Treating Urinary Tract Infections Naturally

Written by Institute for Natural Medicine Staff

Medically Reviewed by Sarah Hung, ND, MSOM, LAc

Published April 25, 2025
Last Updated April 27, 2025

About one in three women will have a urinary tract infection (UTI) at least once in their lifetime. UTIs are the most common outpatient infection among women, especially those over 65.¹^,² Although UTIs are less prevalent in men, male infants and older men are also at risk.¹

Some UTIs resolve on their own, but many require treatment to address uncomfortable symptoms and prevent serious health complications, such as widespread infection or kidney damage.³

Recognizing UTI symptoms

A urinary tract infection, also known as a bladder infection or cystitis, occurs when harmful bacteria enter the urinary tract. Five hallmark symptoms play a key role in diagnosing a UTI:

Pain or burning during urination
Frequent urgent need to urinate
Feeling the need to urinate even with an empty bladder
Blood in the urine
Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen

A physical exam and urine test may be necessary to confirm infection and inform treatment.

Types of UTIs

Medical practitioner shows anatomical diagram of bladder

UTIs are generally classified as uncomplicated or complicated. Complicated UTIs may be resistant to treatment and tend to have more serious outcomes. These infections are more likely to affect males, pregnant women, and people who are immunocompromised.⁴

Complicated UTIs may also be associated with kidney stones, kidney infections, catheter use, urinary obstruction, and sepsis.⁴

UTIs are known to recur, with nearly 30 percent of women experiencing another episode in six months to a year. Recurrent UTIs are defined as two infections within a six-month period or three over the course of a year.⁵

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Standard treatments

Antibiotics are the typical first line of treatment. Medication may be prescribed as a single dose or spread over a three- to six-day period. For example, fosfomycin is taken only once; a three-day course of sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim is considered a mini-dose; and nitrofurantoin is usually prescribed for five days.³

About 20 percent of UTIs resolve without medicine, especially when patients increase their fluid intake.³

For people with recurring infections, longer use of low-dose nitrofurantoin (6 to 12 months) may be beneficial.³ Vaginal estrogen therapy can also lower recurrence risk. In a study of more than 5,600 women whose average age was 70, vaginal estrogen reduced recurrence by more than 50 percent.⁶

Naturopathic approaches

Naturopathic treatment may start with natural remedies, lifestyle adjustments, and dietary support to ease symptoms and prevent future infections.

“Naturopathic doctors use natural therapies to help lessen the need for antibiotics,” explains oncologist Heather Wright, ND, FABNO, creator of Good Apple Wellness Co. “This judicious approach to treatment may also help reduce the risk of antibiotic overuse and antibiotic resistance, which is a key concern.”

Although natural remedies can be effective initially, it’s important to recognize when specific medical care, like antibiotics, are needed.

“If a patient has symptoms for two days, used the natural approaches suggested, and symptoms have not resolved, it’s time to start an antibiotic without delay,” says Dr. Wright. “If symptoms are not controlled or worsen after a three- to five-day course of antibiotics, it’s prudent to run a urine culture.”

Urine cultures detect bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms, confirming the presence of infection and guiding appropriate treatment.³

Natural therapies can also be used alongside antibiotics to provide enhanced relief and minimize side effects. “Co-administration of probiotics during antibiotic treatment is safe, will not interfere with the efficacy of antibiotics, and has shown clinical value in human studies,” notes Dr. Wright.

Antibiotic alternatives

As antibiotic-resistant UTIs become increasingly common, there’s a pressing need for safe and effective natural alternatives. Non-drug treatment options could address the prevalence of resistant infections.⁷

In addition to lifestyle and hygiene habits, supplementation can help prevent UTIs. One study found that probiotics, D–mannose, and cranberry products reduced UTI incidence by 76 percent, while antibiotic use decreased by more than 90 percent.⁸

Vitamin C has also shown promise in UTI prevention and treatment, although further human trials are needed.⁹ A small pilot study found that combining vitamin C with cranberries and Lactobacillus rhamnosus helped reduce symptoms and lower the risk of recurrence.¹⁰

D–mannose, a natural sugar compound found in fruits and available as a dietary supplement, is another evidence-backed option for UTI prevention and treatment.¹¹^,¹² “I have found D–mannose to be useful in my clinical practice over the years,” says Dr. Wright.

Cranberry, a foundational natural remedy

Among the most well-researched natural therapies for UTIs are cranberry supplements. Eighteen studies showed antimicrobial cranberry juice reduced UTI rates by 54 percent (compared with no treatment), resulting in a 49 percent reduction in antibiotic use.⁷ When choosing cranberry juice, it’s important to opt for unsweetened varieties. A high sugar content could disrupt the body’s bacterial balance and even worsen infections.

An analysis of 50 randomized clinical trials found that cranberry tablets and capsules also significantly reduced UTI occurrence in women with repeat infections, children with UTIs, and people at higher risk.¹³ In a six-month multicenter randomized controlled trial, women with a history of UTIs experienced a 52 percent drop in recurrence after taking cranberry powder supplements.¹⁴

Probiotics are a powerful prevention ally

“Probiotics work by supporting the restoration of healthy vaginal and gut flora, which helps inhibit growth of uropathogens and reduces risk of recurrent infections,” notes Dr. Wright. “I typically recommend a morning and evening dose of probiotics for three to five days alongside antibiotic therapy, while I counsel patients on other factors involved in their overall health.”¹⁵

According to Dr. Wright, effective probiotic strains for UTIs include Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR–1, Lactobacillus reuteri RC–14, Lactobacillus crispatus CTV–05, Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, and Lactobacillus paracasei LPC09.

Don’t forget hydration

Liquids are an ongoing prevention tool and just as crucial during active infection to help flush out bacteria. Dr. Wright recommends drinking 70 to 80 ounces of pure water daily to support urinary tract health and reduce UTI risk.

Eight habits to change now

Preventing urinary tract infections starts with understanding the eight common factors that increase risk:

Inadequate hydration (even mild dehydration)
High consumption of sugar, starch, and refined carbohydrates
Frequent intercourse or use of assistive devices, especially when not urinating afterward
Spermicide or diaphragm use
Improper hygiene, such as incorrect wiping
Wearing tight underwear or wet clothing for extended periods
Delaying urination
Ongoing or chronic stress

With a thoughtful approach that includes dietary changes, proper hygiene, natural remedies, and antibiotics when needed, UTIs can be effectively prevented and managed.

Footnotes

1
Medina M, Castillo-Pino E. An introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections. Ther Adv Urol. 2019;11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756287219832172
2
Ackerson BK, Tartof SY, Chen LH, et al. Risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infections among women in a large integrated health care organization in the United States. J Infect Dis. 2024 Nov 15;230(5):e1101-e1111. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiae331
3
Bono MJ, Leslie SW, Reygaert WC. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections. StatPearls. 2023;Nov 13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470195
4
Sabih A, Leslie SW. Complicated urinary tract infections. StatPearls. 2024;Dec 7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436013
5
Alghoraibi H, Asidan A, Aljawaied R, et al. Recurrent urinary tract infection in adult patients, risk factors, and efficacy of low dose prophylactic antibiotics therapy. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2023;13:200-211. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44197-023-00105-4
6
Tan-Kim J, Shah NM, Do D, Menefee SA. Efficacy of vaginal estrogen for recurrent urinary tract infection prevention in hypoestrogenic women. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023;229(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2023.05.002
7
Moro C, Phelps C, Veer V, et al. Cranberry juice, cranberry tablets, or liquid therapies for urinary tract infection: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Eur Urol Focus. 2024;10(6):947-957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.002
8
Aggarwal N, Leslie SW. Recurrent urinary tract infections. StatPearls. 2025;Jan 20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557479
9
Ochoa-Brust GJ, Fernndez AR, Villaneuva-Riuz GJ, et al. Daily intake of 100 mg ascorbic acid as urinary tract infection prophylactic agent during pregnancy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2010. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016340701273189
10
Montorsi F, Gandaglia G, Salonia A, et al. Effectiveness of a combination of cranberries, Lactobaccilus rhamnosus, and vitamin C for the management of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: results of a pilot study. Eur Urol. 2016;70(6):912-915. https://www.europeanurology.com/article/S0302-2838(16)30250-0/fulltext
11
Salvatore S, Ruffolo A, Stabile G, et al. A randomized controlled trial comparing a new D-mannose-based dietary supplement to placebo for the treatment of uncomplicated Escherichia coli urinary tract infections. Eur Urol Focus. 2023;9(4):654-659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2022.12.013
12
Ala-Jaakkola R, Laitila A, Ouwehand AC, Lehtoranta L. Role of D-mannose in urinary tract infections—a narrative review. J Nutr. 2022. https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-022-00769-x
13
Williams G, Stothart CI, Hahn D, et al. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane. 2023. https://www.cochrane.org/CD001321/RENAL_cranberries-preventing-urinary-tract-infections
14
Stonehouse W, Benassi-Evans B, Bednarz J, Vincent AD. Whole cranberry fruit powder supplement reduces the incidence of culture-confirmed urinary tract infections in females with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection: a 6-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.01.022
15
Gupta V, Mastromarino P, Garg R. Effectiveness of prophylactic oral and/or vaginal probiotic supplementation in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2024;78(5):1154-1161. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciad766

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Treating Urinary Tract Infections Naturally

In this article:

Recognizing UTI symptoms

Types of UTIs

Standard treatments

Naturopathic approaches