Eating plain yogurt containing live Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures may help control yeast. Soothing the pain. A heating pad or hot water bottle may ease minor discomfort. If you have more severe pain, your doctor may want to prescribe a drug called phenazopyridine. If you have three or more infections in a year, your doctor may suggest that you take low-dose antibiotics daily or after sexual intercourse as a preventive measure.
Some recurrent infections signal anatomical problems that can be corrected surgically.
Meanwhile, here are some simple steps you can follow to help keep urinary tract infections from returning. Flush out the bugs. Bacteria can flourish in concentrated urine. And although acidic beverages like cranberry juice can aggravate an existing infection, drinking them when you're healthy can actually help prevent a recurrence of the ailment by discouraging bacteria from clinging to the urinary tract lining. When you have to go, go.