- Give you efficient control over bowel movements.
- Maintain optimum PAC levels in your body.
- It will keep you safe from digestive and kidney diseases.
- Improve the physical strength of your bladder walls.
- Prevent recurrent infections in the future.
- Improve your immunity and, therefore, your overall health.
- Promotes healthy weight management.
- Improve your bile metabolism.
Shop Vitapost Urinary Tract Support Supplement at the Official Website.
Full Article: Vitapost Urinary Tract Support Supplement Reviews: Does it Really Work?
Conclusion
Most people rely on antibiotics for treating UTIs. While antibiotics are great at offering temporary relief, the long-term effects are not worth it. That’s why we always suggest the use of natural supplements and natural remedies. Urinary Tract Support (UTS) is one the best natural supplements in this regard.
Why is Urinary Tract Support (UTS) the Best?
- Approved by the FDA.
- Manufactured in a GMP-certified facility.
- No need for a subscription to purchase it.
- 100% safe and non-GMO.
- Made from natural ingredients.
- Easy to use.
- Effects of UTS are permanent.
- Comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.
- Laboratory tested.
- Backed by rigorous and authentic scientific research.
Click Here to Get Vitapost Urinary Tract Support Supplement at a Discounted Price.
>>Related Article: Why Is My Vagina Itchy? 5 Remedies for Vaginal Itching: Complete Guide 2024
How To Get Rid of a UTI FAQs
Are UTIs sexually transmitted?
Some UTIs are sexually transmitted while others aren’t.
Why do women suffer more from recurrent urinary tract infections?
Women suffer from recurrent UTIs more because they have short urethras.
Can UTIs lead to cancer?
Yes, recurrent and severe UTIs can lead to bladder cancer.
Vanessa Richards
Vanessa is a mom of 3 lovely children and a software geek. Outside of her career as a health and wellness instructor. She enjoys writing and researching on topics such as finance, software, health and culinary.