8 Natural Home Remedies for a UTI, According to Women’s Health Experts

Home remedies for urinary tract infections (UTIs) can offer symptom relief, may prevent recurrent infections, and can potentially help keep a UTI from getting worse. However, natural remedies can’t cure a UTI. “All UTIs require antibiotics to prevent progression to more serious infection,” says David Sheyn, MD, assistant professor of urology and reproductive biology at Case Western Reserve University. 

This is because UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urethra, most commonly the bacteria E. coli, explains Erin Higgins, MD, OB/GYN at Cleveland Clinic. E. coli is part of our normal gut microbiome, and while some strains can cause stomach problems like diarrhea, these issues generally resolve on their own with home care.

E. coli in the urinary tract is a different story. This infection can trigger symptoms like burning with urination, increased frequency and urgency of urination, and sometimes lower abdominal pain, says Eman Elkadry, MD, Chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at Tufts Medical Center. “In some cases, there may be blood in the urine as well.”

UTIs are more common in women because the urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to make their way in. At least half of women will experience a UTI—and, according to 2025 research published in StatPearls, about 26% get recurrent UTIs, or another infection within six months of initial UTI treatment. 

So, having a UTI just once is considered a major risk factor for getting subsequent infections. Other risk factors for UTIs include:

• Sexual activity
• Changes to the vaginal microbiome (the balance of good and bad bacteria)
• Poor hygiene 
• Age 
• Low-hydration status
• Pregnancy 

If UTI bacteria aren’t treated with antibiotics, they can move toward the kidneys, leading to more severe issues such as kidney infection or sepsis, Dr. Sheyn explains.

Why consider natural home remedies for a UTI?

While more studies are needed, 2024 research in Frontiers in Microbiology suggests that home remedies may help enhance the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment. The researchers say this complementary approach is important to explore as concerns over antibiotic resistance mount. 

Always finishing your course of antibiotics, even if you feel better, is definitely important, Dr. Higgins says. “This can help decrease the likelihood of resistance.” However, the Frontiers in Microbiology researchers emphasize that “prevention is better than cure” in tackling antibiotic resistance. While natural home remedies won’t cure a UTI, they may help prevent recurrent infections. 

“I do suggest [certain home remedies] to my patients to prevent UTIs because it can be helpful in some, and they do feel they are managing their symptoms,” Dr. Elkadry says. “They are not harmful or linked with any adverse events. However, more robust data is needed to definitively show how useful they are and which types of patients benefit.” 

While there’s little risk associated with natural UTI treatments, there’s a lot of risk in using them in place of medical treatment with antibiotics. “An untreated UTI can progress to a kidney infection—this is a serious infection that usually involves hospitalization for IV antibiotics,” Dr. Higgins reminds us. 

Still, these natural remedies may support clinical treatment, offer comfort, and should be considered “more preventive than treatment,” Dr. Elkadry says. And as recurrent UTIs are so common, prevention measures are an important key to maintaining urinary tract health.

1. Water

It doesn’t get more all-natural than good old H2O. “There is some evidence that for an early infection, extra hydration may help eliminate bacteria and help stop progression of a UTI,” Dr. Elkadry says. According to 2025 research published in StatPearls, mild UTIs resolve in about 20% of women with increased hydration. 

This intervention poses little risk, Dr. Elkadry says, and if symptoms improve, you may be able to avoid antibiotics. 

However, water alone can’t flush out a full-blown urinary tract infection. “If symptoms continue to progress or worsen, then treatment should be initiated.” But staying hydrated may still help reduce symptom duration, Dr. Sheyn explains. 

There is also some evidence that increasing fluid intake can help prevent recurrent UTIs, Dr. Elkadry adds. 

2. Unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry supplements

“Cranberries, in particular, have compounds that may help prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall,” says Navya Mysore, MD, the Medical Director of Women’s Health at Nurx. However, the best evidence shows this process works for UTI prevention, not treatment, Dr. Sheyn explains. 

Importantly, you want to avoid cranberry juice with a high sugar content and low concentration of the active ingredient (a compound called proanthocyanidins, or PACs). Look for pure, unsweetened juice or capsules, Dr. Sheyn says.

“Cranberry supplements at a dose of 500 to 1,000 milligrams [taken] two times a day have been shown to decrease the risk of E. coli infections in particular,” he says.

3. D-mannose supplements

D-mannose is a sugar that may prevent E. coli from adhering to bladder walls, Dr. Sheyn explains. It’s available as a supplement. “There is promising research on D-mannose for UTI prevention, particularly for people with frequent infections,” Dr. Mysore says. 

In fact, “Several small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show potential benefit for [UTI] prevention, similar to antibiotics in some cases,” says Dr. Sheyn. 

For instance, one 2022 study published in the journal Antibiotics found that when treating uncomplicated UTIs with D-mannose for a week, the cure rate was 87%—similar to the cure rate of antibiotics. However, the sample size in this study is small (23 patients treated with D-mannose), and the study was not randomized. 

That’s why the experts say that more robust data is needed. “Larger studies do not show a benefit,” Dr. Sheyn says. “But it is safe and there is no harm in using it.” 

4. Probiotics

Probiotics—particularly products with the strain Lactobacillus—support the urinary/genital microbiome, especially in women with frequent UTIs, Dr. Sheyn says. 

A 2024 study published in Microbiological Research found that taking a probiotic alongside standard antibiotic treatment helped prevent UTI recurrence in 75% of women—compared to 33% of women who did not take a probiotic. 

Dr. Elkadry says that researchers suggest probiotics for UTIs are more effective if placed vaginally. But for everyday microbiome care, getting probiotics through your diet (or an oral supplement) may help with prevention. “Probiotic-rich foods [such as] yogurt, kefir, or fermented vegetables support healthy vaginal and gut flora, which can reduce UTI risk,” Dr. Sheyn explains. 

5. Vitamin C

Vitamin C-rich foods, like citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, make urine more acidic, which creates an environment that inhibits bacterial growth, Dr. Sheyn says. 

Vitamin C also has potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which, together with its urine-acidifying effect, may enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics, according to 2025 research published in Biomolecules. Vitamin C may also work collaboratively with probiotics to keep harmful bacteria in the urinary tract at bay. However, the researchers note that more research is needed to understand optimal dosing and long-term outcomes. 

That said, foods rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, like berries, citrus fruits, and leafy greens, are known to support overall immune system health, Dr. Mysore says. 

However, people who are susceptible to kidney stones should be careful when using supplemental vitamin C, Dr. Elkary advises. High supplemental doses can increase the risk of developing kidney stones in some people. (But dietary vitamin C from food does not pose this same risk.) 

6. Uva ursi 

Uva ursi (also known as bearberry) is an herbal extract that has been used in Native American traditional medicine for UTI treatment. Evidence is limited, Dr. Sheyn says, but some antibacterial and diuretic properties have been shown in lab studies per LiverTox.

A 2025 review of research published in the European Journal of Medicinal Plants highlights a study showing that Uva ursi reduced the need for antibiotic use in treating women with uncomplicated UTIs. However, participants experienced more symptoms when taking Uva ursi. The plant may also pose safety risks to the liver and kidneys. 

The researchers say that while Uva ursi shows promise in treating UTIs, more rigorous clinical trials are needed. “[Uva ursi] can be toxic in high doses or with long-term use,” explains Dr. Sheyn. “It’s not recommended without medical supervision”—advice the researchers also emphasize. 

7. Garlic 

Laboratory data shows that garlic has antimicrobial effects, Dr. Sheyn says, but there’s limited human data for UTIs specifically.

However, a 2024 review of research published in Health Sciences Review says that Allium sativum—an antibacterial compound found in garlic—may be an effective urinary tract protectant. It points to a study that found 100% fresh garlic extract can control the growth of E. coli and other UTI-causing bacteria. According to the researchers, there aren’t any known safety concerns. 

Still, high-dose supplements may cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset or drug interactions, Dr. Sheyn says. Dr. Mysore adds: “Herbal remedies like uva ursi and garlic supplements have been studied, but evidence is limited, and they’re not risk-free. Anyone considering these should consult their healthcare provider to ensure safety and avoid interactions with other medications they may be taking.”

8. Phenazopyridine

Phenazopyridine is an over-the-counter urinary analgesic, which means it can ease UTI symptoms like pain, burning sensations, and the urgency to pee, Dr. Sheyn explains. It’s sold under brand names like Azo, and it’s recommended for short-term use only.

It’s a good tool for symptom relief while antibiotics take effect, but Dr. Mysore emphasizes that phenazopyridine does not treat the urinary tract infection itself. 

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these tablets are usually taken three times a day after meals. The medication can cause side effects, including urine turning a red-orange or brown, but this effect is harmless. However, adverse side effects that may require medical attention can include skin discoloration, rash, shortness of breath, swelling, severe headache, dizziness/confusion, or sudden decrease in urine amount.

Avoid irritants

When dealing with a UTI, it’s also important to avoid things that can irritate your bladder. Certain foods and drinks can make symptoms worse, Dr. Elkadry says, but they won’t worsen an infection. 

Dr. Sheyn points specifically to:

• Caffeine and alcohol, as they may irritate the bladder and worsen urgency or pain
• Spicy foods, which can exacerbate bladder discomfort
• Sugary drinks (including sweetened cranberry juice) that promote bacterial growth and inflammation
• Artificial sweeteners

He also warns against supplements that alkalinize your urine, such as “alkaline water” powders. “[These] may interfere with the action of some antibiotics, like nitrofurantoin.” 

But in general, limiting your intake of high-sugar and high-oxalate foods may be helpful, he says. “Some evidence suggests these may increase risk in certain people.” And Dr. Elkadry notes that in people with diabetes, high-sugar foods and drinks may lead to glucose in the urine, which can raise the risk of a UTI.

Tips to prevent UTIs

“If someone suffers from frequent UTIs, we will usually recommend some lifestyle modifications that can help decrease recurrence,” Dr. Higgins says. 

These recommendations can include:

• Urinating after intercourse
• Increasing fluid intake (aim for two to three liters per day unless directed otherwise by your doctor, Dr. Sheyn says)
• Not holding your bladder for extended periods of time
• Avoiding spermicide, as it can affect your normal balance of bacteria, “which may present an opportunity for E. coli to overgrow and get into the bladder,” Dr. Higgins explains 
• Maintaining good hygiene: “Wiping front to back is key!” 

For those prone to frequent UTIs, Dr. Sheyn also says that consuming unsweetened cranberry products or standardized tablets (72 mg PACs daily) can also support urinary tract health. “Some patients benefit from daily D-mannose,” Dr. Mysore adds, though results vary from person to person. 

While Dr. Sheyn says there’s less evidence that other measures are effective in preventing UTIs specifically, there’s also no harm in incorporating these tips into your lifestyle: 

• Take a probiotic with the Lactobacillus strain
• Avoid bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and artificial sweeteners
• Eat plenty of fiber in your diet to support bowel regularity, as this may reduce bacterial transmission

But in some cases, medical intervention may be necessary. If someone gets two UTIs in six months or three UTIs in a year, Dr. Sheyn says that the most evidence-based approaches include:

• Vaginal estrogen, which can decrease frequency, severity, and need for hospitalization in perimenopausal or post-menopausal women
• Methenamine hippurate, a prescription antibacterial agent taken twice daily that acidifies urine, preventing infection
• Cranberry extract at a dose of 500 to 1,000 mg twice per day—and for UTIs linked to sex, a dose after intercourse can be helpful
• Suppressive antibiotics taken for six months to two years

When to see a doctor

Generally, if symptoms persist beyond a day or two, it’s time to see a doctor, Dr. Elkadry says. This is especially true if symptoms do not improve or are worsening. 

In particular, she says you should go to the doctor if you have UTI symptoms and:

• You have a fever
• You’re experiencing flank pain (pain on the sides of the body, between the ribs and hips) 
• There’s blood in your urine
• You get recurrent UTIs

An untreated UTI can progress to a kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, Dr. Higgins says. Kidney infections are serious and often require hospitalization. “Pyelonephritis is also associated with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).” 

That’s why it’s important to see your doctor as soon as you suspect you might have a UTI. Getting started early on antibiotics improves the drug’s efficiency in preventing the spread of the infection and offering faster symptom relief. Delayed treatment can open up the door to possible complications—including a greater risk of recurrent infections—and it may take longer for the antibiotics to resolve the UTI. 

What’s more, some symptoms of a UTI overlap with other issues, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), a yeast infection, or bacterial vaginosis, Dr. Higgins says. So, it’s a good idea to get checked out to ensure you know what’s going on and get proper treatment. 

A UTI is typically diagnosed by a urinalysis and/or urine sample, Dr. Higgins explains. “It’s best to do the urine studies before starting antibiotics,” she says. “There are several common antibiotics used to treat UTIs, and the specific one prescribed may vary by location, as some bacterial strains tend to demonstrate different resistance patterns depending on where one lives. Other conditions like pregnancy can also affect which antibiotic is used.” 

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