How to Treat Urinary Tract Infection: Medications & Remedies

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the human body.

Research indicates that 50% to 60% of adult women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime.

While the burning sensation and urgency can be unbearable, the good news is that UTIs are highly treatable. However, waiting for them to go away on their own is risky. 

Hence, understanding the right urinary tract infection treatment and distinguishing between a cure and temporary relief is important to prevent the infection from spreading to your kidneys.

Here is a medical breakdown of medications, home remedies, and prevention strategies to help you safely flush the infection out. Also, if you’re seeing any symptoms of a UTI, immediately consult a gynaecologist. Getting medical assistance will help you take the right step at the right time.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria enter your urinary system and multiply, causing an infection.

Your urinary system includes the kidneys, bladder, and the tubes connecting them. Under normal conditions, this system is sterile (bacteria-free). However, bacteria (usually E. coli) from the digestive tract can sometimes enter through the urethra (the tube where urine exits) and travel up into the bladder.

Once inside, these bacteria attach to the lining of the bladder and cause inflammation (swelling). This irritation of the bladder wall is exactly what causes the pain, the burning sensation, and the constant urge to urinate. Recognising these early symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection is important for seeking quick relief.

Most infections occur in the lower tract (the bladder and urethra). However, if left untreated, the bacteria can travel further up the ureters and infect the kidneys, which is a more serious condition.

What Are the Types of Urinary Tract Infection?

To treat it, you must know where it is. Types of urinary tract infection are categorised based on where they’re located:

1. Cystitis (Bladder Infection): The most common type. Symptoms include frequent urge to pee, burning pain, and lower belly discomfort.

2. Urethritis (Urethra Infection): Inflammation of the tube that carries urine out. Often caused by STIs or bacteria spreading from the anus.

3. Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection): A serious complication where the infection moves upstream. Signs include high fever, chills, and back pain.

What are urinary tract infection medications?

When looking for a cure, antibiotics are effective and efficient. Home remedies can manage pain, but they cannot kill the bacteria causing the infection.

1. Antibiotics (The Cure)

Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics based on the bacteria found in your urine culture.

• Common Drugs: Nitrofurantoin or Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

• Duration: Simple infections are usually treated for 3 to 5 days. Complicated ones may require 7-14 days.

  Note: You must finish the entire course, even if the pain stops after Day 2. Stopping early allows resistant bacteria to survive and return stronger.

2. Pain Relievers (The Comfort)

To manage the cramping and burning while antibiotics start working, you may take these medications to relax the bladder muscles. However, please ask your gynaecologist beforehand.

• Antispasmodics: Drugs like Drotaverine or Valethamate help relieve the painful spasms of the urinary tract.

3. Probiotics (The Recovery)

Antibiotics can sometimes disrupt the good bacteria in your body. Hence, taking a probiotic supplement can help restore your normal bacterial flora. This is important for maintaining a healthy balance and preventing secondary issues, like yeast infections or digestive upset, during or after your antibiotic course.

Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedies: Do They Work?

While antibiotics do the heavy lifting, urinary tract infection home remedies are excellent for speeding up recovery and soothing discomfort.

1. Hydration is Key

Drinking 2-3 litres of water daily helps dilute your urine and ensures you urinate frequently. This mechanically flushes the bacteria out of your system before they can multiply further.

2. Having Cranberry Juice

Cranberries contain a compound called proanthocyanidins, which prevents E. coli bacteria from sticking to your bladder walls. Think of it as making the lining of your bladder too slippery for the bacteria to grab onto.

This makes unsweetened cranberry juice helpful for preventing or managing those very first signs of discomfort. Even supplements (like D-Mannose) may help in prevention. However, once an infection has fully set in, cranberries cannot kill the already existing bacteria.

They are great for protection, but they are not a substitute for antibiotics when you have a full-blown infection.

3. Apply Heat

A heating pad placed on your lower abdomen can help relax the bladder muscles. It can relieve the cramping pressure often associated with UTIs.

4. Probiotics

Fermented foods (like yoghurt) or probiotic supplements promote "good" bacteria (Lactobacilli). This helps maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the vagina, making it harder for "bad" bacteria to take over.

Is Urinary Tract Infection Contagious?

This is a very common worry. The answer to is urinary tract infection contagious is: No.

You cannot pass a UTI to your partner through sexual intercourse like an STD.

However, the bacteria that cause the UTI (like E. coli) can be transferred between partners. Hygiene is really important to prevent re-infecting yourself or introducing new bacteria.

How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections?

If you suffer from recurrent infections, changing your daily habits is the best urinary tract infection treatment.

Conclusion

A UTI is one of the most manageable infections if caught early. The combination of the right urinary tract infection medication and smart lifestyle choices can end UTI in a few days.

Remember, while water and cranberries are great allies, they are not a substitute for medical care. If you feel that burn, consult a doctor immediately to protect your kidneys.

Struggling with frequent UTIs? Click here to chat with a Pinky Promise expert and build a long-term prevention plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How long does a UTI last with treatment?

With the right antibiotic, you should start feeling better within 24 to 48 hours. The infection is usually completely cleared within 3 to 7 days, depending on the severity.

Q: Why do I keep getting UTIs?

Recurrent UTIs can be caused by anatomy, sexual activity, genetics, or menopause. If you have 3 or more infections in a year, you may need a low-dose preventative antibiotic or vaginal estrogen therapy (if menopausal).

Q: Can stress cause a UTI?

Stress doesn't directly cause a UTI, but it weakens your immune system. A weaker immune system struggles to fight off the bacteria that enter your urinary tract, making you more susceptible to infection.

Q: Can a UTI go away on its own without medication?

Most UTIs do not go away on their own. Ignoring the symptoms, hoping they will pass, allows the bacteria to multiply and travel up to your kidneys, which can turn a simple bladder infection into a serious, life-threatening condition. If your symptoms last more than 24 hours, you likely need antibiotics.

Q: What are the main causes of a UTI?

The primary cause is bacteria (usually E. coli from the digestive tract) getting into the urinary tract. Common triggers include sexual activity (which can push bacteria into the urethra), holding your urine for too long (allowing bacteria to grow), dehydration, and wiping from back to front. Hormonal changes during menopause and pregnancy also increase the risk.