Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections in women. UTIs can occur in any part of the urinary system, but the bladder and urethra are the most common sites of infection. In some cases, the infection can spread to the kidneys and cause severe infections. UTIs are quite common amongst women, with approximately 50% of women experiencing them in their lifetime, and at least 150 million women experiencing them each year. However, 40% of women will have recurrent UTIs.

UTIs can be excruciatingly painful, irritating, and can have a significant negative impact on women's lives. Some women can even experience cyclical UTIs with their menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection include:

Increased frequency of urination
Strong and persistent urge to empty the bladder
Pain with urination
Cloudy urine
Red tinge or blood in the urine
Pain in the bladder, groin, pelvis, lower abdomen and/or lower back pain
Fatigue or malaise
Fever
Searing/burning pain.

What causes a UTI?

Causes of UTIs can include an overgrowth of E. coli, impaired immune function, sexual intercourse, poor hygiene, use of feminine hygiene soaps that disrupt the delicate pH balance of the vagina, spermicides, and overuse of antibiotics. Ironically, the usual treatment for UTIs is antibiotics, but antibiotic resistance is a huge problem for women who experience UTIs, and it does not prevent future infections. This overgrowth requires a very specific antibiotic to kill it. Often women are prescribed with broad-spectrum antibiotics for their UTIs which are ineffective in treating E. coli overgrowth and will often cause the bacteria to become antibiotic resistant.

It is recommended that women seeking treatment for their UTIs have their urine cultured first. This is important to confirm a diagnosis of UTI as some women may have cystitis. Cystitis is inflammation/irritation of the bladder lining as opposed to infection. Often, UTIs and cystitis can go hand in hand, with one causing the other, and chronic cystitis can certainly be from an infectious cause. If there are no bacteria present in a urine sample, the symptoms are likely being caused by irritation and inflammation, i.e., cystitis. Urine cultures are also important for determining the type of bacteria present so that a woman can be prescribed the correct antibiotic for those bacteria. However, caution should be taken for women experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections as frequent/repetitive antibiotic use can be very damaging to the gut and vaginal micro flora. Overall, recurrent antibiotic use is not a viable treatment option for UTIs long-term.

How to avoid a Urinary tract infection:

To avoid a UTI, you can take measures such as avoiding wiping from back to front, urinating immediately after sexual intercourse, hydrating well with lots of filtered water, avoiding using spermicides, vaginal douches, soaps, and detergents as these will disrupt the delicate pH balance of the vagina. You can also supplement with good quality Vitamin C and take D-Mannose for treatment and prevention.

What are some alternatives to antibiotics for the treatment of UTI’s?

Take an inside out approach by ensuring you have really good gut function – so much of our immune system is mediated within the gut, which will affect bladder function as well.

Drink plenty of filtered water
Consume a whole foods diet
Decrease sugar intake
Eliminate pro-inflammatory foods
Increase your uptake of alkalising foods by eating lots of green vegetables. You can also try a superfoods green powder in a smoothie

Coconut oil as a topical treatment around the opening of the vagina and bladder, will help decrease symptoms of pain and burning. This can also be used internally within the lining of the vagina as well. Coconut oil is anti microbial and will have a very soothing effect on the area, and you should notice a change in symptoms fairly quickly. Please be aware that the vagina has high absorbability, so your coconut oil should be: organic, extra virgin, cold pressed.

Coconut oil can also be used as a lubricant – please be mindful of your contraceptive choices as oil based lubricants are often not suitable to be used with condoms.

A garlic clove suppository can be great for the immune system. This is traditionally used to help with thrush and candida overgrowth as it is a very powerful antibacterial agent. Probiotics are a great way to restore good bacteria, I suggest tripling your daily dose of these, you need a therapeutic dose for it to have an effect. Probiotics can also be used as a suppository, this helps to replace all of the good bugs in the vaginal canal and to create a natural balance, it can also have a very soothing effect.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is also a great antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal agent. ACV can be taken orally, I suggest 30ml first thing in the morning, you can also bathe in it – diluted of course, pour about 1 cup into a full bath. You can also put ACV onto a cotton ball and dab the area, as it is undiluted it will burn initially, but after about 20 seconds it should feel quite relieving.

Most women would have heard that cranberry juice is great for a UTI, however, it MUST BE pure, natural, 100% unsweetened Cranberry juice, this can be found in most health food stores and is quite unpalatable. Most cranberry juices found at the supermarket are unsuitable, due to their high sugar content. The real effect of “cranberry juice” comes from D-Mannose, you can read more about the positive effects of D-Mannose supplementation here. My #1 recommendation for urinary tract infections caused by E.Coli overgrowth is D-Mannose supplementation.

Do you know someone who suffers from recurrent UTI's?

Make sure you share this information with them!

UNTIL NEXT TIME, BE WELL

YOURS IN GREAT HEALTH,

References

Scribano, D., Sarshar, M., Prezioso, C., & et al. 2020. d-mannose treatment neither affects uropathogenic escherichia coli properties nor induces stable FimH modifications. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 25(2), 316. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25020316
Porru, D., Parmigiani, A., Tinelli, C., Barletta, D., Choussos, D., Di Franco, C., Bobbi, V., Bassi, S., Miller, O., Gardella, B., Nappi, R., Spinillo, A., & Rovereto, B. (2014). Oral D-mannose in recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a pilot study. Journal of Clinical Urology, 7(3), 208–213. https://doi.org/10.1177/2051415813518332

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: Causes, Symptoms and Natural Treatments