Can You Treat a UTI Without Antibiotics? 7 Home Remedies

7 Ways to Treat a UTI without Antibiotics
Bacteria cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), so doctors usually treat them with antibiotics. Other tips for managing UTIs include staying hydrated, urinating when necessary, and trying cranberry juice and probiotics.
People often want to know whether there are non-antibiotic treatments for UTIs. Below, we explore seven evidence-based home remedies for these infections.
UTIs are among the most common bacterial infections in the United States. They are especially prevalent in females, with 2022 research showing that 40% 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:
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.
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 CDC says that antibiotics may destroy some of these bacteria that help to protect people from infections.
1. Stay hydrated
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 eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
2. 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 prevent and treat UTIs.
3. 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 preventEscherichia coli bacteria from attaching to cells in the urinary tract.
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.
4. 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:
5. Get enough vitamin C
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) 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.
6. Wipe from front to back
UTIs can develop when bacteria from the rectum or feces access 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.
7. Practice good sexual hygiene
Some sexual intercourse can introduce bacteria and other microbes into the urinary tract. Practicing good sexual hygiene can help to reduce this risk.
UTI supplement options
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
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about treating UTIs.
Can I treat a UTI without antibiotics?
Yes, people can treat a UTI without antibiotics, and sometimes UTIs go away on their own. However, most at-home treatments are most effective at preventing UTIs and may not get rid of the bacteria causing a current UTI.
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 go away.
A person should speak with a doctor about the best UTI treatment for them.
Can UTIs go away on their own?
Some 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 happens if a UTI is left untreated?
Going without medical treatment does carry some risks. For example, nearly 25% of sepsis cases originate in the urogenital tract.
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