Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to Treat It at HomeDrink Plenty of WaterTry D-MannoseDrink Cranberry JuiceTry a ProbioticAvoid Certain FoodsWipe From Front to BackConsider Switching Birth ControlTry Vaginal EstrogenManaging SymptomsIf UTI Is Not Improving
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When to Treat It at Home
Drink Plenty of Water
Try D-Mannose
Drink Cranberry Juice
Try a Probiotic
Avoid Certain Foods
Wipe From Front to Back
Consider Switching Birth Control
Try Vaginal Estrogen
Managing Symptoms
If UTI Is Not Improving
Urinary tract infections(UTIs) are a common type of bladder infection that often require antibiotic treatment. That said, mild or occasional UTIs can go away on their own.
You may wish to try some remedies for UTI treatment at home, such as nutrients and probiotics, to relieve symptoms and potentially help support your body’s ability to fight infection and prevent new infections.
While at-home treatments may help with mild cases, you should call your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist or worsen.
Yuliya Shauerman/ Getty Images
When to Treat a UTI at Home vs. With Antibiotics
Some studies have shown that in healthy individuals who don’t experience chronic or recurring UTIs, about 25% of those mild infections may clear without antibiotics.
If your infection does clear on its own, studies have shown that most symptoms improve in the first nine days.
However, experts still typically recommend antibiotic treatment because of the possible risks of not treating a UTI. This may include the infection spreading to other body parts, like the kidneys or the bloodstream, which is rare but can be life-threatening.
While some people with a mild UTI may choose to try at-home remedies, others may be at greater risk of the UTI developing into a severe infection. Experts often strongly recommend getting antibiotictreatmentif you:
If you’re unsure whether you should treat a potential UTI at home or with medical care, check with a healthcare provider to ensure you’re taking the best course of action for your health.
There aren’t any over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that are proven to cure a UTI. However, there are some at-home strategies you may consider to help relieve symptoms and potentially help your body fight the infection and prevent new infections. Try at-home treatments, such as the following.
Water helps flush harmful bacteria out of your system and may help the body fight an infection. Be sure to drink at least eight glasses ofwaterdaily and include foods with a high water count, likewatermelon, soup, oranges, and lettuce.
Urinating when you feel the urge to pee or emptying your bladder every couple of hours is also recommended. This assists with flushing out the urinary tract system.
How Long Does a UTI Last?
D-mannoseis a type of sugar found in some foods like cranberries and tomatoes. It’s also available in supplement form.
Studies are conflicting on whether D-mannose can treat or prevent UTIs. A study in 2022 found that D-mannose helps to prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining.However, a 2024 randomized clinical trial of 598 women with recurring UTIs found no benefit of using D-mannose for preventing UTIs.As of now, there are no specific guidelines for taking D-mannose for UTIs.
Scientific evidence oncranberry juicefor UTI support is mixed. While unsweetened cranberry juice and cranberry pills have been shown to potentially decrease the risk of getting a UTI, more research is needed around precisely how long they need to be taken and in what amounts to achieve these positive effects.
Some foods may irritate your bladder and urinary tract, such as:
When using the bathroom, the best way to prevent spreading even more harmful bacteria from the anus to theurethrais to wipe toilet paper from front to back instead of vice versa. This may be helpful when trying to clear an existing mild infection.
Some studies suggest that certainoral contraceptivesmay increase the risk for UTIs, including unlubricated condoms, spermicides, and diaphragms.Check with a healthcare provider before changing any birth control or medication you’re taking.
This tactic is sometimes recommended in postmenopausal people with recurrent UTIs. Ask a healthcare provider whether vaginalestrogenin a cream, tablet, or ring may suit you.Vaginal estrogen can help increase good bacteria to prevent infection.
Other Tips to Manage Symptoms
In addition to using home remedies to support urinary tract health, experts suggest a couple of tactics for managing and alleviating painful UTI symptoms at home. These include:
While these strategies may help provide some relief, they aren’t proven to treat the bacterial infection.
How to Sleep With UTI Discomfort: Home Remedies and Treatments
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you’ve tried at-home remedies without success, seek medical attention. This is particularly important if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, which may be a sign of a possible kidney infection or another health issue:
Antibiotic treatment for UTIs can start clearing infections within a couple of days.
Summary
Antibiotics are commonly used to cure UTIs. But for people with mild symptoms or uncomplicated infections, it may be appropriate to first try at-home remedies.
Strategies to reduce the likelihood of infections or help them to improve include drinking more water, using vaginal estrogens (if you are past menopause), and urinating often to help flush the infection from your system.
If nothing helps, consult with a healthcare provider about antibiotics and the safety of self-care practices in the future.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mody L, Juthani-Mehta M.Urinary tract infections in older women: a clinical review.JAMA. 2014;311(8):844. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.303Hoffmann T, Peiris R, Mar CD, Cleo G, Glasziou P.Natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection without antibiotics: a systematic review.Br J Gen Pract.2020 Oct 1;70(699):e714-e722. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712781Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Wagenlehner FME, Bjerklund Johansen TE, Cai T, et al.Epidemiology, definition and treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.Nat Rev Urol. 2020 Oct;17(10):586-600. doi:10.1038/s41585-020-0362-4National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.Wagenlehner F, Lorenz H, Ewald O, Gerke P.Why d-mannose may be as efficient as antibiotics in the treatment of acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections—preliminary considerations and conclusions from a non-interventional study.Antibiotics. 2022;11(3):314. doi:10.3390/antibiotics11030314Hayward G, Mort S, Hay AD, et al.D-mannose for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection among women: a randomized clinical trial.JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(6):619. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0264Ala-Jaakkola R, Laitila A, Ouwehand AC, Lehtoranta L.Role of D-mannose in urinary tract infections – a narrative review.Nutr J. 2022;21(1):18. doi:10.1186/s12937-022-00769-xOffice on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.Akgül T, Karakan T.The role of probiotics in women with recurrent urinary tract infections.Turk J Urol. 2018 Sep;44(5):377-383. doi:10.5152/tud.2018.48742National Association for Continence.Diet tips for incontinence.Anger J et al..Recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline.J Urol. 2019 Aug;202(2):282-289. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000000296American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection in women - self-care.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mody L, Juthani-Mehta M.Urinary tract infections in older women: a clinical review.JAMA. 2014;311(8):844. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.303Hoffmann T, Peiris R, Mar CD, Cleo G, Glasziou P.Natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection without antibiotics: a systematic review.Br J Gen Pract.2020 Oct 1;70(699):e714-e722. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712781Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Wagenlehner FME, Bjerklund Johansen TE, Cai T, et al.Epidemiology, definition and treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.Nat Rev Urol. 2020 Oct;17(10):586-600. doi:10.1038/s41585-020-0362-4National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.Wagenlehner F, Lorenz H, Ewald O, Gerke P.Why d-mannose may be as efficient as antibiotics in the treatment of acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections—preliminary considerations and conclusions from a non-interventional study.Antibiotics. 2022;11(3):314. doi:10.3390/antibiotics11030314Hayward G, Mort S, Hay AD, et al.D-mannose for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection among women: a randomized clinical trial.JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(6):619. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0264Ala-Jaakkola R, Laitila A, Ouwehand AC, Lehtoranta L.Role of D-mannose in urinary tract infections – a narrative review.Nutr J. 2022;21(1):18. doi:10.1186/s12937-022-00769-xOffice on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.Akgül T, Karakan T.The role of probiotics in women with recurrent urinary tract infections.Turk J Urol. 2018 Sep;44(5):377-383. doi:10.5152/tud.2018.48742National Association for Continence.Diet tips for incontinence.Anger J et al..Recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline.J Urol. 2019 Aug;202(2):282-289. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000000296American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection in women - self-care.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mody L, Juthani-Mehta M.Urinary tract infections in older women: a clinical review.JAMA. 2014;311(8):844. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.303Hoffmann T, Peiris R, Mar CD, Cleo G, Glasziou P.Natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection without antibiotics: a systematic review.Br J Gen Pract.2020 Oct 1;70(699):e714-e722. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712781Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Wagenlehner FME, Bjerklund Johansen TE, Cai T, et al.Epidemiology, definition and treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.Nat Rev Urol. 2020 Oct;17(10):586-600. doi:10.1038/s41585-020-0362-4National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.Wagenlehner F, Lorenz H, Ewald O, Gerke P.Why d-mannose may be as efficient as antibiotics in the treatment of acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections—preliminary considerations and conclusions from a non-interventional study.Antibiotics. 2022;11(3):314. doi:10.3390/antibiotics11030314Hayward G, Mort S, Hay AD, et al.D-mannose for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection among women: a randomized clinical trial.JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(6):619. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0264Ala-Jaakkola R, Laitila A, Ouwehand AC, Lehtoranta L.Role of D-mannose in urinary tract infections – a narrative review.Nutr J. 2022;21(1):18. doi:10.1186/s12937-022-00769-xOffice on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.Akgül T, Karakan T.The role of probiotics in women with recurrent urinary tract infections.Turk J Urol. 2018 Sep;44(5):377-383. doi:10.5152/tud.2018.48742National Association for Continence.Diet tips for incontinence.Anger J et al..Recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline.J Urol. 2019 Aug;202(2):282-289. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000000296American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection in women - self-care.
Mody L, Juthani-Mehta M.Urinary tract infections in older women: a clinical review.JAMA. 2014;311(8):844. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.303
Hoffmann T, Peiris R, Mar CD, Cleo G, Glasziou P.Natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection without antibiotics: a systematic review.Br J Gen Pract.2020 Oct 1;70(699):e714-e722. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X712781
Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Wagenlehner FME, Bjerklund Johansen TE, Cai T, et al.Epidemiology, definition and treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.Nat Rev Urol. 2020 Oct;17(10):586-600. doi:10.1038/s41585-020-0362-4
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.
Wagenlehner F, Lorenz H, Ewald O, Gerke P.Why d-mannose may be as efficient as antibiotics in the treatment of acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections—preliminary considerations and conclusions from a non-interventional study.Antibiotics. 2022;11(3):314. doi:10.3390/antibiotics11030314
Hayward G, Mort S, Hay AD, et al.D-mannose for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection among women: a randomized clinical trial.JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(6):619. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0264
Ala-Jaakkola R, Laitila A, Ouwehand AC, Lehtoranta L.Role of D-mannose in urinary tract infections – a narrative review.Nutr J. 2022;21(1):18. doi:10.1186/s12937-022-00769-x
Akgül T, Karakan T.The role of probiotics in women with recurrent urinary tract infections.Turk J Urol. 2018 Sep;44(5):377-383. doi:10.5152/tud.2018.48742
National Association for Continence.Diet tips for incontinence.
Anger J et al..Recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline.J Urol. 2019 Aug;202(2):282-289. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000000296
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.
MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection in women - self-care.
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