Some of us are prone to urinary tract infections or cystitis. It really stinks. You feel like you are going to die from the pain, and then you have to go sit in the emergency room or urgent care (because the symptoms always become acute at night, usually headed into a long weekend when the doctor is far away).
Then when you finally have the antibiotics in your hot little hand, it's quite possible that they make you feel sick as well, and you have to recover from them.
I have discovered a way to treat a UTI without antibiotics. I will tell you exactly how, and then I will give you the reasons you might be having a recurring problem.
The list is towards the end of this post if you already know the details of this sickness. I wanted to put everything in one place for the sake of the collective memory (and really for my own reference as well), so this post is quite detailed.
But first I want to say that if you have pain in your side or back, which is where your kidneys are, high fever and chills, vomiting, and/or nausea , you do need to go to the doctor. If the UTI goes back into your kidneys you don't want to do damage and end up in the hospital for a long time, so do pay attention to that.
Also, of course, I'm not a doctor! Or a nurse or anything at all.
But I have had a lot of these infections and I got sick and tired — and scared! — of taking so many antibiotics.
In my experience, a UTI makes me feel wretched and causes a LOT of pain, but I don't get a fever (or it's just a low-grade one). You might get a higher fever, because everyone is different, but if you have the other symptoms of a kidney infection, you need to see the doctor.
Burning, urinary frequency, the urge to urinate but passing only small amounts, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, a certain smell, pain in the pelvis — these are the symptoms of a UTI. It's debilitating and makes you panic.
The antibiotic will usually take care of the bacteria, true. If it is an infection, that is. It could also be inflammation and irritation that may or may not develop into a UTI — and so all the more reason to be wary, because of course, we all should be taking fewer antibiotics!
So if given the choice between taking antibiotics and not taking them, with the same outcome, of course we prefer not to take them. (I have also noticed that sometimes a rather weak antibiotic is prescribed, which lends credence to my theory and experience that it can be cured without one at all.)
But even if you want meds, it's not so easy, is it!
If you have this problem, you know the drill — you painfully drive yourself to the office or ER and that takes hours, all while you feel like the fires of Hades are in your nether parts.
You get the dip test, it comes back positive, they send the culture out for further tests to match with the kind of bacteria you have (more than 90% sure it's E. coli however), and meanwhile you go on the antibiotic which may or may not be the right one.
I'm allergic to penicillin so that whole category is out. That means they give me Cipro, which has disturbing side effects.
Plus, UTIs end up scarring the tissue in your urethra, so you are only more prone to them as time goes by, increasing your dependency on antibiotics. This is so unfair.
Now that I am part of a cost-sharing plan, I have a further incentive, beyond not wasting time and agony sitting around waiting to be treated: I also don't want the people in my sharing plan to pay for those tests and that visit when I already know what is wrong with me. (Not that you aren't paying when you have insurance!)
Maybe if they just prescribed the only antibiotic I can take anyway over the phone, I wouldn't have been so motivated, but those days are gone, when the doctor would just help you without the insurance rigamarole. But then, so many courses of antibiotics… it's not good.
So I needed another way!
Try this treatment (with the caveats above!) — it has worked for me twice now, and both times I've been in extremis with awful pain and bloody urine.
Thanks to Suki telling me about it, I discovered that there is a sugar, D-Mannose, that has a molecular structure that bonds with E. coli, the bacteria most responsible for UTIs.
Thanks to Deirdre's midwife, Cindy, I found out about Marshmallow Root, which provides mucilage and soothes smooth muscle, including in the urinary tract.
You need to address the pain. One time I took ibuprofen only for the pain; this last time I also took AZO (or the generic equivalent). It turns your urine bright orange (and don't touch your contact lenses without washing your hands!) but it takes away the pain.
And that is the key!
Once you feel that the pain will be taken care of, you can do what needs to be done, which is to force liquids so that you can urinate copiously and wash away the bacteria that have bonded with the D-Mannose.
Non-antibiotic remedies for a UTI — in the foreground are the hibiscus and the spoon with the D-Mannose, which also comes in capsules. (That spoonful represents the very last bit I have of the powder; I found the capsules at a DNC while we were on the road. Next time I will pack the essentials so I don't have to search while in pain!) The tea in the box is hibiscus and rose hips, which I can often find at Marshall's.
In systematic form:
UTI Natural Treatment Protocol of Effectiveness:
Take the pain killers (affiliate link) according to the dosages. (This is not the natural part, but thank goodness for ibuprofen and AZO.)
D-Mannose. (affiliate link) This is a sugar, the molecular shape of which bonds with the bacteria. You don't need it in pill/capsule form — it's sweet! Just buy it as a powder and dissolve a teaspoon at a time in a small amount of warm water. It will work best if you give it a chance before diluting it in your bladder with all the fluids you are going to need to drink. So as soon as you are able, take that dose, then wait for about half an hour, then begin the super hydration.
Take one teaspoon about three times a day. You are aiming for 3 grams a day, so go by the amount per dosage listed on the container and spread it out over the day. It might have the effect of loosening your bowels; if so, cut back. It doesn't always, I have found.
Begin hydrating. Besides water, if you are not pregnant (especially the first trimester), also try hibiscus tea (called Kerkaday at Middle Eastern markets and Jamaica at Hispanic markets if you can find it in bulk — much cheaper that way). You can drink that cold, warm, or hot, and it's delicious. It is related to Marshmallow Root so may have the same effect on the mucus membranes — it's also just very healthy with plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants. Buying it in bulk is much cheaper than buying it as tea bags, and it usually comes as dried flowers, which are large and easy to brew.
You can drink your kombucha too. Just drink! Drink a lot*!
Midwife Cindy's colleague, an OB/GYN who has now retired, recommended that a UTI sufferer take a large container of water and a cup into a very warm bath. Cindy explains his thinking: you are afraid to pee because it hurts so much; the bath relaxes you, you can drink from your container (a pitcher with two quarts of water), you can pee in the bath, who cares.
I haven't done that but I have used a heating pad across my pelvis and my drink next to me so I force the fluids.*
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't force fluids beyond your capacity to take them in. Just focus on drinking enough to allow your bladder to fill and empty quickly. It is possible to overdo this step! You don't want to take in so much that you dilute your electrolytes and feel dizzy or faint, nor do you want to induce vomiting. Take in enough (say, a cup every 10 minutes for half an hour, and then as needed as you go forward) to pee, but not so much that you cause other problems! Common sense, my friends!
Marshmallow root. (affiliate link) This comes in capsules unless you grow your own or find it in bulk somewhere to make into tea. You need to take two capsules four times a day. That's a lot of swallowing! Keep at it. You can also drink Marshmallow root tea… It's possible to have an allergic reaction using Marshmallow root (in whatever form) and Hibiscus tea together, so use caution if you are doing that (it doesn't bother me, but I'd only do a little if I were not sure).
Plaintain. Helps with UTIs and is abundant in my yard — it's an invasive weed. You can gather the leaves and seed stalks and dry them. Be sure the area is free of chemical sprays and dog traffic! Add them to whatever herbal tea you are making (hibiscus, marshmallow root).
Vitamin B6. This can help with urination.
Mullein. (affiliate link) Last year I dried mullein from my yard. This plant, dried and made into a tea, helps with many infections, but it has many spiky fibers that you will need to strain out with a cloth so that you don't irritate your bladder and urethra. It's worth it, though, I think. I used mine all up defending against colds and my UTI last time; you can get by without it until you observe the plant in some weedy patch next year.
Raw honey. Real raw honey that hasn't been filtered has antibiotic properties. Take a teaspoon a couple times a day and also sweeten your hibiscus tea with it.
Propolis. This study shows that propolis (a substance made by bees and available in capsule form, although I am actively lobbying to collect our own) can help prevent the adhesion of E. coli in the urinary tract. (affiliate link)
This is mullein — it's a huge weed, easy to spot. Instead of paying out big bucks for it, just go yank it up when you see it, wash and dry the leaves, flowers, and roots, and make your own teas from it. Info is readily available online.
After you feel better, Cindy recommends continuing with the Marshmallow root for a few days.
I recommend having all these things on hand in your cupboard — and traveling with them as well, because it does take a bit of effort to round them up — at least carry the AZO, D-Mannose, and Marshmallow Root. Make yourself a UTI kit and keep it handy.
Another caution: Don't take too many capsules at once! It can be too hard on your stomach. Spread them out. If you start to feel like it's too much, just rest. The main thing is to overcome the pain and hydrate (although I've been so anxious to drink liquids that I've vomited from the sheer volume! It's hard not to over-compensate when you are feeling bad). Do your best and do talk to the doctor if things don't feel right.
My thought here is that it's worth a try. It's a lot cheaper than going to the doctor/ER and you can always go later (by which I mean in the morning when the doctor's office is open) if you need to.
For ongoing care to avoid UTIs/cystitis:
You can take the D-Mannose on a regular basis, maybe just a teaspoon a day. Mix it into your tea or coffee or take it with warm water. It works better if it can sit in your bladder, so take it at a time that you are not as well hydrated, say, first thing in the morning with your first cup of tea.
Be better about staying hydrated. Have a set amount that you will drink all day, or certain times that you stop and have some water, iced tea, or kombucha; don't let yourself feel parched; if you do feel parched, get a big drink right away — don't just continue feeling that way for an hour. I have looked back and realized I let my thirst get ahead of me.
Your urine needs to be a light yellow in the morning — you should barely see it. If it's dark, you are not drinking enough.
Urinate before and after intercourse and make sure you're hydrated.
Wipe front to back when you go to the bathroom. Don't wear undies that are made out of anything other than cotton in the crotch.
Don't use those menstruation cups that fit inside your vagina if you are prone to UTIs. The pressure of the rim of the cup presses against your urethra and can cause a backup of the bacteria that cause UTIs.
By the way, little girls can get UTIs too. I have a friend whose 10-year-old daughter was not doing well for days, acting listless and tired. She realized that the girl had a very low temperature when she finally thought to take it at different times of the day. The doctor was then called and the UTI diagnosed. Just something to have in the back of your mind… Children need to be reminded to drink at regular intervals too!
NB: I also want to say that the one thing you usually hear — drink cranberry juice — is not actually that effective or the best thing to do. It's not effective because the active ingredient that helps you (the D-Mannose) is too diluted in the juice. It's not the best because it's so acidic that it is going to inflame your urethra and/or bladder more, causing more difficulty.
I hope this information helps you! Do you have any ways you avoid a UTI without antibiotics? I'd love to know!
Emily says
Tazo has a great hibiscus tea that I like a lot! It also has rose hips in it, so extra vitamin C and beautifying properties for your skin! 🙂
Leila says
They do, but this is the VERY expensive way to get it. Even ordering it on amazon is very expensive. I try to find a place that sells hibiscus in bulk. When I visited Sukie in Houston, I realized that they were selling it in an open barrel in the grocery store for a few cents an ounce! That’s when I found out that they call it jamaica.
Erika Betenbough says
Can you take the Azo and marshmallow root the same time or within an hour or so?
Leila says
Yes, you can take them together.
The Messy Maker says
After my nine month old son had to be hospitalized for a UTI I learned that UTI’s are often undiagnosed in young children. I was completely shocked when he was diagnosed because his ONLY symptom was a fever and then after a couple days he started acting like he didn’t feel well, but at no time did he act like it hurt to pee. Just something to be aware of.
Barbara says
I have had chronic UTIs since I was 12. I blame a long road trip and no bathroom stops. Make sure if you travel to stop frequently. I’ve also been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis which mimics many of the UTI symptoms (so I have to assume it’s a UTI until a urinalysis and culture proves otherwise). If your symptoms don’t clear up be sure to follow up with the doctor.
Tia says
yes! This is absolutely a trigger for me.
Barbara says
The only thing I can add to your great list is an ice pack — very helpful for a burning urethra.
Suburbanp says
I use the D-Mannose whenever I feel the twinge of a UTI coming on. If it doesn’t work, our health sharing ministry gives us free access to one of the many doctors via app which are fantastic for UTIs. I get antibiotics about 2x per year with just a phone call- and I can tell them the kind that works best. Even if your insurance doesn’t cover it, the apps usually charge around $30/visit. Much cheaper than a trip to urgent care.
Leila says
Suburbanp — their access to docs by phone is so incredibly helpful! I don’t understand why normal GPs don’t offer such a service, at least to self-pay patients, but make their patients come in and wait forever.
Try my whole protocol next time, just as I say, and give it 24 hours. See if you don’t feel better!
Barbara says
I have a great relationship with my uro/gyn. While she does require a urinalysis and culture, I can go to any lab or her office and just drop it off without a visit (which is good because we have Obamacare — no coverage for anything until we hit that mammoth deductible).
Betsy says
I second the recommendation for the D-mannose powder. Very effective, taste is not offensive at all, and not expensive. Drinking lots of water and using D-mannose (along with ibuprofen and Azo/phenazopyridine for the pain) have healed several UTI’s for me over the years. Great blog post!
tara says
D-Mannose is indeed a godsend for the 90% of people who suffer from UTIs caused by e coli.
For the other 10% – like me – you can try a heaping teaspoon of cream of tartar in a big glass of water with fresh lemon juice or vitamin C. Others swear by Lauricidin or a similar supplement that contains monolaurin, which is a medium chain fatty acid derived from coconut oil – anti-bacterial anti-fungal etc…
I also rely on colloidal silver for a lot of the things that people usually take antibiotics for. It’s amazing stuff.
Martha. dailey says
Thank you for the heads up on uti problems. Very helpful
Liz says
I’ll never forget the doctor who looked at me sceptically and shrugged when I referred to the pain of a UTI. “Well….. discomfort”, he said. I almost kicked him.
This is really great advice. Thank you, Leila! XO
Leila says
Ugh, Liz, I just can’t.
I do think some women don’t have as much pain as others — I guess, from the accounts of “I kept going to work and putting off dealing with it” etc. But for me it escalates quickly from “hmm that seemed not comfortable” to “I AM GOING TO DIE AND NEED TO AMPUTATE MY BOTTOM RIGHT NOW” in a matter of a few hours. Any doctor who said that to me would get a poor response…
Thrift at Home says
Leila, the perfect description of the UTI pain I get!!!
Julie Prock says
I have just experienced my first uti and this was definitely my experience with the pain, so awful! Thank you for this information, so very helpful. I am also allergic to penicillin and am taking Cipro, hopefully I’ll never have to again. I also laughed really hard about sitting in a warm bath drinking and peeing!
Leila says
Julie, Cipro is a very strong antibiotic with severe side effects. It’s the reason I searched out this alternative protocol! See if it will work for you.
Dixie says
This is fascinating. Leila, do you know if these supplements are safe during pregnancy/breastfeeding?
BridgetAnn says
I was going to ask the same thing!
Thank you, Aunt Leila, for posting- with helpful details!- on an awkward topic.
Kate says
Double-check with a midwife, but I’m fairly certain that mullein is not safe for pregnancy. (Stinging) nettle is a good substitute.
Bethanne says
My midwife always suggested corn silk (literally the silks from a stalk of corn) to prevent UTI during pregnancy. I didn’t really believe it worked, but as soon as I stopped taking it, I immediately got a UTI.
Anamaria says
I know marshmallow root is for both- my midwife recommends it for congestion! (And recommend it early last pregnancy when the toddler was still nursing)
Evelyn says
repeating a little louder for the people in the back: Urinate AFTER intercourse!
Therese Cross says
Something else that can help to avoid UTI. There was a time when I was having UTI. After my third trip to the doctor he told me to stop using scented soaps and if I took baths to not soak; get in, wash, get out. If a hot soaking was needed after hard work in the yard; soak in hot water with no soap of any kind. I haven’t had a problem since and that was a number of years ago.
Carolyn says
I had the same problem. Once I switched to non irritating soaps and detergents, it was much better. I also had to stop using Always pads. They irritate me. I have only been able to use Stayfree unscented pads. I have not had a UTI in 8 years!
smita shah says
could you please tell which brand of the non-irritating soap you used? i have had uti 8 times this year only and am ready to try anything
Leila says
I don’t know which brand Carolyn uses, but start by eliminating soaps with fragrances and ones that claim to be antibacterial.
If you take a bath, don’t use bubble soap.
An OB told me (this was related more to yeast infection) not to wash the vulva — only the outside. Use clear water for the area within the labia.
Jo says
I had the same problem for years. And I agree with everything you’ve said here. One suggestion I’d like to add – I started taking Acidophilus (a probiotic) every day and have not had another uti for way over a year. I take it at night because my thinking is that it will stay in the urinary tract longer than during the day when you’re up and about. Just my thought.
Joan
Josefina Yanez says
Thanks for sharing, I am going to try Acidophilus but I am not sure which one to buy. would you mind sharing the brand?
jo says
I use Spring Valley brand because I can get it easily at Walmart. I did use a more expensive brand, but found this one worked for me just as well and it’s easier to find. Hope this helps!
Juliana @ Urban Simplicity says
Slightly tangential, but I have overactive bladder, and I’ve been taking Prelief for about a year now to help remove the acid from my food that irritates my bladder. (Cranberry juice aside, there are a lot of foods that can irritate the lining of your bladder and make you miserable). It does help, and is available from amazon. (It’s a supplement).
SusanEAC says
This is such a great post! I also had chronic UTIs and only Cipro helped which is not good. I haven’t had one for over a year now since the kidney stone was found. I have had two removed now, not a pleasant experience, and have since learned that some people have trouble metabolizing oaxalates which can combine with calcium in the body to form stones. Interestingly, excess oaxalates in the body can cause a lot of irritations including bladder pain and painful urination. So I now try to avoid spinach and chocolate and other foods that are high in oaxalates. I miss chocolate but not enough to risk more kidney stones!
A. says
I’ve had very good success with drinking Emergen-C (that powdery orange stuff in packets) when plagued with a couple bad UTIs years ago. The pain when urinating was lessened drastically within an hour after drinking water with Emergen-C at about double the normal strength. Now I wonder if it has D-mannose in it?? Thereafter if I felt on the verge of a UTI I’d pull out a few packets and use them throughout a day and steer clear of another infection easily. I haven’t had a UTI in 10 years since doing this!
Marta says
Totally agree about limiting antibiotics. Just had to mention, though, that it’s tricky with babies. Our 9 day old went from healthy to UTI to bacteremia to meningitis in 48 hrs and his only symptoms were sleepiness, refusing to nurse, and just seeing “off.” He recovered after 3 weeks in the hospital on central line antibiotics (spooky strong ones that carry a risk of deafness.) He is totally perfectly fine now, but we learned that he has a congenital malformation of his ureters called VUR which basically regurgitates urine back into his kidneys, putting him at risk for UTI’S. They expect him to outgrow it because his is minor. But my point is, always take in a newborn that won’t eat, or is feverish, or just very “off.” Mothers’ instincts are pretty good and a uti can be a symptom of a bigger problem.
Sarah says
Yes, newborns are a whole different ballgame and can go downhill very quickly. My youngest ended up with prophylactic antibiotics in the hospital, and on one level I wish he hadn’t, but on the other hand even I, who have had all my full-term babies at home, acknowledge that one of the big reasons there is less infant mortality from infectious disease today than in past centuries is that we have access from antibiotics when we need them.
Kate says
We’ve had successful treating UTIs in our family with straight, unsweetened cranberry juice and copious amounts of vitamin C. The cranberry juice is awful and hard to get down, but worth it. I’ve also found that a UTI tends to creep up when a person is dehydrated or so busy that one forgets to drink water regularly. Times of high sugar intake also spark episodes. In the last few years I’ve been drinking nettle tea (strongly brewed) everyday to keep my old kidneys healthy. I added a daily spoonful of coconut oil to my diet this year and that seems to keep things running smoothly as well.
Monet says
Thank you, Leila! I’ve just been battling C diff. for 6 months (brought on by antibiotics) and have been told never to take them again. I get UTI’s and have been living in dread about what to do when I get my next one. Thanks to you, I’ll be prepared.
Heidi says
A note for any expectant mother diagnosed with a GBS (Group B Strep) UTI from the urine sample at your first prenatal appointment:
– D-Mannose will (unfortunately!) NOT help you – it doesn’t bond with strep bacteria.
– You will likely be told both that you need antibiotics now (even though you quite likely have no UTI symptoms) and that you will need antibiotics during labor, months down the road.
– The reason for this is that GBS at UTI levels in urine means that GBS has already colonized significantly – its presence is already more extensive than a postive GBS swab at the end of pregnancy (which also means that tips for the GBS swab, like using hibiclens, won’t help much at this point). GBS could affect the placenta, and GBS can cause pre-term labor. The antibiotics now are to try to address that infection. Unfortunately, most pregnant women who take antibiotics for GBS during their first trimester will end up testing positive again at UTI levels by the end of pregnancy, so the antibiotics during labor are to protect the baby from possible exposure during delivery.
– Find one or more good probiotics to take for the rest of pregnancy & after delivery. L. reuteri is one strain that (taken by mouth) can help vaginal flora. Saccharomyces boulardii can help combat yeast overgrowth from antibiotics.
Mrs. Pickles says
I second the recommendation for probiotics for GBS. For nearly all my pregnancies I was diagnosed with GBS. During my most recent pregnancy, however, I tested negative towards the end. I had been consuming homemade kefir almost every single day of my pregnancy, and I am convinced that all the good bacteria killed off the bad.
Taryn B says
I wonder if I could use this protocol with my 7yo. She has had chronic constipation almost her whole life and with accidents in the panties comes many UTIs. I hate all the antibiotics. And it doesn’t hurt her to pee; the UTIs cause tummy aches, which is how we know it’s time to go in. We’re now working with a pediatric GI, but it would be good to have a natural UTI course while we’re figuring it all out.
Sarah says
Take a look at bedwettingandaccidents.com, the MOP protocol of Dr. Steve Hodges. I don’t endorse the Miralax use, as I feel other osmotic laxatives have a better safety profile, but I do think his method is worth checking out for kids with constipation and accidents, as a lot of people including some at Mayo seems to think it resolves these issues more rapidly and effectively than anything else. (spoiler: it does involve enemas)
Christina A says
There was a bit of info in Dr. Hodges’ book that has helped my daughters. He says that if girls pee with their knees close together, often they do not fully empty their bladder. This causes infection, as does constipation. My daughters struggle less with infection when they drop their pants all the way to their ankles and keep their knees widely apart, and when they’re not constipated.
Ginni says
Hi! My young daughter had chronic constipation, and eventually UTI’s as a result from what you described, with having accidents in her underpants, then e. coli from that. Our doctor promoted Miralax, and we used it for a year. I really felt that all the dietary changes and the Miralax still were effective. It was scary; she was so little, and we monitored everything, but she would continue to have problems. I took her off of the Miralax. I found a product called Pedialax in tablet form. They are made for children, they are chewable in strawberry flavor, and they have saline in them, which caused her to eventually “go.” That changed everything. We only use Pedialax tablets now when we really need it, and after all that time, the constipation resolved. In addition to the Pedialax we gave her water all through the morning up to 1 p.m.. After that I was mindful of bedtime at 8, so I did not encourage the increased water drinking. It can be hard to find in stores sometimes (they have an enema product, but it is not that) so I get mine on Amazon. I hope that this helps you!
Ginni says
“…all the dietary changes and the Miralax were ineffective.” I need to re-read what I write. (Cringing.)
Cami says
In case it wasn’t thought of yet, try taking constipated kiddos off all dairy for a month and increase water intake to see if anything changes. Constipation is a symptom my kids get from dairy. It came from my husband. He had the problem as a child but food sensitivities were never considered in the 80s and he has bad memories of long trips to the potty and yucky medicines. Poor guy. But I figured it out when my first two littles were toddlers and the pediatrician was pushing the bottles of whole milk after nursing concluded. The reason for whole milk is that the children need lots of fats for the brain. So rather than relying on a cow’s highly processed breastmilk to do that, we do lots of avocados, nuts, olives, coconut oil… plant fats! Everyone is much happier as a result! And the body feels cleaner too!
Sarah says
Hi Aunt Leila,
I had three uti in a year (late 30s) and asked the amazing breastfeeding md how to prevent and she told me that in my case, (this gets kind of woman to woman) intercourse was my main vector for bacteria. She advised that my husband and I both shower before- and I also shower after. It has been over two years of doing this (it is such a drag) and I have had no uti since. I am grateful for your tutorial to avoid antibiotics in the future – I can’t take penicillin either so I will try this if I need to next time. And I will share!
Leigh says
I finally realized this was the case for me too 😞 Taking D-Mannose afterward every time solved the problem, much to our relief!
Elizabeth S says
I’ve cured a UTI with garlic several times using this protocol: http://drmauramcgill.com/how-i-cured-an-uti-with-garlic/ There was blood in my urine and I was nervous, but the garlic and loads of water worked. However, the garlic is smelly and also a blood thinner, it’s not a great idea right before menstruation. Your plan sounds like fewer side effects than the garlic route!
(Also, I’ve experienced ovarian cysts that mimic the symptoms of a UTI – just something to be aware of.)
Alice Baldwin says
As a PA in a busy ER i understand the need / desire not to take antibiotics. I really do. But standard care is 3 uti’s in 5 yrs warrants a work up/ ultrasound to be assured there is no other /structural issue causing this. (especially important as we age and for kids-babies). That being said , and if negative work up, bubble baths, intercourse, the way one wipes can all be contributing factors. Lets treat wisely but not miss anything serious. 🙂
And thanks for the CD of the Ukranian Chanting. I won! I love it.
Leila M. Lawler says
Interestingly, Alice, even though I’ve had UTIs on and off for 40 years, and have always (until recently) gone to the doctor and gotten antibiotics AND the question “when was your last one” — it has never been suggested that I look into issues causing them.
Christina A says
Thanks for this post; needing the tips today! A friend of mine who is a mom of 6 recently found out that the combo of roto-scoliosis (complication from a horse-riding accident) and a prolapsed bladder was the underlying cause of her UTIs. She’s having some success with an exercise regimen designed to address the prolapse. Here’s her full Instagram post about it if you’re interested: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xQbcKpVGS/?igshid=zh04y6dgjbx4
Sarah says
On a similar note, mastitis in the nursing mother is often caused by milk stasis and inflammation, but many doctors don’t know this and just prescribe antibiotics willy-nilly. To deal with early mastitis–the first signs are usually feeling feverish and ill with pain, a knot, or heaviness in one or both breasts–the key elements are ibuprofen (not Tylenol–it must be an NSAID painkiller because they decrease inflammation), rest, and constantly nursing/keeping the breasts empty.
For prevention, the main thing is keeping the breasts empty/not going too long between nursings, and weaning very gradually when you wean. Some people swear by lecithin for preventing plugged ducts, which tend to lead to mastitis (you can get sunflower lecithin if you avoid soy). I also can’t have penicillin and have dealt with several cases of incipient mastitis over the past decade in this way without ever having to take antibiotics or go to the doctor. If you want something more natural than ibuprofen, you could try bromelain, but I haven’t tried this myself. In my experience, it usually only requires 2-3 doses of ibuprofen if you are diligent about nursing and resting.
Dixie says
I have used sunflower lecithin to prevent mastitis and have found it to be effective. Whenever the baby starts nursing oddly I start taking it daily, and I have thus avoided needing antibiotics with this nursling (I’ve had mastitis 7 or 8 times with past nurslings). Also, be very aggressive about treating milk blisters/plugged ducts before they lead to full-blown mastitis.
Alicia says
I need all the advice about avoiding antibiotics for mastitis!! I usually get it once or twice with each nursling, but with my last baby I had it 7 or 8 times! I tried so hard to avoid all the triggers but just kept getting it and then getting another course of antibiotics. I really worry about so many antibiotics but I also feel so horrible when mastitis hits and am scared to just “wait and see” if things clear up naturally. Now I’m 6 months pregnant and nervous about breastfeeding my next baby because I just don’t want a re-do of so many bouts of mastitis. I look online and all I see is “nurse a lot, avoid tight fitting clothes” etc and I already do that. I will start a lecithin regimen but could use any other advice for preventing and combatting recurrent mastitis!!
Jann Elaine says
Not just nurse a lot: if you’re an overproducer (like me and the women in my family) pump or hand express. Especially when babies are new, you can invite them to nurse all you want but they really can’t deal much damage if you have a ton of milk. So: get rid of it. Store it if you want (but if you make too much, why bother?), milk bank, pump and dump but GET IT OUT. I never wanted a pump so I hand express which is tedious to learn but a very good skill and gets faster with experience. You don’t want to entirely empty your breasts but you want them soft at all times ESPECIALLY if you think you’re getting milk backed up. I HAVE RESOLVED never to catch this nasty problem again. Best of luck!!
Dixie says
As Jann Elaine says, oversupply can be a major factor in mastitis, because you become more prone to plugged ducts whenever the baby’s nursing changes (e.g. he’s sick, then well, or she has a growth spurt, then winds down). If you do have oversupply, you might want to work on that once nursing is well-established (say, around 4 months or so — not with a newborn). Block feeding or gentle reduction down to nursing on only one side per feeding usually (don’t refuse a baby who desperately wants both sides) can help a lot.
Also, did your last nursling have a lip tie? Not being able to flange out that upper lip can put undue pressure on the ducts. Lip ties are often missed because effective nursing is still possible with them (and they don’t always need to be treated, just known about).
But I think the most important preventative thing is checking every day in the mirror for red or hard spots and checking the nipples with each feeding for white milk blisters. Then you can attack it immediately before it takes hold. Sometimes gently opening the blister with a sterilized needle (go in carefully from the side and just lift the top of the white blister — it won’t hurt like you might imagine; don’t worry) is necessary. Nurse immediately afterwards Dangle feeding can help once the blister is open; also pressing hard with the heel of your hand on the affected breast while nursing (start at the chest wall and gradually move down across the plug all the way to the baby’s lip; press really, really hard; really beat on it. It will hurt a lot but will help so much with a stubborn plug). And of course and much water and rest as possible. Taking sunflower lecithin also helps me when I’m having problems.
I know you have experience with mastitis, so maybe you know all of this already. I guess what I’m trying to say is that there are lots of things you can do beyond “stand in a hot shower” and “rest” to keep it from developing!
Try not to feel guilty if you need antibiotics! Sometimes they are needed, as Auntie Leila notes, and thank heavens we have them when they are. I find that preventing or trying to evade mastitis once it is threatening is much more effective than trying to fight full-blown mastitis without antibiotics (just because a breast abscess can be so, so disruptive if the mastitis does not improve). I know that it does work sometimes to wait and see — so that’s reasonable — but prevention is the best medicine!
Alicia says
Thank you so much for the advice ladies. I do think oversupply is part of the issue. I have tried to block feed and nurse one side, but I do need to learn how to hand express- I’ve never figured out how. I have a pump but have found that to be so harsh, I worry about making things worse! I think I have been a wimp about massaging and getting out in front of the plugged ducts too. A lip tie is intriguing! I really never even thought about it as he never had a problem nursing, except that I kept getting infected, but it’s worth being aware of! These are all great tips- thanks for taking the time to reply’
Laurie says
Hello Alicia, I have some experience with plugged ducts during pregnancy that caused discomfort. There would be red spot on the affected breast and a hard lump. Not sure if that’s the exact same thing as what they call mastitis today. I had nine home births and nursed eight of the babies until 18 months at least. The last baby nursed longer, around three, and my other two girls weaned around two. So I nursed a lot. I would get in the warm shower and hand express milk there. I also used warm compresses and changed the position of nursing. We called it the “football hold”. I would also find that there was often a bubble that needed popping over the affected side’s nipple. That was probably one of the duct openings. I am almost 63 now so that should date me pretty well. I often followed the advice of LaLeche League and my midwife at the time. Hope that helps you! Oh yes, I almost forgot that I would up my water intake. Blessings, Laurie. My family website is: http://www.macdonaldfamilysingers.com
Laurie says
I meant to say during nursing after the babies were born!
Lauren says
I had several UTIs in a row years ago and read a tip to not wear underwear at night. I just wear a new pair of pajama pants every night. Haven’t had an infection since!
Amy says
Leila, would you recommend all of this protocol for a 3yo boy, or is it specific to adults? My son has had two UTIs in the past three months, so we are looking into underlying causes, but as my son is currently on his second round of antibiotics in a few months, I’d love to know if these are recommended for young children as well!
Leila says
Amy, maybe talk it over with the doctor. You’d need to know that the UTI is caused by E. Coli (which the tests he’s had would show).
Again, I’m not a medical professional of any kind; these are my own experiences. If it was my child, I might try it — again, as long as no fever or pain in the side or back was present, no nausea etc — because taking antibiotics is not a great way to go if there are alternatives.
Eva says
Amy, my 2.5 yr old daughter has had several UTIs over the past three months, all which rapidly progressed to kidney infections and/or septicemia. Two were E.Coli, if that helps. Needless to say, there have been a lot of antibiotics. Since they’ve ruled out VUR, she’s been taken off antibiotics and we have been using D-Mannose (1 scoop a day in her water bottle – adult dosage is 4/day) and so far so good. I’m no dr/nurse, but her paediatrician encouraged the D-Mannose, avoiding constipation, drinking a lot of water (I leave three water bottles around the house), and no baths. Hope you’re able to figure it out and get your son back on track! Hang in there
Amy says
I have been a UTI suffer since I was a little girl. After most of my puberty years of having monthly UTI infections the doctors didn’t know what to do with me since antibiotics didn’t seem to be working. I began some home remedies that my mom found. I took activated charcoal tablets and cranberry supplements (which is what probably helped because as I learned today the D-Mannose is an active ingredient in cranberry juice). I also took a daily probiotic.
Later on in high school I ran into a few articles that talked about interstitial cystitis causing reacuring UTI’s (a lot of my Urine was coming back negative) I asked my doctor about it nothing ever came of it.
I was never offically diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (which is like a yeast over growth in the body.) The yeast growth essentially behaves like UTI and can cause them more frequently but typically isn’t a bacteria related infection. I guess you can say I self diagnosed.
But since then I have found know my triggers for IC or causes of UTI symptoms now. Komchuca unfortantly irritates me so I try and stick with a water Keifr. Also excess amounts of sugar and carbs, pop, juice, and even alcohol, citrus and sometimes tea and coffee, really anything with a high acidic index irritated me. I could also be very sensitive.
So if I ingest any of those I know to flush it with tons of water and have a few good “clean” eating days. But I ultimately try and stay away from wheat and drinks with high sugar content as that is simply feeding a yeast over growth.
Thanks for the info! I’ll be adding that to my list of prevention for UTI’s.
P.S AZO pills are literally a life saver. I’ve had pain so bad before that my doctor prescribe me some stronger ones so they are out there if you need them. 🙂
Barbara says
Amy, I have IC and it is diagnosed under anesthesia by filling the bladder with water (catheter) to see how much it holds. An IC sufferer has a “stiff” bladder and it doesn’t stretch like a normal bladder. Inflammation or fissures in the lining of the bladder result in stiffening and flares of pain that mimic UTIs. Yeast is another situation entirely. Yeast can cause an “infection” as well but is not treated with antibiotics because it’s an overgrowth of yeast in the urinalysis tract and has to be treated with antifungal medication.
Amy Jean says
Ive also suffered many bacterial and nonbacterial uti’s over many years. A natural doctor told me the nonbacterial ones are actually a ph balancing problem. He recommended I take a good quality calcium/mag supplement + vit D3 every day. That was 8 years ago and Ive had only 1 occurrence of nonbacterial since when I tried switching and rationing supplements. Ive always wondered if IC is essentially PH caused and if this protocol saved me from having it?
Thrift at Home says
well, fascinating. I (and other women in my family) get UTIs frequently. Mine started in earnest with intercourse, and the first year of marriage was a year of PAIN, sobbing as I drove to yet another doctor’s appointment – which ended with a trip to a urologist who was so kind. He just talked to me, and told me what to do. I don’t take baths, I don’t sit around in wet bathing suits, I am very very careful to keep my whole crotch dry (which includes going without undies when needed and only wearing cotton otherwise). I drink lots of water. I always pee after intercourse. I keep cranberry pills on hand and if I fear that UTI conditions are forming, I start taking cranberry and drinking even more water. If I don’t have cranberry pills, apple cider vinegar in water has also worked for me.
But I am dead-set against antibiotics if a safer alternative exists. So I will look into your method carefully and see what I can do! For the first few years of my marriage, my doctor did allow me to get an antibiotic by just calling him. And then, before trips, I would literally HAVE the bottle of pills with me, haha.
Marney says
You must try ‘UTI drops’ from Preferred Nutrition ( no, I’m not selling anything!). They are extremely effective ( and I’ve tried everything). The 56ml bottle is expensive at around $50 Canadian, but sooooo worth it. The product is very concentrated, and lasts for a couple of years at least.
Kessie says
Thank you for the extra weapons for my UTI arsenal! A few things I found that helped me a lot that I didn’t see mentioned here, so I thought I’d swing by:
Essential fatty acids. These also help heal the membranes in your body, and the American diet is chronically deficient in them (all three Omega oils). When a UTI is looming, I take a bunch of fish oil and it helps head it off.
Calcium. You wouldn’t think that calcium helps, but your body needs it to metabolize vitamin C and other things, so take that along with your fish oil.
And also probiotics, especially kombucha. I went through a very scary time last May when my two toddlers almost died of e coli from a dirty swimming pool. I did a ton of research, and it turns out that antibiotics only kill the good bacteria that were blocking the e coli from spreading. If you go to the hospital, all they can do is give you fluids, because there’s literally nothing else they can do for you. But I found a study from Europe when there was a huge e coli outbreak back in the 2000s. They found that probiotics block e coli from attaching to your intestinal wall, and they even isolated a particular strain that is extremely good at it. I wound up getting the GT’s Kombucha brand with the blue-green algae in it and feeding it to my toddlers through a straw. It helped them within a matter of hours. I can’t swear by it enough.
Leila M. Lawler says
Kessi, this is amazing. Isn’t it so interesting that the probiotic does the same thing that the D-Mannose does, bond with the E. Coli?
Your finding is something to be logged away in the collective memory for sure!
Lisa Freedman says
Is there a specific strain of probiotics I should take daily as a preventative? I’m 52 years old, post menopausal. I usually have around 3 or 4 UTI’s a year. Urinalysis always shows wbc and leukocytes in my urine elevated. Sometimes nitrates, not always. My symptoms are always urinary frequency and pelvic pressure. Antibiotics help within 2 days. I’m afraid to become antibiotic resistant one day. I’ve recently started Vagifem. My doctor said it should help with recurring utis. I just found your site. I’m taking many notes of all the wonderful information you have provided, as well as all the comments. What do you think of aloe Vera juice or capsules daily as a preventative? I’m thinking I will combine D-Mannose and aloe Vera daily as prevention, maybe hibiscus tea. Hopefully, these supplements are okay to take everyday.
Any information you can give me will be helpful and greatly appreciated.
Thank you 🙏
Leila says
Lisa, I am not knowledgeable enough to answer this question, but I have noticed that different things and combinations of things work for different people. Keep trying! I notice that restricting my eating to two meals within a 7 hour period during the day (intermittent fasting) helps me with urinary frequency, even with making sure I drink more. Be sure that you are not constipated. D-Mannose and hibiscus are fine to take every day. I would imagine that aloe is too, but I haven’t looked into it.
I will also say that the time around menopause is fraught with these difficulties, but after a few years, it seems that things settle down. It won’t always be this way!
Colette Spranger (@_etteloc) says
If you’re going to drink cranberry juice, you need 100% cranberry juice. Unsweetened, not juice cocktail, 100% cranberries. Otherwise, a tincture of uva ursi helps get rid of mine, when used in addition to pain relievers and flushing out the infection through hydration. Uva ursi isn’t recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers, however.
A quick PSA: some people might have an allergic reaction when using both marshmallow and hibiscus. Probably best not to mix those two.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501882/
Claire says
I have cleared up a UTI in about 16 hours by drinking two large glasses of fresh carrot, garlic and beet and juice made in a Hamilton Beech juicer (not expensive). I used about 4 large carrots, a half of a beet.and one large garlic clove. I drank a large glass before bed and another fresh glass in the morning. About an hour or two after the morning glass the symptoms were gone and did not return!
Claire says
Please disregard the”and” between beet and juice in the second line. 🙂
Annie says
I don’t know if I’ve ever had a UTI (knock on wood!!) but I am so grateful for this intel. I have been struggling with infertility including limited mucus, and I am going to have to try marshmallow root in addition to everything my doctor has recommended.
Sara Boyle says
I’ve skimmed through a large number of comments, but I haven’t seen anyone mention Cream of Tartar. It’s a super-simple remedy that almost all of us have on hand! Just dissolve 1-1.5 teaspoons in a glass of water and drink it down quickly. It has a tendency to settle to the bottom of the glass, so you need to stir and drink. It doesn’t have much taste, but you could add the hibiscus tea or lemon juice if palatability is a problem. Do this morning and night, maybe for a few days if you have a stubborn infection, and once a day if you have frequent recurrences. It makes the body/bladder more alkaline so that bacteria can’t grow. I don’t have UTI’s as a rule, but a recent bout with a catheter confirmed that it knocks out symptoms very quickly!
Laurie says
Hi Sara, if you look back to January 8, 2019, Tara mentioned that she uses the cream of tartar and water method for UTIs. It’s good to hear this method confirmed. Blessings, Laurie
Cirelo says
A tip on how to get the herbs mentioned on discount. If you have a bunch of friends interested in buying herbs in bulk you can form a buying club to access wholesale prices. My friends and I order through https://wholesale.frontiercoop.com/ and as long as we have a minimum collective sale of $250 an order, we get free shipping and access to a host of herbs, spices, and natural products. It’s not like a sales gimmick, it is just a co-op. It’s pretty easy for a handful of big families to meet that minimum order every few months. Then you can share the bulk herbs with each other and it’s so affordable. I wouldn’t have been able to ever afford dabbling in herbs and supplements if I hadn’t been invited to join.
Elizabeth says
My sister had very frequent UTI’s as a child, I remember one Christmas when she was knocked out for nearly 2 weeks. Antibiotics were apparently not on my parents’ radar. I do remember them giving her sage and fennel teas with honey. Strangely, since puberty, she has never had them anymore.
I have never had one, in spite of using a menstrual cup for 7 years now. But I will bookmark this information and refer people to it, thanks a lot!
Marie says
Get off of tampons! They collect bacteria. I switched to pads. No a UTI in 7 years. Here is what happened… I have had chronic UTI’s since being married, but also had them three times a year before we were married. I tried everything. I was “diagnosed” with various things, given antibiotics, given Prelief, did work ups with urologists. My last urologist had me on a low-grade daily antibiotic. When I became pregnant for the first time (a four-year Novena answered) I went off of the antibiotics to protect my baby. My urologist kicked me out of her office and told me never to come back because I was endangering myself and the baby by getting off of daily antibiotics. No UTI during pregnancy, thank you, Lord. But I had a UTI about 6 months after having my daughter… and the UTI’s kept recurring. About seven years ago my mother asked me what do I do every single month? Make a list of anything pertaining to the female area. (She is a Registered Nurse.) She said, “Try pads. Skip the tampons. Those could collect bacteria.” No UTI’s again. I do not love the pads, but I LOVE HAVING NO MORE UTI’s.
Marie says
THANK YOU with my whole heart, Auntie Leila, for this essential topic. I am sending this post out to all my family and friends who also suffer with UTI’s. Help for Urinary Tract Infections is a necessary topic to add to the collective memory. Thank you to all of the contributions of the UTI and “feels-like-a-UTI-but-is-not,” solutions in the comments section. This is a huge blessing!
Please read the third sentence as, “No UTI in 7 years.” That is seven years since I have made that one change. I realize that will not be the case for everyone, but I could find no one writing anywhere about the connection between tampons and UTI’s. It may help someone here at LMLD.
Peggy says
D-Mannose has worked well for me. Cranberry extract capsules also worked well, and much better than cranberry juice.
The herb Uva Ursi did not work so well for me, but sometimes midwives recommend it. (Don’t combine it with cranberry. If remember correctly, they will cancel each other out.)
I’ve been told that there is a ring of protective cells just inside the urethra, and if they get damaged, then UTIs can happen much more frequently.
Peggy says
Some other things that have helped me:
Recognizing that sometimes the pain I felt was from irritation, not infection.
Re-colonizing the area with “good” bacteria. Eating live-culture yogurt (or even applying it directly) is supposed to help with bladder and vaginal infections. But I discovered by accident that what really worked for me was to colonize with bacteria from my own mouth.
Avoiding the “bad” bacteria: careful wiping habits, having my husband shower before intercourse. There was a study, some years ago, that showed that women were more likely to have UTIs in the six months following a pelvic exam. My own UTIs have followed that pattern.
Peggy says
I’ve since thought more about self-colonizing with one’s mouth bacteria. The bacteria that cause plaque on the teeth may not be the best thing to put down there. The idea of re-colonizing with “good” bacteria is sound, though. Antibiotics tend to get rid of both the good and the bad, leaving a clear field for the bad ones to return.
monthlychanges says
Many years ago I got a UTI while in a small Costa Rican village that didn’t even have a doctor. Although I’m not sure it would have helped if there had been a doctor as my Spanish is way too limited to describe the problem. So I drank water until I couldn’t stand any more water. Then I discovered that they have some pretty amazing flavors of Kool-aid in Costa Rica. Pineapple anyone? Anyway, after two days I was symptom -free. And went on to enjoy the remaining days of my vacation. Yay! I didn’t read all the comments, but one tip that no one ever tells you is that you should ALWAYS urinate after sex. When I learned that, my frequency of infections dropped markedly.
rachelnehme says
Same basic assumption as the rest but flushing your system with tons of lemon water always helped me – I mean a TON of water with fresh squeezed lemon. The “Pure Encapsulation” brand of Cranberry Pills is much higher potency than AZO and not super expensive -can get on Amazon. And add a few kombuchas to the daily mix and voila! It’s gone pretty quick. But I am going to add D-Mannose – that is a great idea!
Arun says
Drinking a lot of water and the use of D-Mannose will definitely help recover from UTI. Thank you for sharing the information.
Patricia Hoff says
I tried everything you said today and I feel so horrible. I have drunk so much water, so I know that this is not the issues. How long will it take for all these supplements to flush out of my body?
Leila says
Sorry you feel terrible! I hate UTIs! I always feel like I’m going to die!
Of course you should check with your doctor if you are ill. I am not a medical professional! If you have a fever and/or pain in your kidneys, you need to call the doctor.
If you still want to try to cure it yourself — you are in pain but don’t have a fever or kidney pain (and are fairly certain it’s the type of UTI caused by e.coli, because you’ve had this in the past), here is what I suggest:
Get the AZO and take your ibuprofen.
Go through the protocol I have posted here. If you are having an allergic reaction, apparently it could be from the marshmallow root plus the hibiscus flower tea, so eliminate the latter.
Give it a day or two.
I hope you feel better soon!
Patricia Hoff says
Please beware or at least maybe use smaller doses of this supplements. I did this exactly as written Friday November 8. I spent all Friday night vomiting. I ended up of the hospital with low sodium, potassium and magnesium levels. I spent three days in the hospital. Not worth it to me. Maybe I am just sensitive to these or one of these supplements, but I was absolutely miserable all Friday evening and night. Just use caution if you choose to do this – may use less of the supplements.
God Bless and please be carfuly
Leila says
Dear Patricia — so sorry that you were so sick!
Yes, caution is always needed. I will update the post to strengthen my admonitions in that regard!
And of course, taking capsules and drinking a lot can be hard on the stomach. As always, please use common sense and talk to the doctor if there are any questions. The post is not medical advice but just me passing along something that has worked for me and others.
I hope you are better very soon!
God bless!
April says
This happened to me also. It’s not the supplements, it’s too much water too fast, causing an electrolyte imbalance. I almost passed out. I’m at a point where I am beyond terrified of UTIs because I can’t drink the huge volumes of water without getting faint and dizzy.
Leila says
I think you are right. I have drunk so much that I’ve vomited. I have since learned that it’s not necessary to go that far. Simply being hydrated will do the trick!
To prevent the UTI in the first place, take in more vitamin C than you have been and have a routine for remaining hydrated (I find I’m more at risk when my routine gets disrupted — it’s usually not necessary for me to obsess about amounts, just keeping it steady), and make sure you are not constipated (straining really hurts your tract).
If you feel one coming on, I think the key — for me — is to
take away the pain so that I can drink a reasonable amount. But first take the D-mannose and wait 20 minutes.
manu says
I started to use ayurvedic drink and now I have not had an infection for a year! It was like a miracle. The year before I got it probabaly every month!
Wendy says
What was the specific drink?
Jen says
In addition to the D-Mannose, I take Vitamin C. I start with 2,000 IUs in the morning, 1,000 every time I pee, and 2,000 again at bedtime. I start this up at the slightest twinge of an infection. I continue until 3 days after any symptoms are gone.
I appreciate the other tips. I have had recurring infections all my life, as well as a couple of surgeries. I have had anaphylactic reactions to all the abx prescribed for UTIs, so I have to find other ways to cope.
Emine says
I have Sibo and cannot take d mannose for UTI. There ğs severe burning in my bladder.Cranberry capsules cause burning ,make it worse.. Is there any sibo friendly alternative to d mannose?
Leila says
I do not know… perhaps your doctor can help you!
ringofendlesslightblog says
Just because I love alternative health things. I use apple cider vinegar with the mother for getting rid of UTI’s. Take like a tablespoon in water (or straight if you’re hard core) for about a week to flush it out. Drink lots of water. Pregnancy friendly! Also works well for children.
Ella says
D-Mannose is wonderful, but unfortunately, too expensive. Also, with the COV** situation it’s impossible to see a doctor these days.
Cinnamon kills E. coli, so I sometimes
sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon powder in my underwear. I’ve heard of other people adding salt to drinking water and taking showers to protect against UTIs. Wherever works, works.
Leila says
Glad to know about the cinnamon.
If you buy D-mannose as capsules in small amounts, it is expensive, but if you buy it as a powder, it’s pretty cheap. Here you go: https://amzn.to/3asTWhS (affiliate link)
Since it’s basically a sugar, it makes no sense to pay for the capsule aspect. Just mix a teaspoon in a small amount of water or whatever you like! It truly just makes it a bit sweet.
Since the dose is at most a tablespoon a day (not that you can overdose from it — it’s a sugar), the bag purchased this way, in bulk, will last for a long time.
breezyhill1 says
Just reading this old post on UTI’s and see you are also members of Samaritan Ministires. We have been with this group for many years and just love them. We eat a lot of yogurt here at our house, I make it a gallon at a time; and rarely get any kind of sickness. Also take elderberry syrup at the first sing of any sickness. We pick and can our own syrup so it is not expensive for us. Nannie
Laurie says
I have had three UTIs in about six months and never had them ever before. I am almost 63. During my second UTI I had two people, my husband and a lady friend a bit older than me, suggest I fast for a couple days. That’s was I did. I drank water and no sugar cranberry juice, took vitamin C and d-mannose and prayed to the LORD for healing. It worked! But then I came down with the third one two months later. I need to find out if it’s dehydration doing this. Anyway, for those interested in trying the two day fast, it might be worth a try. My first fast was 48 hours and the second one was 41 hours. I am also trying to be more careful eating foods that help keep UTIs from coming on. I started taking a probiotic, too. Hope that helps someone out there. Blessings, Laurie
Christina A says
Hi, Leila!
The mom of one of my son’s classmates, Leslie Taylor, has started a Substack called Fast Well, Feast Well, a series of posts mostly on her Intermittent Fasting journey; some of that story is included in the following post, though it is mainly about a short-term extreme protocol that has nearly resolved her decades-long battle with urinary tract issues. Hopefully it will help you or someone else who really suffers with these conditions!
https://open.substack.com/pub/fastwell/p/how-i-healed-my-interstitial-cystitis
Leslie wrote in a post a couple months after this one that she was able to add a few carbs back in now and then with no ill effects.
I’m intrigued by her other writing on the effects of IF on many serious medical conditions, and her writing on other little known alternative treatments. 🙂
I’ve thankfully only had a few UTIs myself, and your protocol helped resolve mine in short order; thank you! I do have a friend whose condition is similar to Leslie’s; I hope she doesn’t have to go quite as extreme to heal it, but I’m going to pass on the info to her just in case she’d like to try it.
God bless,
Christina A