While antibiotics are the main treatment for UTIS, home remedies can help relieve symptoms and prevent recurring infections. Our tips include staying hydrated, urinating when necessary, and drinking cranberry juice.
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A quick look at UTI treatments without antibiotics
For reducing bacterial growth: UTIs and hydration
For releasing toxins: UTIs and urination
For a natural antibacterial drink: UTIs and cranberry juice
For lowering pH: UTIs and probiotics
For improving immune function: UTIs and vitamin C
For improving wiping technique: UTIs and wiping
For reducing microbial risks from sex: UTIs and sexual hygiene
Can you treat a UTI without antibiotics?
Research supports the use of some home remedies for UTIs. Some have been part of traditional medicine practices for thousands of years.
To treat a UTI without antibiotics, people can try these approaches.
Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water can help preventTrusted Source UTIs.
Water helps the urinary tract organs efficiently remove waste from the body while retaining vital nutrients and electrolytes.
Being hydrated also dilutes the urine and speeds its journey through the system, making it harder for bacteria to reach and infect the cells that line the urinary organs.
There is no set recommendation about how much water to drink daily — people’s needs differ. However, on average, adults should drink between six and eightTrusted Source 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
Urinate when the need arises
Frequent urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract.
It also reduces the time that bacteria in the urine are exposed to cells in the tract, limiting the risk of them attaching to and infecting these cells.
Urinating as soon as possible after the urge strikes can help preventTrusted Source and treat UTIs.
Drink cranberry juice
Cranberry juice is one of the most well-established natural treatments for UTIs. People also use it to clear other infections and speed wound recovery.
2020 research into the effectiveness of cranberries for UTIs has found it to be effective. However, its effectiveness may vary from person to person, and more research is needed regarding which type of cranberry product and which dose is most effective.
The authors write that cranberries contain polyphenols that may prevent Escherichia coli bacteria from attaching to cells in the urinary tract.
Cranberries also contain antioxidants with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory propertiesTrusted Source.
There is no set guidance about how much cranberry juice to drink for a UTI. To prevent them, a person might drink around 400 milliliters of at least 25% cranberry juice every day. However, more research is necessary to determine how much cranberry juice to drink for a UTI.
Use probiotics
Beneficial bacteria, called probiotics, can help keep the urinary tract healthy and free from harmful bacteria.
In particular, probiotics in the Lactobacillus group may help treat and prevent UTIs, according to some older 2017 research. They may do this by:
preventing harmful bacteria from attaching to urinary tract cells
producing hydrogen peroxide, a strong antibacterial agent, in urine
lowering urine’s pH, making conditions less favorable for bacteria
Also, people who take Lactobacillus supplements while they take antibiotics may have reduced antibiotic resistance.
Probiotics exist in several products that contain dairy, are fermented, or both, including:
yogurts
kefir
some types of cheese
sauerkraut
People can also take probiotic supplements, usually as capsules or a powder mixed into water or other beverages.
Get enough vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps improveTrusted Source immune system function.
It also reacts with nitrates in urine to form nitrogen oxides that can kill bacteria. It can lower the pH of urine, making it less likely that bacteria will survive.
However, little quality research indicates whether consuming more vitamin C can prevent or treat UTIs.
According to limited research, taking other supplements alongside vitamin C may maximize its benefits.
A 2021 review of natural remedies for UTIs stated that it could control the symptoms. Additionally, an older 2016 study examined data from 36 people with recurrent UTIs who took vitamin C, probiotics, and cranberry supplements three times a day for 20 days, then stopped for 10 days. They repeated this cycle for 3 months. The researchers concluded that this could be a safe, effective way to treat recurrent UTIs.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that females ages 19 and over consume at least 75 milligrams (mg)Trusted Source of vitamin C daily, while males need around 90 mg daily. Adults who smoke should take an additional 35 mg of the vitamin each day.
Wipe from front to back
UTIs can develop when bacteria from the rectum or feces accessTrusted Source the urethra. This small channel allows urine to flow out of the body.
Once bacteria are in the urethra, they can travel up into other urinary tract organs, where they can cause infections.
After urinating, wipe in a way that prevents bacteria from moving from the anus to the genitals. Use separate pieces of toilet paper to wipe the genitals and anus, for example.
Practice good sexual hygiene
Some sexual intercourse can introduceTrusted Source bacteria and other microbes into the urinary tract. Practicing good sexual hygiene can help to reduce this risk.
Examples of good sexual hygiene include:
urinating before and immediately after sex
using barrier contraception, such as a condom
washing the genitals, especially the foreskin, before and after engaging in sexual acts or intercourse
washing the genitals or changing condoms if switching from anal to vaginal sex
ensuring that all sexual partners are aware of any current or past UTIs
UTI supplement options
Comparison of UTI treatments
The following table compares the UTI treatments mentioned in this article.
| Method | How it works | |
|---|---|---|
| Drink water | drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day | hydration may make it harder for bacteria to infect the urinary tract |
| Urinate | urinate as soon as possible when the need arises | may help flush the bacteria from the urinary tract |
| Drink cranberry juice | around 400 milliliters of 25% cranberry juice | may prevent bacteria from attaching to cells in the urinary tract |
| Probiotics | consume probiotic food or supplements | may make the urinary tract less favorable for bacteria and produce antibacterial agents |
| Vitamin C | consume vitamin C supplements | may work alongside antibiotics to maximize their benefits |
| Wipe front to back | wipe from the urethra toward the anus | prevents feces from gaining access to the urethra |
| Sexual hygiene | • urinate before and after sex • use barrier contraception • wash genitals before and after sex • wash genitals and change condoms when switching from anal to vaginal sex • make sure all partners are aware of current and past UTIs | may help reduce the risk of UTIs |
UTIs and antibiotics
UTIs are among the most common bacterial infections in the United States. They are especially prevalent in females, with 2022 research showing that 40%Trusted Source of females will have one during their lifetimes. UTIs also tend to reoccur.
Antibiotics are the standard treatment for UTIs because they kill the bacteria responsible for the infections.
Most UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract from outside the body. The species most likely to cause UTIs include:
E. coli, which causes up to 90%Trusted Source of all bladder infections
Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus
Klebsiella pneumonia
Risks of using antibiotics
While antibiotics can usually treat UTIs quickly and effectively, they can cause allergic reactions and other adverse effects and complications.
For instance, older research suggests that about 22%Trusted Source of females receiving treatment for uncomplicated UTIs develop a Candida vaginal infection, a type of fungal infection.
Other potential side effects of antibiotics includeTrusted Source:
nausea and vomiting
diarrhea
a rash
yeast infection
More severe risks of using antibiotics include the following.
Creating stronger strains of bacteria
Over time, some species of bacteria have become resistant to traditional antibiotics. According to some research, several species of E. coli, the primary cause of UTIs, show increasing drug resistance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source writes that over- and misuse of antibiotics are causing increased resistance. People should only take antibiotics when necessary. They should not pressure a doctor into prescribing antibiotics if they are not necessary, such as for colds or flu.
If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, a person should take them exactly as they instruct.
Damaging helpful bacteria
The body contains populations of bacteria and other microorganisms that help with bodily functions. The CDCTrusted Source says that antibiotics may destroy some of these bacteria that help to protect people from infections.
When to contact a doctor
If a person suspects that they have a UTI, they should ask a healthcare professional for advice about the best way to treat it.
Antibiotics may not always be necessary, but it is still important to seek medical attention. This reduces the risk of developing a more severe infection that is harder to treat.
Frequently asked questions about home remedies for UTIs
What is the fastest way to clear up a UTI?
Antibiotics are effective treatments for UTIs. Sometimes, the body can resolve minor, uncomplicated UTIs without antibiotics.
According to research, antibiotics can clear up UTIs within three daysTrusted Source.
How can I treat my UTI myself?
People can treat UTIs themselves without antibiotics. People can try drinking cranberry juice, taking vitamin C supplements, or trying probiotics to prevent and reduce the reoccurrence of UTIs. People should be aware that they may still have a UTI even if their symptoms disappear.
However, most at-home treatments are more effective at preventing UTIs and may not eliminate the bacteria causing a current UTI.
A person should speak with a doctor about the best UTI treatment.
Will a UTI go away on its own?
SomeTrusted Source uncomplicated UTIs go away on their own without the use of antibiotics.
However, keep in mind that there are risks to leaving UTIs untreated, such as the infection spreading to other parts of the body.
What are three symptoms of a UTI?
Three common signs of a UTI areTrusted Source:
feeling the need to urinate frequently
pain while urinating
finding it difficult to urinate
Summary
Most people develop a UTI at some point, and these infections are more common in females.
Many UTIs go away on their own or with primary care. Researchers are increasingly looking for ways to treat and prevent UTIs without antibiotics.
Several long-standing home remedies may help prevent and treat these infections.
Anyone who may have a UTI should speak with a healthcare professional before trying to treat the infection themselves.
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