Researchers estimate that nearly 60 percent of all women — more than half! — will experience a UTI at least once.
A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is an incredibly common ailment that afflicts millions of people, men and women, every single year. However, though UTIs can impact men and women, they're much more common in women.
That's why every woman should learn early on how to prevent a UTI, what puts her at risk for a UTI, and how to treat a UTI with home remedies.
These infections in the urinary tract are extremely irritating, but they are not usually dangerous. They're also remarkably simple to treat at home, if you are careful about what you put in your body.
Most mild UTIs can clear up using simple home remedies and no medication, as long as you are careful about staying hydrated, avoid irritating food and drink, and take in lots of healthy vitamins.
Scroll through below to learn the ins and outs of healing a UTI at home.
What Is A UTI?
UTI stands for urinary tract infection. It's a very common ailment that almost every woman (and many men) will experience at least once.
These infections are particularly common in women, and can involve the kidneys, bladder, and urethra.
The Mayo Clinic also notes, "A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra."
An infection that reaches the kidneys is generally more serious.
How Do You Get A UTI?
UTIs are so common in women because the female urethra is lot more exposed, and a lot more vulnerable to germs.
Most often, UTIs begin because some bacteria from the large intestine gets carried down from the anus to the urethra.
This can happen while wiping in the bathroom or from wearing tight jeans or thong underwear.
You may also get a UTI after sex, according to WebMD, because intercourse might introduce foreign bacteria to the urethra as well.
What Are Some Home Remedies For A UTI? Get Rid Of UTI #1: Chug Water
The first step to vanquishing a UTI is also a practical piece of advice for everyday life: drink lots of water.
You're supposed to drink about eight tall glasses of water a day, so try to up that considerably and drink water more or less continually.
According to WebMD, this flushes out the "pipes" of your urinary tract, and also encourages your body to pee frequently, excreting bacteria in the process.
Get Rid Of UTI #2: Snack On Citrus
Lots of people will tell you to reach right for the cranberry juice when you have a UTI. You may actually be better served to grab some of your favorite citrus fruit from the produce aisle.
Citrus fruits contain a lot of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. In moderation, this acid is great for UTIs because it makes your urine less acidic (a good thing if you are peeing frequently) and also inhibits growth of bacteria that are causing the infection in the first place.
Don't overdo on the citrus though; it might make your bladder irritated if you take in too much.
Get Rid Of UTI #3: Cut Out Irritants
If you tend to suffer from UTIs, you might be able to break the cycle by changing what you put in your body.
Cut out coffee, tea, and anything else caffeinated, because caffeine is a diuretic and makes water run through you very quickly.
Alcohol, even just one glass, can also irritate your bladder and increase the painful symptoms.
Get Rid Of UTI #4: Just Keep Peeing
One of the most irritating symptoms of UTI is the constant urge to go, and the feeling that you haven't emptied yourself out completely.
Even though the sensation is annoying, you should go to the bathroom every single time you feel the urge, and do your best to empty your bladder as much as possible.
Peeing often helps to clear the bacterial growth in the urethra and encourage the body to flush out the illness.
Get Rid Of UTI #5: Drink Cranberry, In Moderation
Cranberry juice and cranberry pills are some of the most vaunted home remedies for UTI, but be aware, your mileage may vary.
Some people report that the antioxidants and vitamins in unsweetened cranberry juice help to eradicate their symptoms fast, but the research on the topic is inconclusive.
Meanwhile, lots of people make the mistake of drinking cranberry cocktail or sweetened cranberry juice. These sugary beverages just feed the bacteria and make things worse.
Get Rid Of UTI #6: Know When To See A Doctor
Home remedies are often enough to treat a low-level UTI, but if your symptoms persist, you need to schedule an appointment with your PCP.
If the symptoms last more than a week, or if they get worse, you need to see a doctor.
Blood in your urine and intense cramps in your back, along with normal UTI symptoms, may indicate that the infection has spread to your kidneys, and needs more extensive treatment.
Do you have a home remedy you swear by? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to SHARE these tips with all the women you know.
