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Wellness

10 ways to beat the burn of a UTI

UTI vaccines are a few years off, but here are some tips that can help keep infections at bay.
10 ways to beat the burn of a UTI

Photo, Petr Gross/Stockfood

10 ways to beat the burn | May 2014

1. DRINK JUICE

Cranberry extract in juice or pills can help. Just be careful, as some drinks are loaded with sugar and don’t contain much extract.

Cranberry juice, cranberries, Jan 13, p105Photo, Petr Gross/Stockfood

2. GO TO THE LOO

Empty your bladder regularly. Some people wait too long because they’re busy, Dr. Curtis Nickel says, which can allow bacteria to build up.

toilet paper roll blue design whitePhoto, iStockphoto.

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3. TAKE A SHOWER

Avoid bubble baths and feminine hygiene products like douches; shower instead to reduce risk of bacteria buildup.

A woman washing her hair in the showerPhoto, Masterfile.

4. SKIP SPERMICIDES

Spermicides (and condoms containing them) can kill the good bacteria in your body.

Condoms, Safe SexGetty Images

5. HAVE MORE H2O

Drinking water flushes bacteria from your bladder.

10 ways to beat the burn of a UTIIstockphoto

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6. DON’T LINGER

Pee after sex to flush bacteria from your system.

A couple having sex in bed, kissingPhoto, Istockphoto.

7. DRY DIFFERENTLY

Remember to wipe from front to back to avoid spreading pesky E. coli bacteria to your urinary tract.

 

10 ways to beat the burn of a UTI

8. CHOOSE COTTON UNDIES

“If you tend to wear tight jeans and synthetic panties, we say switch to cotton and looser clothing for a while,” Nickel says. It helps keep the region clean and airy.

10 ways to beat the burn of a UTI

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9. LOWER THE DOSE

If the initial round of antibiotics doesn’t work, ask for a lower daily dose to take for a longer period of time, or to take after sex.

woman, antibioticsGetty Images

10. EAT YOGURT

Once you’ve taken antibiotics, repopulate good bacteria by eating yogurt that contains lactobacilli, says Nickel.

Read more: How to break the bladder infection cycle >

Probiotic-Greek-yogurt-on-a-spoonPhoto, Istockphoto.

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