Effective Natural UTI Remedies for Quick Relief

I too had numerous urinary tract infections and lots of antibiotics for them, before I learned to both avoid them in the first place and cure them early on.

To prevent them:

- I wear nothing but cotton undies (silk or other natural materials might work too, but absolutely no polyester/synthetics).
- Never wash lady parts with soap or other substances, only clean water.

To cure them when I feel one coming:

- Drink a tall glass of water, or two. Or three.
- Absolutely do not consume anything sugary. Sugar feeds the UTI and makes it much worse. So soda does not count as water, it is anti-water here.
- I mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a tall glass of water (12 oz?), just stir it with a spoon and drink as much as I can. It tastes so vile I have to force it down, but this coctail has not failed me once since I found it. I have nipped every UTI (which come rarely now anyway) in the bud with extra water and the baking soda drink, but more advanced cases may require repeated doses.

I was feeling that 'twinge' of a UTI coming and I didn't want to take an antibiotic, or cranberry anything (cranberry can make things worse for some women due to an intolerance to d-mannose). I found someone's blog who wrote about the pH level of the vagina, with recommendations on staying healthy; one recommendation being the use of a probiotic suppository.

I tried drinking diluted ACV, but it wasn't catching on fast enough, so after rushing to the healthfood store I administered the recommended probiotic supplement as a vaginal suppository. After 30 minutes I wasn't sure if it was working, but after an hour the 'twinge' was gone as well as most of my stress. A vegetarian gel cap takes longer to dissolve, unless there is sufficient stomach acid.

For the first 3 hours, one capsule every hour, or each time after urinating. I'm using one capsule every 2 hours now. Drinking water. I also took a capsule orally figuring it wouldn't hurt to have one in the digestive system. The suppository was enough to nip the UTI in the bud, and urgent care office was avoided.

Be well, Sheila

Been having a terrible time with the UTI symptoms and same as everybody else doctors try one thing and then another. Finally found a good doctor who took a lab test for kidney, did not show anything major, just a slightly elevated creatinine, not considered anything to worry about. I give all the credit to the doctor for at least focusing on the cause of the problem. I read all about kidneys on my own, came across renal tubular acidosis (does not show a high BUN or creatinine) and the explanation and cure is very simple and it is highly treatable--just raise the pH to 7.5, but for awhile go on an 80%/20% alkaline to acid forming foods diet. After achieving proper balance maintain 60/40 alkalinity. Important thing, potassium citrate very important to work with calcium and to prevent kidney stones which can cause burning like uti. Only about a week and feeling much better. Hope this helps along with the other alkalizing remedies etc. people say are helping them.

I suggest being very cautious using the sea salt remedy. I tried using just half a teaspoon, and within an hour had blood in my urine (or something pink, with a few lumps). This cleared up in about 3 hours, drinking more water with no salt. (I found that now I had an aversion to salt.) Some of us may be more sensitive to salt and I am guessing it was overloading my kidneys and creating stress. I'm not sure about this--just suggesting caution. Seems to me that large quantities of water everyone thinks is good. Stick with this and instead of using a whole teaspoon of salt (or even half like I tried), just add a little soy sauce to taste, and make it to your taste level. Your body will know if you need more salt or not to replace electrolyte balance from the water drinking.

Hello there! Im a male 24 yrs old and I wanna share my natural cure with the world because I also suffered from UTI last year. So I decided to post this information to help the many people that suffer from this problem, I cured my UTI by drinking 8 glasses of water a day, water helps to flush out the bacteria that causes the burning sensation when urinating, so that all you got to do just drink 8 glasses of purified water (not tap water) minimum a day. Before I had tried many powerful antibiotics that did not worked, so try it out it easy and simple, 80% of the body is made up of water so it is that significant, you must eat plenty of water to be in good health and cure yourself of UTI, I wish you all good luck.

Okay, so I'm not sure if I even have it anymore, though I still feel some slight discomfort during urination.

So if I still have this infection, I'm going on week number 3 of having it. I really dont want to take antibiotics, plus I can't really afford going for a doctors visit plus a prescription. So week one, I chugged lots of water and cranberry juice, drank apple cider vinegar 2tbsps a day, took cranberry supplements, vitamin c, echinacea, acidophilus and the apple cider vinegar seemed to help me. But I was still having irritation, then last week, I was still chugging water and cranberry juice, still doing vitamin c and all the pills I listed above, only I was taking 2 tbsps of apple cider vinegar 3 times a day.. And it helped at first, but then at the end of last week it started to hurt a lot more.

Then this past monday, I got Kidney Bladder remedy, I researched beforehand on how Uva Ursi is really can help get rid of the infection, so I went to the local health food store to get it, but then saw the blend for Kidney Bladder which contains Uva Ursi, but also contains Juniper, Parsley, Ginger, Marshmallow root, cramp bark and goldenseal root which I hear are all awesome things to help get rid of a bladder infection. I cut out the cranberry juice this week, and have just been drinking water. Your supposed to take this blend twice a day, so I did for monday and tuesday. But I later read on tuesday night that cranberry and vitamin c make my blend pills pretty much ineffective. So I stopped taking the cranberry supplements and vitamin c, and have just been chugging the water, taking this blend with all this stuff in it, echinacea, and acidophilus. So I feel like I've really improved, it's a lot better. But I'm still feeling irritation, it hasn't moved to my kidneys, thats for sure. But it's been like 4 effective days of taking this blend, and I can only take it up to 7, because past that is dangerous.

Though my mom who is a nurse, said that maybe the infection is gone and that there is more to it, that I possibly could have irritable problems with my urethra that's causing me discomfort/irritation while I urinate. So what should I do? Does it sound like I'm on the right track to being cured? What else should I do if not? Could my mom be right?

A bladder infection is nothing to play around with. I've had a kidney infection before from ignoring a bladder infection and let me tell you, it is not fun. A persistent bladder infection can cause serious damage to your kidneys or scarring of the urethra if untreated.

Usually, when I feel a bladder infection coming on, I take ACV and it goes away. Some people have success with using probiotics. All the remedies I would suggest to you it seems that you have tried already. If you've tried everything and your bladder infection hasn't gone away, you should really go on antibiotics. I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but a bladder infection can cause some serious complications if not treated quickly and properly. If you are still having some discomfort, it means your bladder infection is still hanging on (or you've caused some damage to your urethra by not treating it properly). If you are worried about the side effects of antibiotics, take probiotics to replenish the "good" bacteria in your system.

I know it's expensive to go to the doctor, but depending on what state you live in, pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Target have walk-in clinics that will treat you for UTIs/bladder infections for under $80. Generic antibiotics are also usually not very expensive. I think you should go and not wait any longer. Home remedies are good when they work, but if they aren't working for you, you shouldn't put off seeking professional treatment.

Best of luck to you, Jennifer

The real cranberry juice treatment worked for my chronic urinary tract infection when NO antibiotics did. You need to buy the real cranberry juice and NOT the cranberry juice mixtures sold at grocery stores wich have very little real cranberry juice in them.

I was prescribed this treatment by a urologist when all the antibiotics failed to work. You drink three cups of cranberry juice per day preferably on an empty stomach. If it works it works fast. It did for me in about 2 weeks when nothing else did....Oscar

Try purple or red grapes juice without sugar. It helped me a lot in clearing my UTI during pregnancy but I also took Ted's sea salt remedy and after one dose of one ts of sea salt in one glass of water drank water with 1/4 ts of sea salt in one litre water regularly. According to Ted' s instruction drinking more water without sea salt makes the UTI worse. You must more drink water but with sea salt. I am now almost eight month pregnant. I never have further UTI during my pregnancy. Whenever I visit my doctor every month I start drinking red or purple grapes juice and water with sea salt four days before and my urine report is always clear without any infection. So I am thankful to Ted and Earth clinic for treating my UTI with natural remedies as I don't want to take antibiotics during my pregnancy. I hope that it will help you. Good luck.

Jfrost231, Uva Ursi is definitely the master herb for Bladder/UTI infections, but as you are advised cannot be used in excess or by pregnant or nursing women. Also do not take Uva Ursi w/ (at the same moment or hr) vit-C or Cranberry as it decreases effectiveness. About 5 days use will provide much relief and by that time side effects of vasoconstriction will begin w/ itching or painful veins or possibly numbness in hands and feet. Must discontinue for at least 2 weeks before resuming (if necessary).

Another nutrient extremely beneficial for Bladder/UTI infection is the simple sugar D-Mannose. And for your insufficient immune response, Vit-A & Zinc at recommended dosages daily for 1 month or more.

After years of bladder infections dr sent me to physical therapy (????) I could not understand this but since I had my kids thru cesarian section, she said my pelvic muscles were too tight and I had scar tissue etc so this would prevent me from emptying my bladder thoroughly. She gave me a ball which I am to lay on to loosen the tight muscles. I went about 3 times to therapy (it was embarassing because they stretch you ). Anyway, I really never did the exercises at home until today because I got another infection. I'm laying on the ball, have taken cranberry pills, vit c, yogurt, and I had to take antibiotic (have several refills). But I never want to have this infections again. I am also reading my Bible and praying for divine healing. God is awesome! Has anyone heard of this therapy? I'm gonna get probiotics tomorrow. Thank you all. God Bless you!

I will have to try the cranberry sauce. I awoke at 3:00am with horrible pain with my trip to the bathroom. I knew exactly what is was as I am prone to the uti. As the morning progressed, the pain got worse and I also noticed blood in my urine which I haven't noticed before. I could hardly leave the toilet the frequency and pain was so bad. I eventually came here to EC to see what I could find out. I read the things I already knew, baking soda, aspirin/alka seltzer (haven't had that in years), ACV, etc.. I didn't get any relief even after some popular OTC medication for this I had. I knew I had to go to the Dr. Since there was blood in the urine and I'm missing a day of work which I would recommend for anyone. The Dr gave me the usual but dreaded antibiotic and said that my case was quite moderate approaching severe. I am now home and resting and hope to be pain free this afternoon. I am following up with the probiotics and cranberry. 2 times a year for this stinks.

"Seem to be well" is no confirmation or consolation. Ppl need UTI test strips to confirm an infection, or not, or a trip to the doctor. You need to continue a protocol after you 'seem' well to ensure full measures have been taken to eliminate all the infection entirely, not partially to feel better. The UTI test strips are very affordable. Also eliminate all sugars as they feed the infection.

Hi Effie6... For an understanding of what might be causing all your problems, here is an in depth article on something called the Antibiotic Syndrome and how excessive use of antibiotics relate to causing dysbiosis(eradication of the good intestinal bacteria) which eventually causes the rise and dominace of Candida albicans problems in the the body:

Antibiotics, Dysbiosis and Candida

All the symptoms you have described seem to relate to candida problems: low thyroid, low energy, brain fog, memory problems with ongoing intestinal problems etc. The cause was perhaps over-use of strong antibiotics over too long a period. I have also had systemic candida and managed to get rid of it using natural protocols -- but it was a lengthy process.

For natural Candida remedies -- see these links:

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/mystery-diagnosis.html#AGT

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/candida.html

UPDATE::: Ok guys, the vitamin C cure DID not work, as the cream of tarter in a few inches of water, DID NOT WORK EITHER. Baking soda didnt work, and I got sick and could have possibly poisoned myself, (i just read about the dangers of taking toom uch baking soda online) UGH....

I was beginning to despair, so NOW, Im feeling great, and for the last week or so Ive been taking massive doses of Echinacea, (4 4oomg pills 4 times thruout the day) but altho I was feeling better, it wasnt really nipping my problem in the bud, as I was beginning to have excrutiating pain at night, and by now I starting to feel fully convinced I have the dread, interstitial cystitus!!!

Guys, D MANNOSE!!! I have tried D mannose TWICE before in the past and it seemed to do nothing for me. It was like drinking sugar water, it seemed to be the most rediculous cure ever!!!!! However, after tireless internet google research, all these women were swearing by it, (even saying things like, 9 out of 10 women are cured by D mannose, and I have interstitial incurable bladder disease and this cured me) so I decided to give it another go.

I tried a really cheap brand of D mannose before, and some women claimed that it DOES make a difference to go with a high quality more expensive brand, and that not all d mannose are created equal, I guess, so I spent about $25.00 for a little jar.

It says on the jar to take a teaspoon every 4 hours, (like 4 times a day) and double for a raging case, (like mine) I took a teaspoon and a half every 2 hours like SEVERAL times a day, and by the third day, I really almost feel normal again, I feel great. I ordered another jar, I really think its working!! Its pricey but worth it.

I suppose the d mannose receptors attract e coli to them and then they attach off the wall and get flushed out of the bladder. Ive also read the d mannose can do this to sperm! So be careful ladies, if your trying to conceive, I read d mannose might interfere with pregnancy. They are even trying to patten a contraceptive using d mannose, lol! I was thinking of using d mannose as a preventative, as many women have had success doing that, but since I want to have a baby... I'll have to try something else when I dont have an infection. Im gonna try a brand of herbal cranberry supplement sold on amazon. One women claims after intercourse she takes 2 pills and a full glass of water and she hasnt had an infection in 10 years.

Im going to continue the d mannose for another week after my symptoms have fully gone. A teaspoon three times a day. Good luck ladies, and I will report back with my progress!!

I took over the reccomended amount every 3 hrs for 2 days and it didn't work I had to get on antibotics. I kept taking it while on antibiotics and the bladder infection still didn't go away. I took the powder and pill form. My mother tried D-Mannose as a preventative and it didn't work for her either. It helped with symptons but didn't cure the infection. Cranberry and ACV didn't work for me either. Next time I get an infection I'm going to try colloidal silver.

So I've read a lot of responses about UTI and D-Mannose. Ive had reoccuring UTI's for four years now and recently antibiotics stopped working when they were successful before.

After doing some research and talking to my family it turns out my entire moms side has been dealing with Candida for years. My Grandfather has been on a candida diet (gluten and sugar free) for 20 years, my cousin couldn't eat anything with sugar or gluten her entire childhood and my Aunt has had numebr after number of UTI's and had to change her diet. My mom has been dealing with UTI like symptoms for several years and has just been diagnosed with a kidney infection, close to kidney failure, because antibiotics wont work and the doctors dont know why.

I was just unsuccessful with my second bout of antibiotics. I was ready to tear my hair own when I read about D-mannose and candida. I have been gluten and sugar free for a week and I feel more awake than I have in a year.

About 10 months ago I had a period of 3-4 months where I was CONSTANTLY fatigued, I mean, I couldn't keep my eyes open at 7pm and couldn't wake up in the morning, my whole day was foggy. During that time I was eating a ton of bread, sugary stuff and drinking a lot of beer and liquor. Since I've cut it out I feel like a new person.

D-mannose or whatever you try may not work as well if you're not adjusting your diet too. I feel like the supplement's have been helping a lot, I don't feel the urge or pain anymore, and I'm not eating anything that fuels the bacteria.

It's worth it to eat right for a couple weeks if it stops the frustration for a long period of time.

Hi,

Prioris, is this Forskolin a prescription drug or what? I never heard of it. THanks

Regarding the post from 2012, can someone provide the name of the product or probiotics that would help. I am in the same boat and any help would be greatly appreciated.

i think she is referring to Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Urinary Tract+

Never had this condition before and had frequent urination (no discharge) for over 6 weeks (all during Xmas) and 3 lots of antibiotics. Finally, found this website and started taking own action. Thanks ladies for your advice. One more thing to add to the discussion in addition to all the other remedies. I decided to drastically change my diet. Cut out all foods with added sugar (yeah, all the nice stuff - cakes, chocolate, etc. ), cut down all yeast foods and replaced with rye bread/flat bread/crackers etc. Replaced regular tea/coffee with decaff and mint tea. Used honey instead of refined sugar. Cranberry juice and water instead of alcohol. It's a toughy but I have to say it's working. I've been free for over a week.. Not long I know but it feels better than nothing. What's more, the weight is coming off too! Don't recommend this forever, but was tired of seeing doctors and thought it time to take myself in hand! Hope this helps. Good luck to you all.

I too, have had to change my diet. Due to the fact that every time I took antibiotics, the UTI would come back right away as soon as I stopped taking them and the antibiotics have caused tendon damage and nerve damage, I had to quit taking them. I have tried many many home remedies, which have helped somewhat, but not cured the UTI. Being Celiac, I have cut out all gluten, all grains, and also sugar and all my food allergies, which are many (including cranberry). Strangely enough, and I would sure like to know if anyone else has found this to be true, weak coffee seems to be the most helpful - always clearing up the urine about 15 minutes after I drink a cup. I know that almost every website on the subject, if not EVERY website, condemns coffee for this but - go figure!

I was glad to see your post as I thought I was crazy. Yes to the weak coffee. That's so interesting! Espresso is not helpful, but drip with lots of fluid is very helpful and I always have an improved stick test. I believe it speeds the delivery of the UTI-herbal-stuff that I put it in, It seems to alleviate the pain and give me a boost over the fatigue.

I've read online that coconut may kill the bacteria that causes UTIs and throat infections. It may help your daughter in other ways too. This information was gleaned from the Coconut Research Center.

Wishing your daughter well!

I had recently read that goldenseal is good for bladder/UT infections. I went to the local pharmacy and picked up a Goldenseal Echineaca blend capsule. I took two capsules three times per day when I first felt symptoms of the UTI. To be thorough, I also bought a home urine test to measure the possibility of UTI. The test measured that I was positive for UTI. After taking the goldenseal for 1 day, I was symptom free. After 2 days, I retook the test and was negative. I continued the goldenseal capsules for 5 days and tapered offer to once per day for a few more days. Symptoms never reappeared and still registered normal on the urine test 2 weeks later.

I also had an experience with symptoms of a yeast infection. I used a douche mixture of one capsule of goldenseal, 1/4 tsp of salt and one cup of water. Douched once and was symptom free w/in one day. However, I followed up with a second douche two days later to be sure and symptoms never resurfaced. Even after my pap smear just one month later, I was clear. I actually mentioned my experience to my doctor. He said its always best to come in to be checked but he is aware of goldenseal's antibiotic properties!

I suffered from boils since I was abouy 13yrs. Over the years the outbreaks have gotten worse. I also suffer with uti's, and while I was trying to find a natural cure for the uti I started taking this natural cranberry sup. called Cystex it is a liquid and 1 tablespoon = 8 glasses of cranberry juice. I took 1tbls. every AM. Not only did it help with my uti's it helped much better for boils. Every time I stopped the Cystex for a couple of weeks or so the boils would come back. I stopped and started 5or 6 times over the past 2yrs. and every time the boils would come back, till finally I said to myself, I need to stay on the Cystex because I'm sick and tired of boils. It is great tasting, and only cost 10.00 for 1 bottle that lasts for about a month. Sometimes it is on sale for 7.99 ea. To me it's worth the 10.00 to be boil free. It's natural and no side effects. Give it a try I'm sure you will see a difference after taking it for a few weeks. Good luck to you, hope it works for you like it does for me.

I find Nutribiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract (tablet form) to work on my UTI's. I also use Miracle II Neutralizer Gel to relieve the burning/itching. It will help in the vaginal area, but for maximum effectiveness, use some type of syringe or applicator to get it further up into the vagina. Make sure you wash the applicator well first.

These two work consistently for me.

Re UTI infection the greatest thing that I have found is De-Mannose it is just magic. Thanks for the other tips re Grapefruit seed.. Is there a special brand? The other thing is to eleminate sugar and fructose. I have just started on the apple cider vinegar how amazing is that with sinus flu have that twice a day and into my infra red sauna what a difference in a day.. Almost gone. What a great site.. jennifer.

I feel better but did not fully cure. I got yet another UTI, and it seemed indomitable. I took Cipro, (The God of antibiotics to cure UTI infections and it seemed to do nothing). I tried a million different things. ACV, Cornsilk tea, and asparagus, (2 cans a day for a week), nothing was working. I began to really worry about having interstitial cystitus, an awful and very debilating condition in which your bladder lining has microscopic cuts, ulcers, and damage, and your not able to eat hardly ANYTHING, and be on a strict diet, (basically vegetables and nothing with citurs or acids) as it will all burn you. Not even vitamins, or sugars are appropriate as these women live with chronic pain, even at night, to where they cant even sleep thru the night. I figured I did something to my bladder drinking all that apple cider vinegar for the last 4 years now, trying to control my reoccuring UTI's, lol!

I finally decided on the 1/2 half teaspoon baking soda in 8 oz of water every two hours for three days recipe. My GOD was this difficult. I drank tons of water, ate very lightly, I DID feel better, and I thought it was working. By the third day, I didnt complete the process cuz I was feeling pretty awful and getting side effects from the constant onslaught of baking soda(headache, dizzyness, just feeling not right, lol! ) I decided to go back to acidying myself again, and I fig, if I have interstitial Cystitus, I will know for sure, if I try this new remedy.

What did work, was taking massive doses of vitamin C. I read somewhere about a women that said this cure was failsafe, and she swears by it.

Take 5 1000mg vitamin C tablets every two to two and a half hours 4 times for one day. So, by the end of the day, you would need to have taken 20, 000mg vitamin c, and lots of water. So every two hours, I took 5 1000mg vitamin c pills for four times all day.

I did this yesterday, and by GOD, I think this has worked. (fingers crossed). The only downside as Ive had burning, acid runs since yesterday morning, but she said this was normal, and worth it if my bladder pain is gone. Fingers crossed I think it mite have worked :)

If it hasnt Im trying D mannose again, and echanacea, as that has worked for me before. OR a new remedy I just read about, 1/2 tsp cream of tarter in a few inches of water, twice a day for three days.

I have not seen the herb Uva Ursi mentioned to help clear women's bladder infections. Uva Ursi leaf (an herbal dietary supplement) is effective with stubborn lower urinary tract infections and kidney (pyelonephritis) infections. Uva Ursi has antimicrobial activity. Uva Ursi contains a glycoside called arbutin, which has an antiseptic effect on the membranes of the urinary tract. As a natural diuretic this herb drains excess water from cells and promotes an antiseptic effect on the kidneys.

It is best to take Uva Ursi leaf as directed on the bottle, with a large glass of water and the juice of half a lemon, lime or baking soad. Fresh lemon juice has alkalizing and anti-bacterial properties. Bacteria can not live an an alkaline environment. Uva Ursi and a cranberry supplement will work in synergy to clear the infection. The enclosed link is a non profit women's health website that includes:

18 mg to 20 mg a day of Vit. C is very little, are you sure this is the right amount Linus Pauling advised? I am waiting for one of his books so I have no idea..... But the advised amount is 60 mg which is also very little, even if you are healthy!

I know a lot of women are like me and have suffered from Uninary Tract Infections (UTI). After about 5 years of taking anitbiotics every few months because of a problem and having doctors tell me to drink more water and cranberry juice with little success, I finally discovered D-mannose. This is the part of cranberry that keeps the bacteria from sticking to the bladder. I take 1000mg (2 capsules) every 4-6 hours if I notice my urine get cloudy and start to feel discomfort. I do this for three days, with large amounts of fluids (water and juice) and then I can take a maintaince dose of 2 each day. As far as I can tell, your body flushes what it doesn't need and it won't upset your stomach like the acid in the cranberry juice.

As you know, UTIs can happen from a variety of exposure and often from sexual activity. Keeping water intake high keeps the system flushed. Also using the restroom after activies helps flush the urinary tract immediately. I've taken many many antibotics for (stronger and stronger) over the five years before discovering d-mannose as my natural remedy.

D-mannose is the only thing that works for me. Now 3oz powder from Amazon is the cheapest. I always have a bottle on hand. One bottle is about 13 bucks and it takes about a bottle to cure, most of the time a little less than a bottle. If you go to the health food store, it will be triple the price, easy, but still a better option than anything else.

Re: Cures for Chronic (8 years) of UTI's

I have been feeling much better and though I must devote some extra energy to keeping myself healthy, the relief is well worth it! Here's what has helped me so far:

ACV- This has been a life saver!! I couldn't find the organic where I live in Mexico, so I just got the regular kind and it still worked wonders. I add a couple tablespoons to a large bottle of water which I sip over several hours. During an acute attack, I would drink a more concentrated solution and continue to drink a lot of water. I say would drink because I seldom experience the severe kind of pain that I used to feel. I can say pretty confidently that ACV has been one of the most helpful things in combatting these issues.

Water- I try to drink about 3 liters a day.

Probiotics- I take a strong probiotic everyday- helps to keep the general area in order, limiting vulvadynia symptoms and also keeps me more regular.

Fiber- speaking of regular... This helps with my bladder and female issues. If I am ever constipated, pushing at all can cause problems down there. I try not to push.

Kegel exercises- I contract the muscles and hold for a few seconds. I do this pretty regularly, but also when I am in the midsts of pain or discomfort. It really does seem to help.

Loose clothing- I used to wear tight jeans, sometimes a thong... Not anymore! I wear lots of skirts or dresses, cotton underwear and I make sure to wear pants and leggings that don't have big seems right through the crotch.

Stress- I know that avoiding stress is difficult at times, but it is paramount to reducing the severity of my health problems. So, I just pay close attention to what my body is telling me. If I am cleaning and start to feel a bit of pressure or stinging, well guess what- its time to stop for the day or maybe I just need to move slower. Lower back strain can make things worse, so I will try to sit more frequently, bend with the knees, that sort of thing. And I only cry when it is really worth it now. I think about whether or not what I am crying over is worth the pain it will cause a short while after. Usually its not. I am not a robot and it may be strange to say I choose not to cry-- but when you cry or worry or panic, the body tenses up and puts pressure on those nether regions. Sometimes the onset of my symptoms was enough to start this chain reaction of worrying and stressing and honestly it made it all much worse. Thinking too much about my symptoms never helped. I do what I know has worked for me and then try to keep calm and distract myself.

Things I try to avoid: sugar, lots of bread, alcohol (I immediately feel stinging in my bladder), really spicy foods, strong chemicals (bleach is the worst for me), pollution, cigarette smoke, lack of sleep.

Ice- I have several ice packs- I wrap one in a hand towel and place it down there when I start to feel swolen or stinging. It's instant relief.

Intimacy-Anything that touches down there must be clean. No after the game, after a long day anything with my husband. And right after, I make sure to pee and then rinse everything off. Maybe it hinders spontanaeity, but not as much as several days of pain.

I hope this is helpful. It's my arsenal and I'm sure that everyone needs to find what is specifically helpful for them. I have gone from having weekly bouts of severe pain, sometimes for several days... To having a problem once every couple of months.The first hint of discomfort and I am combatting it with everything Ive got. I really feel for anyone experiencing ongoing discomfort or pain of any sort and I wish you much peace and relief.

Cranberry pills help great and fast. Had a severe bladder infection, helped within hours. My neighbor had a bladder infection for several months, had taken several different antibiotics, nothing helped. The Cranberry pills worked also wonderfully for her. Cranberry pills are much more potent than Cranberry juice. You can buy them at the foodstore for less than $10

When you have a bladder infection, avoid acidic food like citrus fruit, red meat, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, black tea etc.

D-mannose 100% works. Not only will it blast a UTI away, but it seems to help with other female problems. Minor yeast, etc. I suffer from chronic volvodynia-like symptoms and this really helps it. Works even better in conjunction with citrical(for oxalate levels)and lots of h20. I highly recommend using the powder as the results are better than with the pills. VERY good stuff.