Naturopathic Solutions For Women With Chronic UTIs

No one likes to deal with the itching, burning symptoms of a urinary tract infection, or UTI.

Even though they’re one of the most common infections you can get, some people are just more prone to recurring urinary tract infections.

This is particularly the case for women, who are far more likely to deal with them.

As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, I often speak with patients who deal with UTI after UTI, and I know how frustrating it can be.

Today, let’s take a closer look at UTIs.

What they are, how you can know if you have one, and what you can do about them.

What Is A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

A UTI or urinary tract infection is an infection in the organs that make up your urinary tract.

These include your bladder, kidneys, ureter, and urethra.

Your urinary tract is divided into an upper and lower tract.

The upper tract consists of your kidneys and ureter, and the lower your bladder and urethra.

Symptoms of a UTI can differ depending on which parts of your urinary tract are affected.

UTIs are caused by microscopic organisms, usually bacteria.

They can also sometimes be caused by fungi, and in rare cases, viruses.

How Do You Know If You Have A UTI?

Symptoms of UTIs can differ depending on whether your upper or lower urinary tract is affected.

Lower tract UTIs are more common than those affecting the upper tract, but upper tract infections are usually more severe.

Symptoms of a UTI can include:

• Burning sensation with urination
• Increased frequency of urination without passing much urine
• Increased urgency of urination
• Bloody urine
• Cloudy urine
• Urine that looks like cola or tea
• Pelvic pain

RELATED: What Can Your Pee each You About Your Health?

How Common Are UTIs?

UTIs are one of the most common infections.

In fact, it’s estimated that about 40% of women will have a UTI at some point in their life.

Compare that with only 3% of men.

This study doesn’t distinguish between cisgender and transgender people, however.

It’s likely that both transgender women who have had bottom surgery, and transgender men who haven’t, are at greater risk for UTIs.

However, research on this population is limited.

Is A UTI Serious?

Most UTIs affect the lower urinary tract, which isn’t a big deal if you get treatment for it.

Upper tract UTIs are rarer, but can be much more serious.

If left untreated, bacteria from upper urinary tract infections can move into your bloodstream, causing potentially life threatening complications.

Symptoms of an upper tract UTI can include:

• Pain and tenderness in the upper back and sides
• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

No matter which part of your urinary tract is affected though, no UTI should be ignored or left untreated.

Why Do I Keep Get UTIs?

Anything that irritates your urinary tract or restricts your bladder’s ability to empty can cause a UTI.

There are also a number of other habits and factors that can put you at an increased risk.

Let’s take a look.

1. Your Washroom Habits

If you have a vagina, your urethra is shorter and closer to your anus.

As a result, there’s an increased risk for bacterial infection.

Wiping from front to back after going to the bathroom can reduce the risk of bacterial transmission and help to prevent UTIs.

As well, “holding it” for too long can increase your risk of a UTI.

2. Certain Sexual Activities

Penetrative vaginal sex can put pressure on the urinary tract, causing bacteria to travel into the urethra.

Bacteria can also spread from intimate contact with your partner’s genitals, mouth, hands or from sex toys.

Peeing before and after sex can flush bacteria out of the urethra and help to prevent UTIs.

Practicing good hygiene by washing your vulva, hands and sex toys before and after sex can also help.

Spermicides can disturb the natural microbiome of your vagina and lead to UTIs.

However, spermicides also decrease your risk of pregnancy, so make your choice accordingly.

The friction cause by unlubricated condoms can also contribute to UTI causing bacterial spread.

Using a water based lubricant can help to address this issue.

3. Genetics

Genetics may also be a factor in contracting repeated UTIs.

For example, genetics can cause you to have cells that are more receptive to bacteria.

This can make it less likely that such bacteria will be flushed out of the urethra when urinating.

4. Other Health Concerns

If you have a compromised immune system, you may be more susceptible to UTIs.

This may happen as a result of a health disorder.

But also, if you have an autoimmune disorder like Graves’ disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn’s disease, your doctor may have put you on immune suppressing drugs.

These can leave you more likely to develop recurring infections, such as UTIs.

Other potential risk factors include:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• A history of Kidney stones
• Previous urinary tract surgery

Naturopathic Solutions For UTIs

While UTIs are common, they should never be ignored, regardless of their severity.

The most common medical treatment for UTIs is antibiotics.

Mild UTIs are sometimes able to resolve on their own, without the use of antibiotics.

However, even a mild UTI left untreated can become more serious and lead to significant complications.

However, antibiotics also come with their own side effects.

There are a number of natural interventions that when used appropriately, can help reduce the risk and recurrence of UTIs.

However, it’s still important to get care for your UTI.

If you suspect you have one, book your appointment with me today.

In the meantime, let’s take a look at some naturopathic solutions for UTIs.

1. Drink Cranberry Juice

Cranberry products, including juices and extracts, are some of the most popular choices for the natural treatment of UTIs.

Cranberries contain several chemical compounds that may help to prevent bacteria from adhering to your urinary tract and causing infections.

One of those compounds is D-mannose, a type of simple sugar that is thought to play a significant role in UTI prevention.

While research into the role of D-mannose is promising, studies have been small and are still in their early stages.

Use caution with using large amount of cranberry juice to treat UTIs, however.

After all, it contains a large amount of sugar.

That can cause weight gain and be an issue for people with diabetes.

2. Eat More Garlic

Garlic has a wide variety of health benefits, and is widely used in the traditional medicines of many different cultures.

It’s often used to fight against infections, and its power to do so my lie in a sulphur related compound called allicin.

So go enjoy some Italian, Chinese, or Indian food!

If that’s not to your taste, however, you can always take garlic pills.

3. Drink Herbal Teas

Parsley, chamomile and mint teas may also have the ability to help flush bacteria out of your urinary tract.

Parsley and chamomile teas have a mild diuretic effect as well, which helps to empty the bladder and flush bacteria out of the urethra.

They also have antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties.

Mint is a popular folk remedy for urinary tract infections, and like parsley and chamomile, may have an antibacterial effect that could help to prevent UTIs.

4. Bearberry Leaf

Uva Ursi, or bearberry leaf, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat UTIs.

This flowering shrub grows wild in North America, Europe and parts of Asia.

The plant is a popular snack for bears, leading to the nickname of Bearberry.

The dried leaves can be steeped into a tea after harvest.

You can also take it in tablet or capsule form.

Research as shown that the plant has antimicrobial qualities.

There are also some studies that have shown it can be mildly effective as a UTI treatment.

We don’t yet know how safe it is for long term consumption, however.

Long term use may damage your kidneys or liver.

So before you try this one, be sure to…

Book Your Appointment With Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, Today

From hygiene habits to herbal teas, there are a wide variety of ways to support the health of your urinary tract and help to prevent recurring UTIs.

I’m Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, and I can help you find out how a natural approach to UTI prevention can become a part of your healthy lifestyle.

Book your appointment with me, Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, today.