Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Jennifer Huizen — Updated on April 5, 2022

Bacteria cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), so doctors usually treat them with antibiotics. But is it possible to treat a UTI without these drugs?

People increasingly want to know whether there are non-antibiotic treatments for UTIs. Below, we explore seven evidence-based home remedies for these infections.

 

What are UTIs?

UTIs are among the most common bacterial infections in the United States. They are especially prevalent in females, around 50%Trusted Source of whom will have one during their lifetimes. UTIs also tend to reoccur.

The symptoms can include:

  • increased frequency and urgency of urination
  • pain or burning when urinating
  • a fever of below 101°F
  • pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen and groin
  • change in the smell or color of urine
  • cloudy, murky, or bloody urine

 

Ways to treat UTIs without antibiotics

Research supports the use of some home remedies for UTIs. And some have been part of traditional medicine practices for thousands of years.

To treat a UTI without antibiotics, people can try these approaches.

1. Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water can help prevent and treat UTIs.

Water helps the urinary tract organs remove waste from the body efficiently while retaining vital nutrients and electrolytes.

Being hydrated also dilutes the urine and speeds its journey through the system, making it harder for bacteria to reach and infect the cells that line the urinary organs.

There is no set recommendation about how much water to drink every day — people’s needs are different. On average, though, adults should drink between six and eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

2. Urinate when the need arises

Frequent urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract.

It also reduces the amount of time that bacteria in urine are exposed to cells in the tract, limiting the risk of them attaching to and infecting these cells.

Urinating as soon as possible after the urge strikes can help prevent and treat UTIs.

3. Drink cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is one of the most well-established natural treatments for UTIs. People also use it to clear other infections and speed wound recovery.

Research into the effectiveness of cranberries for UTIs has found mixed results. But according to one review, cranberry juice contains compounds that may prevent Escherichia coli bacteria from attaching to cells in the urinary tract.

Cranberry juice also contains antioxidants, including polyphenols, which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

There is no set guidance about how much cranberry juice to drink for a UTI. To prevent them, a person might drink around 400 milliliters of at least 25% cranberry juice every day.