Popular antibiotics for UTIs include Macrobid , Cipro , and Bactrim. The number of days that someone will take antibiotics to treat a UTI will vary. Stopping a course of antibiotics early might not kill all of the bacteria, which could cause antibiotic resistance.

Some people who have recurring UTIs may benefit from antibiotic prophylaxis , a treatment option where antibiotics prevent an infection rather than treat one.

The same medications used to treat UTIs can also be used for prevention, though doses will vary. A healthcare professional can determine the proper dosage and form of medication on a case-by-case basis.

UTIs are more common in women than men due to anatomy — the female urethra is shorter and closer to the rectum, making it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. Sexual activity can introduce bacteria from the rectal area into the urethra, as can the use diaphragms for birth control.

Spermicide application for birth control can offset the good bacteria that offer protection from overgrowth of bacteria causing UTIs. Periods of hormonal changes , as. seen in pregnacy and menopause, can also increase the risk for developing UTIs in women.

Most UTIs will require antibiotics, as true infections left untreated can result in more serious events like pyelonephritis with or without an abscess, a bloodstream infection, and even the possibility of kidney failure.

Documented UTIs should be managed under the guidance of a healthcare professional. The most common pathogen associated with UTI is E. coli and is targeted by selection of antibiotics, but other pathogens can also cause infection.

UTI treatment will often be empiric based on treatment guideline recommendations , but if you do not respond to an initial course of antibiotics or have many recurrences and a drug-resistant bacteria is a concern, urine can be sent for culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Antibiotic allergies and drug interactions with other medications you may be taking can also play into different selections made by your healthcare provider.

OTC products, such as AZO, will not get rid of a UTI. The only way to get rid of a true UTI is a course of antibiotics. AZO, whose main ingredient is phenazopyridine, will provide fast symptom relief, including burning upon urination and urinary frequency.

This is a common medication that can be used in conjunction with an antibiotic prescribed by a healthcare professional. While natural approaches to preventing UTIs are reasonable to implement, the best way to completely eradicate a true infection is a course of antibiotics.

Luckily, most uncomplicated UTIs can be treated with a very short course of antibiotics, some regimens requiring only a single dose. UTIs, when treated appropriately and promptly, can resolve quickly — within a few days, to be exact.

Antibiotic courses are usually very short, not requiring more than a 3 to 5 days of treatment when caught early and remain uncomplicated UTIs. Antibiotics, if prescribed, should always be continued for the duration dictated by your provider, even if you start to feel better before the course is complete.

Inadequately treated UTIs could recur or result in the development of antibiotic resistance by the bacteria, making management of future infections more complicated. Bananas and other fiber-rich fruits and food may be helpful in preventing UTIs by aiding in proper bowel movements.

Foods high in fiber can ultimately reduce the risk of UTIs by minimizing pressure on the urinary tract so that urine flows unobstructed and any present bacteria is flushed out. Leaving a UTI untreated can cause additional health problems. Bacteria can reach the ureters or kidneys and cause kidney infections and possibly permanent kidney damage.

Untreated UTIs in pregnant women can also potentially cause early labor and low birth weight. A UTI left untreated can result in a more serious infection, called sepsis. Sepsis is a true medical emergency, and if not treated as such can result in death.

Although natural remedies can be beneficial for alleviating UTI symptoms and preventing recurrent UTIs , they are unlikely to beeffective in treating the infection.

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Follow packet instructions regarding dosage or simply take ¼ teaspoon a day. Another alternative is capsules, in which cases the dosage is mg 2 to 3 times a day.

Corn silk tea is another popular home remedy used to treat urinary tract problems, including infections. Some studies have shown that corn silk tea has a good concentration of tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids, making it rich in antimicrobial properties.

Additionally, corn silk is also a diuretic, which helps with eliminating bacteria through the urine. Place the corn silk in a cup with boiling water and let it rest for five to ten minutes. After this, strain the mixture and let it cool down.

Drink this tea two to three times a day. Dandelion is a plant that has an excellent diuretic effect. It helps to increase urine quantity, allowing the bacteria that are causing the infection to be flushed out more quickly.

Add the dandelion to the boiling water and let this mixture sit for five to ten minutes. Strain and drink two to three times a day. Read more about why dandelion tea is good for you and how it can benefit your health.

Boxwood leaves are diuretic and antimicrobial and seem to help fight microorganisms that cause urinary tract infections. It also stimulates urine production. Some studies have shown that these plant properties are linked to the essential oil, which is mainly produced in the leaves.

That is because the oil is capable of being absorbed in the stomach and then released into the kidneys, where it mixes with urine and helps to clean the urinary tract.

Add the leaves to the boiling water and let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain the mixture, let it cool down and drink two to three times a day. Horsetail is one of the most popular natural diuretics in the world and for that reason, it can be a great treatment for a urinary tract infection.

It helps in the elimination of microorganisms responsible for the infection. According to research, the effect of horsetail is linked to the presence of an important diuretic substance, saponin.

Place all the ingredients into a cup and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes. After this, strain, cool down and drink up to 3 cups a day. As it is a strong diuretic, which eliminates various types of important minerals, horsetail should not be used for more than 7 days.

Learn more about the health benefits that horsetail tea can offer. If you take any type of tea or natural product to treat health problems, you should do so under the supervision of doctor or a health professional who is familiar with medicinal plants.

This is because doses have to be adjusted due to factors such as age, weight and health background. These teas should not replace prescribed medication. As most teas mentioned have a diuretic effect, it is very important to not use these teas for extended periods of time more than 7 days as prolonged use can lead to imbalances of important minerals.

The dietary supplement D-mannose is a simple sugar with a potential UTI prevention superpower: It sticks to E.

coli bacteria. A meta-review published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that it appears effective for UTI prevention. Scientists think it may prevent bacteria from clinging to the bladder and causing infection. More research may be needed to determine the optimal doses and side effect profile, but Dr.

Hooton said that it appeared safe and that trying it could be helpful. Some people swear by cranberry to stave off UTIs. But study results are decidedly mixed, and many involve older adults in long-term care.

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, chemicals that prevent bacteria from sticking to cells lining the urinary tract, according to a report in Molecules. If it works for you, stick with it—but if not, don't waste your money.

And again, if your symptoms are serious, get in touch with your healthcare provider about getting a prescription. And a few words of caution: If you take a blood thinner, talk to your healthcare provider first.

Taking cranberry may increase your risk of bleeding, noted Dr. And people with interstitial cystitis may want to avoid cranberry because its acidity may cause further irritation, said Dr. According to the Urology Care Foundation , interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder condition that causes pain and a feeling of pressure around the bladder.

More acidic urine is less welcoming to bacteria, or so the thinking goes. And that's why some people take vitamin C , which contains ascorbic acid, to ward off UTIs.

But Dr. Hooton said this idea wasn't convincing. In a review of non-antibiotic UTI prevention strategies in Pathogens , researchers could not recommend vitamin C.

They found only two trials, and those studies produced contradictory results. However, if you are already taking D-mannose and cranberry and you're otherwise healthy, adding vitamin C to your regimen likely won't hurt. Over-the-counter products like AZO contain phenazopyridine, a pain reliever that eases urinary pain, burning, urgency, and frequency.

Phenazopyridine is also available in prescription strength under brand names like Pyridium. When you're uncomfortable, phenazopyridine can "help soothe and calm the bladder while you're waiting for the antibiotic to work," said Dr. Heat can be an effective at-home remedy for UTI pain.

Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen or back to ease the discomfort of a bladder or kidney infection, according to the NIDDK. That advice goes for kids with bladder infections, too. If you're still getting UTIs, tight skinny jeans may not be your thing. Wearing underwear with a cotton crotch and quickly changing out of damp workout clothes and wet bathing suits may also help, according to the U.

Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Women's Health. Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you.