Only antibiotics will cure a UTI, but home remedies could help prevent future infections

The burning, the urgency, the pain. When a urinary tract infection (UTI) strikes, you just want it to go away. But do you have to see a healthcare provider, or could home remedies clear it up?

Urologist Emily Slopnick, MD, discusses potential home remedies for UTIs and the only way to get rid of infections safely.

Can you treat a UTI at home?

So-called “home remedies” for UTIs, like drinking cranberry juice or chugging more water, can’t clear up a UTI.

“Some home remedies might help prevent a future UTI, but they can’t clear up one that’s already there,” Dr. Slopnick clarifies. “Once you have a UTI, the only effective treatment is antibiotics.”

When you head to a healthcare provider’s office, they’ll do a urine culture test. And if your urine tests positive for bacteria, you’ll likely be given a prescription for antibiotics.

Why UTIs need antibiotics

You may have heard that taking unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful, but when it comes to UTIs, antibiotics aren’t optional. And as long as you take them as directed, the benefits outweigh any risks.

“Without treatment, UTIs can spread to your kidneys and damage them,” Dr. Slopnick explains. “In severe cases, UTIs can cause sepsis, which is life-threatening. And if you’re pregnant, UTIs can also lead to preterm birth or your baby having a low birth weight. That’s why we prescribe antibiotics.”

If your provider prescribes antibiotics, be sure to take all of the medication exactly as directed.

“Most people feel better after a day or two on antibiotics,” she continues, “but it’s important to finish the medication, even if you feel fine. Stopping antibiotics early can allow antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow, which can make it harder to treat future infections.”

UTI home remedies for prevention

OK, so home remedies can’t treat UTIs. But can they help prevent them?

“We don’t have solid research to show that home remedies can help you avoid UTIs,” Dr. Slopnick states, “but some of these strategies have little or no risk, so it’s fine to try and see if they help.”

If you get frequent UTIs, these home remedies could help break the cycle.

1. Pee after sex

UTIs after sex can happen when your urethra comes into contact with normally harmless bacteria on your skin. But a preventive pee could flush those unwelcome guests away before they can get into your urinary tract.

“Peeing after sex isn’t a guarantee that you won’t get a UTI,” Dr. Slopnick says. “But there’s no harm trying this strategy if you tend to get these infections after sex.”

2. Drink enough water

When you drink water throughout the day, your bladder gets regular chances to fill up and flush out. This process helps keep your urinary tract free of germs.

“One study found that premenopausal women had a lower risk of UTIs when they drank more water,” shares Dr. Slopnick. “But the study only looked at people who weren’t drinking enough before. If you’re already well hydrated, drinking even more water probably won’t help.”

It’s also dangerous to drink too much water because it can lead to water intoxication.

“The color of your urine can give you an idea of how hydrated you are,” she adds. “If it’s totally clear, you may be drinking too much, and if it’s dark yellow, you’re not drinking enough. Ideally, it should be a light yellow color.”

3. Consider cranberry

Some people swear by cranberry juice or supplements to prevent UTIs. And while it’s not a miracle cure, it doesn’t hurt to try it.

“Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, a substance that can keep bacteria from sticking to your urinary tract,” explains Dr. Slopnick. “But the research on cranberry is mixed, with some showing some benefit and others showing no improvement.”

She says supplements are generally recommended over juice, as they have higher concentrations of proanthocyanidins than juice.

Plus, when it comes to cranberry juice, you have to be very cautious of sugar.

“A cup of unsweetened cranberry juice contains 30 grams of sugar, which is as much as some sodas,” Dr. Slopnick cautions. “Sweetened varieties contain even more sugar. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, talk with your provider about how much is safe for you.”

4. Wipe front to back, always

Old habits die hard, but if you wipe from back to front when you use the toilet, it’s time to switch.

“Wiping in this direction moves bacteria from your anus to your urethra, which can cause a UTI,” warns Dr. Slopnick. “Always wipe front to back, and if you have kids, teach them to do the same when you potty train them.”

5. Try vaginal estrogen

You may find that UTIs become more frequent after you go through menopause.

“Lower estrogen levels make the tissues in your vagina and urethra thinner, drier and more prone to irritation,” Dr. Slopnick explains. “It can also cause you to lose some of the healthy bacteria in the genital area that helps prevent UTIs due to pH changes in the vagina.”

You can help combat these effects by using a vaginal estrogen cream, ring or tablet.

“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that vaginal estrogen can reduce UTIs in postmenopausal women by up to 75%,” she adds. “But you need to use it consistently for at least 12 weeks to see full results.”

6. Add probiotics to your diet

A review of studies found that adding probiotics to your diet is unlikely to help prevent UTIs — but it didn’t rule it out either. Probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut are good for your health in general, so it’s worth trying to work them into your diet.

7. Avoid bladder irritants

Certain foods and drinks (like carbonation, caffeine and alcohol) could irritate your bladder, making you feel like you have a UTI even if you don’t. But everyone’s triggers are different, so it can take some trial and error to figure out what yours are.

Don’t take UTIs lightly

If you get frequent UTIs, it might be tempting to try “natural” cures. But don’t fall for the marketing claims on the package — these products have no science to back them up.

“Trying to treat UTIs at home is risky, and you could end up with serious medical issues,” states Dr. Slopnick. “Play it safe and talk to your provider every time. They can help you determine the safest and most effective way to clear the infection and discuss the best ways to avoid them in the future.”