How to Get Relief from a UTI

If you’re experiencing discomfort when you pee, you’re not alone. You might be dealing with a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are quite common, especially among women. According to the Kidney Foundation, Canadian women make 500,000 doctor visits each year because of UTIs.

Luckily, there are many treatment options and ways to alleviate symptoms, from natural to medical. UTIs may go away on their own, but if not and left untreated, the infection can spread to your kidneys and cause lasting damage. Taking action now is a smart move for your health and well-being in the long term. 

In this blog, we cover the ways to relieve your UTI symptoms so you can get better faster. 

What is a UTI?

The urinary tract is a system that includes your bladder and kidneys and is responsible for making urine and funnelling it out of your body. A UTI occurs when bacteria or, less often, fungi slip into the system, usually through the urethra and into the bladder, causing an infection. UTIs are often called bladder infections since that’s where most infections occur.

What causes a UTI, and why are they more common in women? 

You’re probably wondering: How do bacteria get into the urinary tract? Typically, it comes from stool and gets inside the body through your urethra; things that block or irritate the urinary tract can cause a UTI.

Other factors can increase the risk of a UTI, such as:

• Urinary obstruction from stones, an enlarged prostate, or some cancers.
• Certain health conditions that increase the risk of infections, such as diabetes or pregnancy.
• A weakened immune system.

It is estimated that women are at 30% greater risk for UTIs. This is because the urethra is shorter in length, making for a shorter distance for bacteria to get inside the urinary tract from the outside. The urethra and anus are in closer proximity, making it easy for bacteria on the surface of the skin from stool to make its way to the urethra.

There are some activities that can increase the risks of getting a UTI:

• During sex, easy for bacteria to move around the genital area due to the mechanics of the activity. Oral sex can also introduce bacteria into the urethra. Peeing after sex may help reduce this risk of infection.
• Spermicide use or using condoms coated in spermicide can alter the normal protective flora of the vagina.
• Diaphragm use can put pressure on the urethra, reduce emptying of the bladder, and increase the risk of infection.
• Reduced estrogen levels in menopause can alter the vaginal microbiome, increasing one’s risk of infection. 

How is a UTI diagnosed?

If you have a UTI, visit a healthcare provider. They will ask you to do a urine test, to look for signs of an infection (things like bacteria or white blood cells). Your healthcare provider will also send a urine sample to a lab for culture, to identify the type of bacteria causing the UTI to be able to prescribe the best antibiotic for you. 

Common symptoms of a UTI

The most common symptom of a UTI is pain or burning when peeing. You may also have frequent urges to pee yet only pass small amounts each time. Other signs include cloudy urine or urine with a red or pink tint and pain in your pelvic region (the area just above the pubic bone).

Symptoms of a worsening UTI potentially involving the kidneys can include:

• Fever 
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chills
• Flank pain (the areas on either side of your back just below the ribs)

When a UTI involves the kidneys, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream leading to a serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as urosepsis. Identifying symptoms of UTIs early can help prevent more severe illness. 

Home remedies for UTI relief

One of the best things you can do when fighting an infection is sleep and give your body time to heal — but there’s a catch: Symptoms, like a constant urge to pee or pelvic pain, can make sleep difficult.

Here’s what can help soothe your symptoms:

• Drink more water: This can help flush out the bacteria and clear up the infection. The exact amount will differ between people, and some health conditions (like chronic kidney disease or heart failure, for example) may restrict how much fluid one can consume in a day. 
• Avoid alcohol, coffee and pop that contain caffeine and/or citrus juice: they can irritate your bladder, contribute to dehydration, and intensify the urge to urinate.
• Avoid drinking a lot of fluids before bed, so you’re less likely to need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Drink cranberry juice: while most studies show that cranberry juice can prevent UTIs for some people, people anecdotally note that it can help speed up their healing with treatment.
• Use a hot water bottle or heating pad on your pelvis or abdomen, which increases blood flow and can help reduce aches. 
• Wear loose, breathable clothes to help keep the area dry and reduce irritation since tight and restricted ones can rub against your urethra and worsen irritation.
• Change your sanitary pads or tampons regularly to help keep the area dry. 
• Talk to your doctor about antibiotics, pain medication, or other treatment options.

Medical treatments for UTI relief

Although home remedies may help soothe UTI symptoms, they’re unlikely to cure it on their own. Antibiotics are typically needed to aid in the process.

The type of antibiotic your doctor prescribes will depend on the type of bacteria in your urine. Healthcare providers typically recommend a treatment that takes no more than a week to finish. It is imperative to complete the antibiotic as prescribed, even if you start to feel better, before completing the full course to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance (which occurs when the infection resists the antibiotic, causing it to be ineffective).

While over-the-counter treatment options are available, doctors don’t usually recommend them — UTIs that aren’t properly treated can cause the bacteria to spread to the kidneys and potentially to the entire body, which could lead to a potentially fatal infection.

If you experience chronic UTIs, a new effective treatment may be on the horizon. As of 2023, a UTI vaccine has been awaiting approval by Health Canada. It could take up to two years to be approved, but it’s a promising treatment option for people with recurrent UTIs.

Preventive measures for UTIs

The good news is that UTIs can be prevented — the key is to reduce the opportunities for bacteria to sneak inside the urethra. It’s widely known to wipe front to back to prevent introducing bacteria from the anus to the urethra, but old studies haven’t proven this to be true. Here’s what you can do:

• Drink plenty of water so you are emptying your bladder every few hours.
• Empty your bladder after sexual activity.
• Practice good hygiene. 
• Take showers instead of baths.
• Avoid potentially irritating products in the genital area.
• Change sanitary pads and tampons regularly to help keep the area dry.
• Wear breathable fabrics like cotton and loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink cranberry juice or supplement with cranberry. A chemical naturally found in cranberry helps prevent the bacteria from attaching to the inside of the urinary tract, preventing it from causing infection. 

When to seek medical help

As mentioned, home remedies may help soothe symptoms, but you’ll likely need an antibiotic to fully cure the infection.

If your symptoms persist beyond a few days or you have blood in your urine, visit your doctor or a walk-in clinic for a prescription and you’ll likely feel better within just a few days. If you experience more severe symptoms such as fever or vomiting, visit a doctor immediately, as that may be a sign the infection has spread to your kidneys.

If you’re having trouble dealing with the pain and thinking about travelling to your doctor sounds unappealing, primary care providers on Maple can help. Doctors and nurse practitioners are available 24/7/365 to connect with you in minutes over secure text, audio, or video call within minutes, so you can get sorted with what you need. They can talk to you about any symptoms you may have, offer advice on how to manage symptoms and prevent recurrent or future UTIs.

Remember, while home remedies can help ease symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your UTI. Timely intervention with antibiotics is often necessary to ensure a full recovery and prevent the infection from spreading to your kidneys.

By following preventive measures, such as staying hydrated and practicing good hygiene, you can reduce the risk of recurring infections. 

The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional. Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulty breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.