Bladder infections are the most common type of urinary tract infections for women.
If it burns when you pee, or you have urine that suddenly smells strong, is cloudy or pink in color, you likely have a bladder infection. That might cause you to wonder if there are natural cures for bladder infection.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is A Bladder Infection?
A urinary tract infection or UTI is when you suffer an infection in any part of your urinary system—which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.1
Bladder infections are the most common type of UTI:2
- It’s estimated that between 40 and 60 percent of women develop a UTI during their lifetime, and most of these infections are bladder infections.
- They can recur too: 1 in 4 women is likely to have a repeat infection.
A UTI is caused when bacteria enters your urinary tract through the urethra and spreads, usually into the bladder. One instance is when bacteria from feces enters the urethra.1 Women are more prone to UTIs because we have shorter urethras than men—so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach and infect the bladder. As well, the opening to our urethra is closer to the rectum, where the bacteria that cause bladder infections live.2
Do I Have A Bladder Infection?
Here are the most common signs that you may have a UTI:1
- a strong urge to pee
- a burning feeling when you pee
- peeing often, and passing small amounts
- pee that looks cloudy, or is colored red, pink or brownish
- strong-smelling pee
Specific to bladder infections, you may also feel pelvic pressure, lower belly discomfort, frequent and painful urination, and blood in your urine.1
Natural Cures For Bladder Infection
It’s best to see a doctor if you suspect you have a UTI, because serious health problems can result if it spreads to your kidneys.1
Otherwise, there are steps you can take to try and eliminate a UTI, or prevent UTIs. For instance, your body’s natural way to defend against infection in the urinary tract is by flushing bacteria out when you urinate. This one-way flow of urine helps to keep bacteria from infecting your urinary tract.2 So a natural cure for bladder infections is by drinking lots of water, and emptying your bladder when you have to pee. And don’t hold it in!3
It’s thought that cranberry juice may cure UTIs, but that’s not clear. Drinking cranberry juice may help prevent UTIs in some people. One study found that drinking fresh juices, especially berry juices, and fermented milk products containing probiotic bacteria was associated with a decreased risk of recurrence of UTI.4
Here are some other tips to cure or prevent bladder infections:
- Wipe from front to back after having a bowel movement, which avoids spreading bacteria to the urethra, and into the urinary tract.3
- Pee after sex, which washes away any harmful bacteria and prevents it from spreading.3
- Switch birth control if you have recurring UTIs. Spermicides, diaphragms, and condoms with spermicides may increase the likelihood of experiencing bladder infections.3
- Watch what you eat when you have a bladder infection. Some foods can irritate the bladder, like coffee, tea, soda and alcohol. The same may be true of acidic fruit and spicy foods, which could also irritate your bladder.
See A Doctor
If you suspect you have a UTI, it’s worth seeing a health care provider, since most require antibiotics to completely clear up. In particular, if you have a fever, chills, and/or nausea and vomiting, seek immediate medical attention.5 While some natural cures may ease symptoms, you want to prevent it from getting worse.Use our Physician Finder to find a doctor near you with expertise in women’s health who can help with your current and subsequent bladder infection. You can also seek guidance on other women’s pelvic health issues, like pelvic floor muscles exercises. Pelvic health is important, and there are tools available to help. The INNOVO Urinary Incontinence Kit helps you perform 180 perfect Kegels in 30 minutes. Subscribe to the INNOVO newsletter to receive a $20 discount code for your purchase.
