However, home remedies may help you find symptom relief while being treated and can help prevent future infections.

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1.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water can help flush harmful bacteria from your system.

person pouring glass of water

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Emptying your bladder every two to three hours may help prevent UTIs.

When combined with an increase in water consumption, frequent urination can help dilute and flush out harmful bacteria.

Eat Garlic

Garlic extract may be effective in reducing the bacteria that cause UTIs and potentially other microbial infections.

Monique Rainford, MD

Urinate After Sex

During intercourse, bacteria can be pushed into the femaleurethraand irritate it.

Urinating after sex helps push out this potentially harmful bacteria.

Take a Probiotic

Probiotics support the existence of healthy bacteria in your digestive system.

Your healthcare provider can help you evaluate your options and their impact on your risk of UTIs.

Try Vaginal Estrogen

Studies have shown that vaginalestrogenis effective in preventing UTIs in postmenopausal women with recurring UTIs.

However, there is no evidence of a link between UTI risk and oral or systemic estrogen therapy.

Contact your healthcare provider to determine whether this therapy may be appropriate.

Take Vitamin C

Boost yourvitamin Cintake through diet or supplements to increase the acidic content of your urine.

This can interfere with the growth of bacteria in your urine.

Treatments typically involve antibiotics that provide instant UTI relief within a day or two.

These drugs also prevent the spread of infection into your kidneys and the rest of your body.

The specific medication used depends on the key in of infection present and your risk for potential complications.

Complicated UTIs involve people who areimmunocompromised, male, older, pregnant, or havecathetersor compromised kidney function.

You must complete the entire course of treatment as prescribed, even if symptoms subside.

This helps prevent reinfection.

Complicated UTIs can be treated with a wide range of antibiotics.

Things to Avoid

Avoiding the following behaviors can support UTI treatment and recovery.

While amild UTI may not need treatment, painful symptoms can make it hard to wait it out.

Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for UTIs.

They often provide urgent UTI relief within a day or two.

However, home treatments can also cause a delay in healing and increase your risk of severe problems.

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