UTI treatments: what works and what doesn’t

Oh great, not again. Those all-too-familiar symptoms are back. The sense of urgency to go pee and the accompanying burning sensation when you do. Ugh, do you have a urinary tract infection? UTIs are uncomfortable and painful and if you have one, you’re desperate to get rid of it and feel better.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there about how to treat UTIs. Not to worry, we’ll help you sort through it all and identify what works and what doesn’t, so you can find relief and feel better fast.

Will a UTI go away on its own?

When it comes to health issues, many busy adults are inclined to take a “wait-and-see” approach. With UTIs, however, it’s best to address the issue sooner rather than later. Some UTIs may clear up on their own but most require treatment. While there’s no need to stress at the very first sign of trouble, it’s best to seek medical advice and treatment if your symptoms don’t resolve in a day or two. If left untreated, an infection can spread further into the urinary tract and affect the kidneys—making it even more painful and more complicated to treat.

Are home UTI remedies effective?

You may have friends or family members who swear by certain home remedies for UTIs. These may include:

• Downing cranberry juice
• Drinking lots of water
• Using certain essential oils
• Taking probiotics

While drinking lots of water or cranberry juice may support ongoing urinary tract health and can be used in tandem with medical treatment, home remedies alone should not be relied on for treating an infection. Home remedies may ease some symptoms temporarily, but they don’t treat the underlying cause of your UTI.

What about over-the-counter UTI treatments?

Again, you may have a friend who sings the praises of certain over-the-counter remedies for UTIs. Sure, products like AZO, Uricalm or cranberry chews may help ease the pain and discomfort that comes with a UTI. They won’t, however, resolve the underlying problem.

Like home remedies, these products may provide some temporarily relief from symptoms, but they should only be used to supplement a treatment plan — including prescribed medications — from a medical provider.

Get online treatment for your UTI

Often, people try home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for UTIs because they don’t want to deal with the hassle and expense of going to the doctor and providing a urine sample. But research shows that most UTIs don’t need a confirmed urine culture to safely treat an infection.

An easier way to get UTI treatment and medication without the stress of an office visit is to seek treatment online. Just start a visit online with Virtuwell, answer a few questions about your medical history and symptoms and one of our nurse practitioners will provide a treatment plan and send a prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.

In the event you have questions, or you don’t start to feel better in a couple of days, you can request a free follow-up call.

Can I treat my UTI with antibiotics?

If you have a UTI, you’ll need to take antibiotics to clear up the infection. Antibiotics are a safe and effective way to treat bacterial infections like UTIs. To ensure you take your antibiotic safely and avoid antibiotic resistance, complete your full course of medication — even if you begin to feel better.

Get quick, effective UTI treatment online

You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops and go through trial and error to start feeling better. Start your visit with Virtuwell today to get fast, affordable and safe treatment for your UTI, and get back to feeling your best.