Have you ever wondered How to Get Rid of Bladder Infections Naturally? Well, I'm here to tell you there is are easy and effective natural remedies that do not involve antibiotics. My experience has been to get rid of a UTI in 24 hours and the pain of a UTI within 6 hours!
Talk about the pits! Yes, a bladder infection is the pits!
If you have ever had one, you know exactly what I mean - burning, pain and the feeling that your insides are gonna fall out when you "go", "potty", "tinkle" or whatever term you use!
I haven't had too many bladder infections but I did have one recently and my stand-by remedy, drinking cranberry juice, did not work!
Of course, it happened on a weekend which turned out to be a blessing because had I been able, I would have gone to the doctor!
Instead, I found out how to get rid of bladder infections naturally, a natural solution for bladder infections that worked like a charm!
Just to cover myself, I am sharing what has worked for me and am not giving medical advice. I am not a doctor but I do prefer to treat with natural remedies if possible and I love sharing what has worked for me.
Here is some trivia for you:
Did you know that bladder infections are more common in women than men?
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates 40 to 60 percent of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime.
This maybe due to the short urethra in women. The urethra is the tube that is about 1 ½ inches long and carries the urine out of the body.
The urethra's short length makes it easy for bacteria to travel from outside the body to the bladder.
Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms - What is a Bladder Infection?
Before I tell you how to get rid of bladder infections naturally, let's look at what a bladder infection is.
Urinary Tract Infection or UTI is an infection affecting the urinary tract. (NIH)
If the infection occurs in the lower part of the urinary tract it is called cystitis or a bladder infection.
Occurring in the upper part of the urinary tract, it is called pyelonephritis or a kidney infection.
If a bladder infection is left untreated, it can travel up the ureters and into the kidneys. This is a serious condition and medical help should be sought at once.
So, early detection is key to getting rid of a bladder infection naturally.
It is important to treat early and distinguish between an upper and lower urinary tract infection.
So, what is the difference?
Signs and Symptoms of a Bladder Infection
- Painful urination
- Burning upon urination
- Frequent urination
- The feeling of urgency and need to urinate but unable to
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Low grade fever
- Sources include Healthline, MayoClinic, WebMD
Signs and Symptoms of a Kidney Infection
- All of the above
- Fever above 101F
- Chills
- Pain in the side, back or groin
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or mental changes (especially in the elderly)
- Sources include NIH, WebMD, Health24
Causes of Bladder Infections
- Most bladder infections are caused by bacteria entering the urethra and travelling into the bladder.
- The bacteria Escherichia coli (E. Coli) is responsible for most bladder infections. Although harmless where it normally resides in the small intestine, E. Coli becomes a problem when it spreads to the urinary tract.
- After menopause, women have an increased risk of bladder infections. This may be due to a decrease in estrogen, which may result in a reduction of the number of beneficial bacteria in the vagina that help keep harmful bacteria in check.
- The bladder also becomes less elastic with age and may not completely empty - this allows for bacterial growth.
- Antibiotics eliminate the beneficial bacteria and allow an overgrowth of E. Coli in the vagina increasing the risk of bladder infections.
- Coffee and other caffeinated beverages in large quantities irritate the urinary tract and promote bladder infections.
- Pregnancy - up to 10% of pregnant women have bacteria in their urine which increases the chance of a bladder infection.
- Sources: Healthline, MayoClinic, Medical News Today
How to Get Rid of Bladder Infections Naturally
Cranberry Juice:
My go-to natural cure for bladder infections has always been to drink a bottle of cranberry juice throughout the day - at least one glass every hour and more if I could.
Until my last bladder infection, this had always worked.
Cranberry juice contains compounds that may prevent E. coli cells from attaching to cells in the urinary tract. (NCBI)
Cranberry juice also contains antioxidants, including polyphenols, which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. (MedicalNewsToday)
Healthline in an overview of natural remedies for bladder infections references a study in JamaNetwork which concludes:
Conclusions Our findings indicate that cranberry-containing products are associated with protective effect against UTIs.
I tried the cranberry capsules but they did not work as well as just drinking the cranberry juice.
Apple Cider Vinegar for UTI
But, then I tried raw apple cider vinegar.
With my last bladder infection, however, cranberry juice did not work so, I tried apple cider vinegar.
I drank 2 tablespoon (more if I felt that I could stomach it) of raw apple cider vinegar in an 8 oz. glass of water every hour.
The results were amazing!
Getting Rid of UTI in 24 Hours!
After the first hour, I had no more pain when I urinated (pottyed, peed...) but I continued drinking throughout the afternoon.
The next day, I drank the same mixture (2 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar in water) three times - morning, noon, night.
The third day, I drank the mixture in the morning and at night. And that was it! How easy can it get?
It is important to use raw apple cider vinegar (affiliate link).
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI):
Apple cider vinegar has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans
How to Get Rid of Bladder Infections Naturally Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
- 8 oz water
- Optional - honey to taste
Directions
Mix the apple cider vinegar and water and drink it all following the notes below.
- Day 1: Mix 2 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar in 8oz of water and drink - each hour, repeat with another 2 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar and water.
- Day 2: If symptoms have subsided - drink the above mixture three times during the day. If symptoms have not subsided - drink the above mixture each hour.
- Day 3: If no symptoms - drink the apple cider vinegar and water in the morning and again in the evening.
- If symptoms continue - seek medical attention.
- **Raw apple cider vinegar has many health benefits so if you can stomach swallowing more than 2 tablespoon the first day, by all means increase the dose but, 2 tablespoon worked for me.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
It's basically fermented apple juice, but not the sugary kind you see in cardboard boxes. This is the real stuff, fermented with all kind of healthy bacteria.
The raw apple cider vinegar has the "mother" in it and you will see the sediment in the bottom of the jar. This is the healthy bacteria that can help your body, which is responsible for its health benefits. Don't get any apple cider vinegar that doesn't contain it!
Again, it is Important to Catch a Bladder Infection Early.
According to Medical News Today,
By some estimates, 25–42 percent of uncomplicated UTI infections clear on their own. In these cases, people can try a range of home remedies to speed up recovery.
Although the incidence is low, if left untreated a bladder infection can travel up into the kidneys.
So, if I were still having symptoms after a couple of days of treatment with raw apple cider vinegar, I would go to the doctor for medical help.
Up this point, the apple cider vinegar treatment has worked and I have not needed to visit the doctor! I'm so glad to have found a natural solution to a natural problem!
What About Re-curring Bladder Infections?
This is a question I asked my urologist because while the apple cider vinegar works like a charm, I would rather not go through the pain of having an infection at all!
My urologist told me that to help keep UTI’s away (especially in people that have them frequently) is to have a glass of lemonade made with fresh lemon juice - twice a week each week at the same time. They should be space out as evenly during the week as possible.
The juice for the lemonade can be from a fresh lemon or even the green bottle of real lemon juice. He said that many of his patients just go to Chick-fil-A twice a week and get their lemonade since it is made with real lemon juice.
And, it should be completely consumed within an hour.
It is important to get rid of the infection which is what the apple cider vinegar can do and the lemonade changes the pH of the bladder enough so the bacteria is unable to live.
What's your favorite natural solution? Did this one work for you? Tell me all about it in the comments!
linda spiker says
Great info! Cranberry juice alone never worked for me. BUT a product called Answer UTI a thick cranberry syrup gave me relief in less than a half hour. Unfortunately is didn't get rid of the infection, but the symptoms were gone! Hopefully I won't ever need your method but if I do, I have it pinned!
Dina-Marie says
Linda, I am glad you have something that works for the symptoms but the apple cider vinegar actually got rid of the infection too!
Geraldine says
I will try apple cider for my u.t.I
talese says
I currently have/had a UTI, so many words to describe the discomfort beyond painful. I have a schedule that prevents me from getting into my dr durning the day, so I went searching on the web for alternatives ways to treat it naturally. I stumbled across your article and I couldn't be happier. I take brags apple cider vinegar everyday anyway for weight loss, so imagine my expression when I saw I can take it for a UTI!!! last night was horrible I had trouble sleeping popped a pain pill but still woke up with the same pain of course. I started taking your recommendation today, and already I feel back to normal!!! I couldn't thank you enough for your helpful information.
Dina-Marie says
Talese, I am so glad! Isn't it funny that something so easy can work so well!!!!
Amber says
Can any tell me how many hours you drank the mixture for?
Dina-Marie says
Amber, I am not sure what you mean. The Epsom salt mixture is only take twice and the olive oil/lemon juice mixture is taken once.
Amber says
No the apple cider for uti you said you took it every hour but for how many?
Dina-Marie says
I'm sorry, Amber, I thought you were asking about the gallbladder cleanse. You drink apple cider vinegar each hour until you feel relief and then I begin to taper off of it.
Vy Bui says
Hi Dina-Marie
I just got UTI on Sartuday night, it was painful, couldn't sleep, so Search web for a natural remedy that could help me got through the night. Found your post about ACV & UTI, and really want to try, since I always have AVC in the kitchen, as I use AVC everyday as my detox liquid. Amazingly, after following your direction, my pain is 90% gone after 1st 8oz of water & AVC, & the next hour of drinking I was be able to sleep through the night. I only need to drink 3 times the next day. For the first time ever, I could survive UTI without antibiotic.
Just want to let you know about my results after following your remedy, and this will be one of method I use to fight with UTI, to avoid antibiotics.
Thanks a lot for sharing this with everyone.
Dina-Marie says
Vy, I am so glad it helped! I know it is amazing and has kept me off antibiotics too!
Gay says
I've had good luck using D-Mannose capsules when I get a UTI. Fortunately I haven't had one in a long time :)
Dina-Marie says
Gay, I'm glad you have something that works. It is nice to know that something I have on hand all the time works!
Hester says
what is "raw" apple cider vinegar? I do have a very irritable bladder and do get cystitis easily!
Dina-Marie says
Hester, raw apple cider vinegar is unfiltered and unpasterurized (not heated). It contains the enzymes of the "mother" which are strands that contain protein molecules. If you are familiar with kombucha and its "mother", ACV is similiar. Here is what I use: Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (affiliate link)
Mildred Bolam says
Do it, it worked for me. If stomach upset, try zantac over the counter. Not the Prilosec or other stuff, too many law suits on that stuff. Clean,clean, clean.
Dina-Marie says
Mildred, I am so glad it worked!
Ms Carroll Tillman says
i have had utis in the pass however instead of using cranberry juice I will be using your recipe. I try to always use natural products they have kept me well for lots and lots of years. Thanks for your new information.
Dina-Marie says
Carroll, I hope it helps you as it has me!
Rachel says
Greetings. Looking for a natural remedy to my 3 year olds UTI. This her second and the prescribed antibiotic is doing little to help. Do you think I could give her a lower dose of the raw apple cider vinegar? Thinking I'll have to disguise it in juice as she doesn't like cranberry juice unless it's mixed with something else. Thank you.
sarah says
dear rachel, i understand this is almost a year later, i was reading through these comments and wanted to let you know that their is a condition called hydronephrosis of the kidneys with reflux that can cause continuing uti's in children. it is easily overlooked, i would ask for a referral to a urologist as this condition when left untreated, can cause kidney failure. my son has it.
Dina-Marie says
Thank you, Sarah, for your comment and I hope it helps Rachel and others!
Griselda says
Hello Dina-Marie!
Thank you so much for all the information .
Like you I got a UTI on a weekend and wanted to use natural remedies as I don't like prescription drugs.
I used to have UTI every 8 weeks when I was in my 20's for 4 years.
My prescription was antibiotics as I didn't know any better. After a while the antibiotics did not work even though higher dosages were prescribed. An incision on the urethra was performed. And this did the trick . Now 24 years later it appeared again. Thank goodness for the Apple Cider Vinager and Bicarbonate soda( to relief the burning sensation) . Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I won't be taking antibiotics as the symptoms have subsided. If they come back , I may have to see the doctor. Griselda . Adelaide , Australia .
Rhondanda says
Thank you so much I haven't used it yet but I am as we speak,I don't know y I didn't think of this,I use white vinegar for cleaning every thing, it make alot of sense to use it to clean out the bladder cause that's what really is being done,I would think thanks again for your selfless sharing of this :-) :-) :-) :-)
David says
I believe I have a uti, for the first time in my life, and man, oh, man this is horrible! I have constant feeling like I need to urinate, it burns, and I just got a divorce which means I lost my medical insurance. I read about ACV, and I guzzled some. Probably not smart, but this hurts lol.
Now my stomach is killing me, and my tract burns haha.. Hoping this quits soon. Thanks for the info too.
Dina-Marie says
David, I hope it will help your UTI!
David says
It actually did in just a few days. I tried the ACV and water mix and it was horrible, so I decided that a quick swigg of the ACV, then chased it with a large glass of water lol..
Thank you so much!
Sharing this page on my facebook.
LV says
David, never drink ACV straight my dear! I needs to be diluted!
Anabela says
This is not true. You can drink it undiluted. Maybe not 2 tbsp at a time, but 1 tbsp is fine
Dina-Marie says
Anabela, I agree with you! Thanks for the comment!
Monique says
This is very true. One tablespoon at a time will do. If your stomach becomes upset just boil ginger root. It will smooth the gut. Dina-Marie thank you for sharing. Sharing is caring.
Sending blessings your way.
Helen says
Can I use reg apple cider vinegar until I get the raw one? Would it help?
Dina-Marie says
Helen, I would definitely try it but raw apple cider will be more effective and faster acting.
Camille says
I wanted to say thank you for such a great article. I have had bladder infections over the years, and now I have another bladder infection and the symptoms were driving me mad, worse than the other bladder infections that I have had. When I tried your recipe I found relief straightaway, I will keep on going with it for at least 3 days though. Thank you from Camille in Australia!!!
Dina-Marie says
Camille, thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know - it is very encouraging!