Mumsnet users share their tips for treating UTIs with Ocean Spray

[EllieMumsnet]

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If you have experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI) then you’ll know how uncomfortable and painful they can be. There can be quite a few different causes of UTIs, as well as ways to treat and/or prevent them, which is why Ocean Spray would love you to share your methods for treating or preventing them.

Here’s what Ocean Spray have to say: “One in every two women will suffer from a UTI at some point in their lifetime. Many GPs and other health professionals advise women (as well as men) to drink cranberry juice for UTI resistance. Independent research has found drinking a glass of cranberry juice every day could help reduce the likelihood of a UTI by 40 percent, potentially cutting down on antibiotics use in the process. Which is good news particularly when experts claim antibiotic resistance is on track to kill more people than cancer.

Ocean Spray’s research into the health benefits of cranberries and cranberry juice is ongoing. And it’s always good to hear from people about their own experiences of drinking cranberry juice for health – and of course taste – reasons.”

Do you use a hot water bottle to comfort the stomach or back pain you may get? Perhaps you try to always wear breathable clothing around your lady parts to try prevent a UTI from occuring? Maybe you swear by the home remedy of drinking lots of cranberry juice? Or have you found the perfect no-perfume body wash that helps keep everything balanced?

Whatever your tips and methods are, share them on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Just wondering whether the posters that experience frequent UTIs have been seen by a consultant for this? If not, I really recommend that you push for a referral. IME experience, GPs are not always the best at treating UTIs (there are exceptions, of course) and there seems to be a reluctance to prescribe key antibiotics (e.g. cefalexin) as they have an association with C. diff infections in the elderly. I get that, but I’m not elderly and v low risk for c diff, so this is frustrating.

If you are experiencing frequent UTIs then you should at least have a stock of prophylactic antibiotics to take after risky practices (eg sex, swimming) and at the first sign of an infection. Prophylactic antibiotics have been life changing for me.

Lots of water works for me

Lots of water and cotton underwear.

Avoid all feminine hygiene products. Your bits won’t thank you!

I used to swear by lots of cranberry juice but I now take warfarin so not allowed to touch the stuff unfortunately but it used to shift any infection that I got.

Thankfully I don't suffer often with UTI's now but as a child I was forever getting them, since then I've always worn cotton underwear, try and drink as much water as I can and also if I do get a UTI I drink cranberry juice,

Drink a lot of water! If that doesn't work, OTC meds from pharmacy. Failing both those, trip to GP.

Agree with others, lots of water. I remember being double over with pain and almost passing out at work in the loos, then I drank loads of water and it fixed itself even though I thought I would have needed antibiotics

Can Ocean Spray please remove the sucrose they’ve added to the cranberry squash. There used to be a ‘low’ sugar version (with sweetener) and a normal version (with sugar). Cranberry squash and water is the only thing I drink. It was a real treat. It now tastes vile!

After 10 years of reoccurring UTI's and cystitis I swear by Apple Cider Vinegar, one spoon in a glass of water every morning, I was on antibiotics constantly before I discovered this simple remedy, you have you use the Braggs brand because it has the 'mother ' in it. Seriously it ruined my life for years , it's like a miracle for me to have discovered this !

9yo DD gets them frequently. Warm bath, hot water bottle and plenty of water seems to work well for her.

Prevent with water and loose underwear.

Once it happens I have had to always go to gp for antibiotics

Drinking cucumber & blueberry infused water to flush out toxins, a glass of cranberry juice and going commando to let that area, er, breathe... 🙈

I've had recurring cystitis and water infections for ten years since having cancer and radiotherapy. To help prevention: No caffeine, spices, tomatoes, black pepper, oranges (this is the only citrus fruit that doesn't change to alkaline in the body) vinegar, salt, carbonated drinks. Cut right down on sugar, alcohol and chocolate (I know... sad) Do eat: fresh boiled green veg every day and then drink the veggie water which is full of magnesium. Also drink 2 litres of still water every day, spray the area every morning and night in the shower with warm water (no soap)

If infection does set in: bicarbonate of soda with warm water, low sugar cranberry juice, lots of still water, camomile tea, green veg and the water from it, get plenty of sleep. After a few days if no better, then an antibiotic. Before this regime, I was on antibiotics every day and ended up with an autoimmune illness. Now, I only need antibiotics around 3 times a year

UTI the nightmare of my life. After marriage I am prone to recurrent UTI coz of the sexual relationship. Each and every time I run for antibiotics and this was a habit once.

But antibiotics have negative side too. First it kills the good bacteria as well in course of UTI treatment. Second it makes your body and genital dry. Third you may get renal scars which is not too good when you become old.

So with all these thoughts I was really scared and tried to avoid antibiotics. In that case, after sex each time I had loads of warm water(will work sip by sip), watery fruits (water melon). I did not take cranberry . It was ok sometimes but I get it 2/3 times even after all those measures.

The very worst and critical UTI I got us when o had my second baby. That was a normal deliver(after a first daughter by caesarean birth). I have been in hospital for a week (the baby was days then taken care by my MIL) with antibiotics for UTI. With all these I took cranberry on my hand. I just made myself sure that I should not get it often.

Atleast I know a cause how I am prone to it. It's sex. So after each time I have cranberry (sip by sip) the next day instead of water. I have water if I am dry.the second day goes with warm water again sip. The third day I wake up normal.

If you want your cran to work jus give some time for it to stay in your bladder. You have to stand the urgency for sometime. With all these I had UTI only two times in last 3.10 years.

It's your body. You need to take care. All the best lovely ladiesxxx

Drink lots of water, go for a wee when you need it (don't hold it in for ages!), and make sure you go for a wee after DTD

Air drying after shower then cotton undies.

As a recurrent sufferer the only thing that I’ve found that works is antibiotics. I go from no pain to agony pissing blood in the space of a few hours and a glass of juice isn’t going to cut it really Am also very sceptical of a study that shows cranberry juice is a cure, that’s funded by a cranberry juice company!

I’m intrigued by the D mannose recommendations. Can anyone who’s used it tell me what dose they take? There are lots of different strengths available on Amazon.

Another recommendation for D Mannose. I take 2 x 500mg tablets daily. Also cut out caffeine which has really helped. Also (re sex): nothing too adventurous, lots of lube, peeing and washing with Canesfresh after DTD, take 2 WDM and an antibiotic. Not super romantic, but then neither is a UTI.

Drink, drink, drink! Not too tight underwear/trousers. See your GP for antibiotics sooner rather than later.

I haven’t RTWT but chronic sufferers: if you use condoms, try switching to non-latex ones. I never had another uti once I switched!

Cranberry juice and water by the gallon have of course already been mentioned

Well apart from cranberry juice and water, get as much air/ breathing space to your nether regions as possible and watch what you're eating - I've been reading a lot about probiotics recently and while I think they are useful I have read a bit on how it's possible to increase the good biota by healthy eating/drinking habits and keeping active.

Hot water bottle, massive amounts of water and rest.

If I have UTI: Lots of water, all the time and water with bicarb too. Cranberry juice if I have it, but not if it is highly sweetened.

To prevent UTI: Don't get dehydrated, not too much sugar, wee after sex.

I’ve only had a uti once - thankfully, as it was a truly miserable experience. I drank lots of water and cranberry juice and had cranberry flavoured sachets from the chemist.