Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are infections anywhere along the urinary tract including the bladder and kidneys, are the second most common type of infection in the United States. (1) These infections can be caused by poor hygiene, impaired immune function, the overuse of antibiotics, the use of spermicides, and sexual intercourse. The most common cause, accounting for about 90 percent of all cases, is the transfer of E. coli bacteria from the intestinal tract to the urinary tract.
For those of you who have experienced a UTI, there isn’t much you wouldn’t do to avoid another one. While I personally have never had a UTI, my patients have told me how the pain, burning, nausea, and even bloody urine can be debilitating, and for those who get chronic UTIs, the fear of infection can be enough to prevent engagement in any activities that could trigger one. And for those who get them frequently, sometimes a specific cause cannot even be pinpointed. This can be frustrating and scary.
Fortunately, there are a few methods of natural treatment and prevention that have worked extremely well for my patients, to the point where they no longer worry about getting a UTI. These treatments don’t require a prescription, are inexpensive, and completely drug-free. While your doctor may not know about them, I hope this article will help you completely avoid UTIs – or at least significantly reduce their frequency and severity.
Standard Treatment
Doctors typically use antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections, and the type and duration depend on your health condition and the type of bacterium found in your urine. (2) Commonly prescribed antibiotics are Bactrim, Amoxicillin, Ampicilin, and Cipro. These antibiotics are often unnecessary and may cause more problems in the future by destroying the beneficial bacteria that prevents pathogenic bacteria from growing. Long term use of antibiotics can also lead to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria like E. coli developing in the gut, and a UTI caused by these bacteria will be even more challenging to eliminate and can cause more serious infections like a bladder or kidney infection.
Furthermore, antibiotics do very little to prevent the infection from happening in the first place. So while drugs may be an easy fix for the short term, in the long run you will continue to be susceptible to UTIs, and these infections may be worse than if you had never taken a course of antibiotics in the first place!
Natural Treatment and Prevention
D-Mannose
D-Mannose is by far the most effective supplement for both treatment and prevention of UTIs. Similar to glucose in structure, D-mannose is a naturally occurring sugar that is found in a number of fruits, including apples, blueberries, and cranberries. (3) This sugar is the reason that cranberry juice has been commonly recommended as a UTI treatment, though it is far easier to get the recommended dosage from a supplement. D-mannose is effective because it attaches to E. coli bacteria, causing them to stick to each other and preventing them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. (4) The bacteria can then easily be eliminated from the body during urination.
D-mannose, even in large quantities, does not cause any adverse side effects, and cannot be metabolized the way other sugars can, meaning this supplement is safe for diabetics and others who are avoiding sugar for any reason. This treatment is also safe for children and the elderly. Symptom relief can be seen as quickly as the following day, and most symptoms are generally resolved after 48 hours of treatment. Additionally, taking D-mannose during a time where you feel you are most prone to UTIs, such as prior to intercourse or during prolonged antibiotic treatment, can help prevent a UTI from ever developing in the first place. This is especially helpful for those who are prone to chronic UTIs and want to be able to engage in normal life activities without fear of infection.
The typical dose of D-mannose for UTI treatment is 500 mg, in capsule or powder form, taken in a glass of water or juice every two to three hours for five days. (5) It is a good practice to continue taking the supplement even after symptoms have diminished to ensure complete elimination of the bacteria in the urinary tract. This dose can also be taken as a preventative, or prophylactic, method.
While there have not been any peer reviewed research to support the effectiveness of D-mannose in treating or preventing UTIs, clinical and anecdotal experience suggests it is highly effective for the majority of infections, both acute and chronic. Some of my patients who have used D-mannose as a UTI treatment method have even described its effects as “miraculous” – so it’s definitely worth a shot!
Alternative treatments for chronic UTIs
One caveat with D-mannose is that it is only effective with UTIs caused by E. coli infection. While this accounts for about 90% of cases, there are 10% that will not benefit from this treatment. In this case, supplements that help disrupt biofilms can be useful in treating and preventing UTIs.
Biofilms are an accumulation of microorganisms and their extracellular products forming structured communities attached to a surface such as the lining of the urogenital tract. (6) The development of a biofilm can make infections extremely hard to treat, since they commonly return shortly after treatment is stopped. The antibacterial resistance of pathogenic biofilms is one of the major reasons why those who get a UTI are highly susceptible to getting more in the future – if the biofilm is not completely eliminated, the infection will eventually return at some point.
This is why the use of biofilm disruptors can be helpful for preventing the recurrence of chronic UTIs. (7) The biofilm disruptors that I recommend to my patients are InterFase Plus from Klaire Labs or Biofilm Defense from Kirkman. These contain specialized enzymes to disrupt the biofilm matrix embedding potential of pathogens, and dissolve the sugar and fibrin components of most pathogenic biofilms. By destroying the biofilms, the recurrence of UTIs despite proper hygiene can be reduced. (8)
Lauricidin is another supplement that may be helpful in treating UTIs, particularly those that are caused by bacteria other than E. coli. Lauricidin (a proprietary form of monolaurin) has anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activity, and is specific against pathogenic bacteria so it won’t disrupt beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is highly effective at combating gram positive bacteria in the families of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Listeria, Bacillus, and Clostridium. (9) It works by disturbing the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane, blocking replication and making it easier for the immune system to destroy the pathogen. Lauricidin is only helpful, however, for UTIs not caused by E. coli, which is gram negative and has a different kind of outer cell membrane than gram positive bacteria.
Nattokinase is another enzyme that has been shown to dissolve biofilms. (10) Produced by the bacteria found in the fermented food natto, this enzyme is proteolytic and can help break down the fibrin proteins that maintain the structure of biofilms. Because of its fibrin-breaking ability, it’s important that nattokinase supplements are not taken by people with bleeding disorders, or by people who are taking Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin, or any other drug that influences blood clotting, unless supervised by a physician.
Apolactoferrin (or lactoferrin) is one more supplement that I recommend to my patients with recurring UTIs. This multifunctional protein Lactoferrin is a component of the immune system with antimicrobial activity, and is part of the innate defense, mainly found in secretions and mucosal surfaces. (11) Lactoferrin has been shown to block pathogenic biofilm development by binding to iron and causing the bacteria to “wander” across surfaces instead of forming cell clusters and biofilms. (12, 13) One study found that the amount of E. coli bacteria in the kidneys and bladder of mice was significantly reduced 24 hours later by oral lactoferrin treatment, compared to a control group. (14) More research is necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of lactoferrin in treating UTIs, but I believe it is worth trying, especially if dealing with chronic UTIs.
Now I’d like to hear from you – have you tried using any of these treatments? Are there other methods that have worked for you? Let me know in the comments!
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{ 75 comments… read them below or add one }
D-mannose is definitely a miracle……..I have not had a problem since I tried it three years ago. If I feel a UTI coming on, I use it immediately. Previous to using d-mannose I was experiencing a UTI every two to three months. But try and convince an MD; they just roll their eyes after I tell them I purchase it at a health food store.
I used to have chronic UTIs back when my immune system was not in good shape. And I still am prone to them. A few years back I learned about D-Mannose, and that’s what I use now if I get the feeling I might be getting one. It’s works amazingly well, and I haven’t needed antibiotics since I discovered it.
I highly recommend it for people that are prone to UTIs, and even sometimes will take it proactively if I’m doing something that may or may not be a contributing factor, just to prevent it in the first place.
I get UTI-like symptoms from oxalates, though, of course, it isn’t an infection. It’s very painful and uncomfortable. Would any of the above supps help the oxalates not be able to do their damage in the bladder? (I understand a low-oxalate diet is key to prevention.)
Thanks much.
I used to be really sensitive to oxalates and still am on a moderate oxalate diet. It helps me to take as much magnesium as I can handle and I stay on a pretty strict auto-immune paleo diet. As my leaky gut healed, my oxalate problem has been better.
Great post Chris! I’ve had several staff members hitting me up for cipro prescriptions and I usually decline, recommending the ol’ cranberry juice! This is both for professional reasons (why is the dentist prescribing UTI antibiotics?) and just on principle (my aversion to antibiotics as anything other than a last resort). Now I have some great information to pass on – Thanks!
I used to get UTIs all the time. All I know is, I went gluten-free and haven’t had one in years. I wish I had known about D-Mannose… I took so many antibiotics
Does E. coli have a beneficial function in the intestinal tract? If so, does D-mannose affect gut function negatively when taken regularly? I know Chris said above that D-mannose has no adverse side effects – so does that mean that D-mannose does NOT affect the function of E. coli in the gut?
Thank you for this article, Chris, I very much appreciate it! I haven’t had a UTI in several years, thank goodness, but I had quite a few there for awhile when I was in poor health (and lab tests confirmed they were being caused by E. coli). I am much healthier now, and I like to think I’ll never get another UTI, but I would certainly love to know that I have some non-antibiotic options if they come back.
I wish I had seen this post yesterday. I was diagnosed with a bladder infection and given Microbid to treat it. After being on the medication for almost 24 hours, I do not feel much better. Is a bladder infection a UTI that has gone untreated? Is there any danger taking D-Mannose as a daily supplement?
I spent about a year with chronic UTIs before discovering that fresh pineapple helps. I think it’s the Bromelain in it. I now eat it on a regular basis because the cause of mine is the birth control I’m using, and I’m stuck with that.
Thanks for the other ideas, too. I have a daughter that also gets these at times, so adding blueberries and apples will help.
Great article Chris. I can attest to the misery of frequent UTI’s. In the past I have suffered from Interstitial Cystitis which is an autoimmune condition. It is treated with a drug called Elmiron plus weekly installations of acid into the bladder, to burn off the scarred lining. It begs the question as to whether the treatment is worse than the condition.
Since adopting a gluten free then later, Paleo way of life I have not had a single UTI or flare up of the IC. I’m not a doctor but I do believe that my body was reacting to the inflammatory components in my diet. It was a chance finding, since I changed my way of eating for other reasons.
Hearing people talk about UTI symptoms strengthens my resolve to stay Paleo. It works for me.
I am so glad to see this! But I am wondering if any of these can be long term solutions? I’m currently takin care of my bed ridden uncle, he has a catheter, and is constantly getting UTIs, can I give any of these on a daily long term basis? Thanks!
It’s particularly important for catheterized patients to use something that can disrupt biofilm (I mentioned a couple of choices in the article).
I would note that if you try natural treatments and they don’t work within a few days, you probably need antibiotics. I ended up with a rather bad kidney infection some years ago because I was relying on natural treatments and couldn’t get to a doctor when they weren’t working. I haven’t had one in a very long time though.
That’s a good reminder. Kidney infections are serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
I used to get recurring UTIs and I got great advice from a friend. You simply drink copious amounts of water with lemon squeezed into it. I would drink something like a glass of water every 15 minutes. After a few glasses, I’d start to feel much better. Usually what happened is that i’d feel so good, I’d forget to continue drinking, and all the symptoms would come right back. Resume the water with lemon – it’s gone again.
The great thing is that you already have water and probably lemon at home.
The dangers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics (Cipro) cannot be overstated. One UTI I had was so painful I was screaming in the bathroom; it felt like a knife in my urethra. All I had was 100% cranberry juice (undiluted with other juices or water) at home so I started drinking it. It didn’t give me much immediate relief so I went to the emergency room. I now wish I hadn’t. I had to wait forever in the ER but I still had my super sour cranberry juice with me and continued to drink it. By the time the Dr. saw me my acute pain was gone; I guess it took a few hours to take effect. However, they prescribed Cipro and gave me my first “horse pill” (as the nurse said) there in the hospital and sent me home. That was in 2007. This is the year 2012 and I am happy to say that my digestive system has finally recovered from the major damage this antibiotic caused it. 5 years. *sigh* just google the damage that these antibiotics cause… Thanks for this article, if only I had known these things before I picked up the first tablet of Cipro and put in my mouth…
Evidently, I am one of the few guys who had a sever bladder infection. I became extremely dehydrated and was urinating a lot of blood and tissue. They prescribed sulfa drugs. I don’t know much about these drugs but they cured me quick. I haven’t had anything else like that before or since.
Cranberry juice (I use the unsweetened, undiluted stuff) taken in a shot glass at morning, noon and night has always worked for me. My doctor says it doesn’t work for everyone but I’m betting that some people use the Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail instead of the real thing. I try to use it on an empty stomach because I just see it working better that way, even if that’s not true. My mind thinks it is.
Chris, have you had any success with vaginal probiotics?
Some. I’ve just started suggesting them about 6 months ago, and they seem to help – but it’s hard to say because I’m always giving them in conjunction with other stuff.
Hi Chris-
Can you recommend a natural treatment for vaginal yeast?? I have heard that Boric Acid is a good one .
Garlic. Peel one clove and insert. I am not kidding. Do this overnight, remove and insert a fresh clove if necessary until symptoms are gone. I have done this for decades now. It has saved me a lot of time and money on prescriptions. Garlic is an anti-fungal agent and inhibits the proliferation of yeast.
I had UTIs very often until I started taking Probiotics. More recently I gave up most grains on the gap diet and never resumed eating them. After a couple of UTI free years I was able to rid myself completely by taking tons of Probiotics getting relief after only 4 hours. I am now also Paleo and Weston A Price so that helps too. I will get D-Mannose for a back up, it sounds excellent, thank you for this article. People need to know how much damage all these antibiotics given like candy do to us!
Is D-Mannose and other above mentioned supplements safe to use while pregnant?
Thank you for the great article, Chris! I follow the Paleo diet religiously as well and have never felt better, except for a bad post-nasal drip – that’s the only thing left after several inflammatory issues. Now, I immediately feel the difference when I go to a restaurant – so I am pretty firm on the Paleo lifestyle. I feel so well now that don’t even have any other cravings.
I did try 1 bottle of the InterFase Plus based on another post of yours, it did not work for the post-nasal drip. I’ll try it again, or the Biofilm Defense
I just wanted to add that for years a close friend had UTIs and tried many of the above as well as traditional treatment to no avail. While talking one day she mentioned that she had been using a particular brand of menstrual pad to deal with some mild urinary incontinance. I suggested switching to unbleached cotton reusable pads instead and within two weeks her symptoms cleared up. It seems that the bleaching agents or something else in the pads was causing enough inflammation to trigger problems. I would think trying to a. switch to a fragrance free detergent, b. switch to mild or no soap, c. switch to cotton or un-dyed underwear, and d. switch to unbleached feminine products would all be worth a try.
thank you Chris! I won’t be taking cipro anymore!
Thank you for this important article! I suffer from recurrent UTIs and have been trying to find an effective natural prevention and treatment for years. My issue is I’m currently trying to get pregnant, and many of the suggested natural treatments (such as massive doses of vitamin C, per Dr. Christiane Northrup) are incompatible with that project. D-Mannose works like a charm for me as both a prevention and a treatment, but I sadly discovered that there are patent applications out there for use of D-Mannose as a contraceptive, and have since stopped using it. Chris, what do you think of this? Here are the links:
http://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/WO2003020288
http://www.google.com/patents/US6753319
Also, are the other preventions/treatments you suggest in this article safe while trying to conceive (won’t interfere with conception or implantation)? Thanks again!
I have found drinking parsley tea to be very effective when I have a UTI coming on. It has worked quite quickly for me. I steep 4 teaspoons of minced parsley in 4 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes and then strain out the parsley, then drink it throughout the day. I will drink the tea for several days to makes sure that the infection has cleared.
Is there a minimum age for use on kids? my daughter just had a UTI and she just turned 3.
Jared,
There is no minimum age for UTI’s although they are more common in adults that children. I work in a Pediatric ICU and we see babies suffering from them. It definitely needs investigation as to why a three year old has one.
For little girls, always wiping front to back then good handwashing is a good thing to reinforce.
My urologist wants me to take ongoing low dose maintanance macrodantin for chronic cystitis and I declined. Would any of the supplements be good for this condition?
My mother who is 93 has had a series of UTI’s over the past 3 years, ending in hospitalization. She never shows what you would classify as typical symptoms – no pain, no bleeding, etc. What does happen is she goes bat-shit crazy, to be blunt. She exhibits all the symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer. These can come on in a matter of a few days – 3 or 4 – and last for a week or more. Once the infection is treated with antibiotics, the dementia disappears and she absolutely normal.
During one hospitalization, we were told that one of the doctors at the hospital (male – middle aged) contracted a UTI and the same thing happened to him. He lost a week of his life – couldn’t remember a thing that happened during that week. My mom never remembers being crazy, she just knows something happened, but doesn’t know what.
The lesson here, is if family member or friend, suddenly goes crazy, for no apparent reason, get them to the hospital, and have them tested for UTI. The sooner the better.
Cheers
P.S. We now have her on D-mannose – hoping for the best.
I have an 83 yr old aunt in nursing home, and her only symptoms of UTI are dementia. She is moderately incontinent, but not on catheter. I have been told by numerous health care workers that any time someone in assit living or nurs home becomes confused, they immediately check for UTI as it is a common cause. No one talks about this!
Yes, my old dad got urinary sepsis and went nutty enough to be transferred from the rest home to a psychiatric clinic. Fortunately after his admission they treated the cause but this did no wonders for my poor old dad’s morale, wondering why he’d been “put in the rat-house”. BTW, no one needs to be a rocket scientist to detect a UTI in their patients…the urine smells fishy or funny.
For decades I seem to get UTI’s during fall – ?tomato season? The rest of the year I’m fine. This year, age 65 and now on less than 50 carbs daily paleo diet, I’ve had 4 UTI’s. Which of the above suggestions should I start? Or can they be taken concurrently? Thanks.
I’ve been improving my health and immunity for years now, and making great progress. I actually considered myself healthy for the first time in many years. And then, I’ve gotten several UTIs in the last 6 months, all were upper in my bladder/kidneys. This is very confusing and disconcerting. I usually treat them with unsweetened cranberry or blueberry juice, cranberry pills, vitamin C, and drink a lot of extra water.
Chris, are there any special considerations for men?
I have the feeling that intermittent fasting (fasting during one day and 2 nights) helps, maybe because for me it improves the digestion.
Thank you so much for this article! In the last few years, since my immune system has gone down the tubes, I’ve been highly susceptible, and I’ve been looking everywhere for info just like this!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Chris for doing this article on UTI’s. I have been suffering with recurrent infections for years and have felt so isolated as I don’t know anyone else who gets them to the same extent. I am a therapist and have been so frustrated in not being able to find an alternative to the antibiotics I always end up going to the doctor for, after cranberry juice, and even an uva ursi supplement, haven’t worked yet AGAIN. I take probiotics regularly, but still the infection keeps coming back, and often feels like it hasn’t fully gone away even after the antibiotics, so your article has been so helpful in understanding why that might be. I am 50 and am post-menopause, and know that the lining between the urethra etc gets thinner, and bacteria can pass between more easily. When I asked my doctor if that meant I would suffer UTI’s for the rest of my life, and what could I do to prevent them, he just shrugged his shoulders. I have ordered some D-mannose (was worried I might not be able to get it in the UK but YES! I can) straightaway to try first. Thank you again for addressing this.
Urinating immediately after intercourse it a very effective way of preventing UTIs.
unfortunately, no amount of “following the rules” post sex or hygiene fixes the problem for some of us.
One thing that I’ve found is that upstream infections can cause UTIs. If I am suffering from sinus problems caused by allergies and notice that I’m developing a UTI, I work doubly hard on correcting the allergy/sinus problem. And, of course, drink a lot of water.
This is a pertinent issue for me as I have a daughter with neurogenic bladder. We are using oxybutynin to regulate bladder pressure and catheterization to empty the bladder. They start them at infancy with this and amoxicillin daily for prophylaxis. This issue I have is that it would seem this style of treatment makes the patient more susceptible to biofilms due to the decreased mucus production from the anticholinergic not to mention the unknowns from such early chronic antibiotic treatment. I may speak to her urologist about some of this as it would be very easy to get the mannose in the diet. The only other question would be if coconut oil would suffice as a monolaurin source or do you need the concentrated monolaurin? What do you think?
Chris,
Excellent article!!
In case of chronic UTI, what is the dosage you recommend of these products? Specially for Nattokinase, which has secondary effects diluting blood.
Many thanks in advance for your support,
I’ve had a lot of success with drinking nettle tea whenever I feel a little off and suspect a yeast infection or UTI is trying to take hold. This is more preventative than cure course of action. Gentle, yet effective.
I like this article and think prevention is definitely the best course of action for UTI’s, but I think that it’s a bit of an omission to not mention that if it persists you should get thee to a doctor. Time is definitely important here. It’s easier on your body to take a relatively short course of oral antibiotics than to develop a raging infection and have to take IV antibiotics- UTI’s that are not responding to natural treatments after only a couple days should be looked at by a nurse practitioner or doctor. Lots of important stuff down there, obviously one of the largest worry being kidney damage.
Another good note is that lots of people think they have a UTI when, in fact, they might have something else. STI’s, yeast infection, and bacterial vaginitis may be confused with a UTI, which could be the problem behind reoccurance and lack of success behind natural prevention for specific people.
Oh, and another interesting one I forgot that could be confused with a UTI is endometriosis! Endometriosis can cause pain with urination, especially deep in the pelvis, and can lead to a false diagnoses by patient or practitioner of a UTI and result in unnecessary use of antibiotics or poor response to prevention methods. If you have other symptoms of endometriosis or have a diagnoses, definitely something to keep in mind.
I have had chronic UTI Infections for over four months. Been on many different antibiotics. I started to take D-Mannose for over a week and noticed no difference and my UTI returned. Was I wrong to stop? I am back on meds. This time Macrobid for two weeks along with Bio-K. By the way, the main bacteria is always E-coli.
I had a Cystiscopic and it was normal. If I am not better the doctor wants to do a MRI and that is so costly and perhaps IV antibiotics. I am really starting to lose it. Love feedback.
Chris thanks so much for addressing this issue!
I have never had UTIs until I was about 26years old and started having a regular intercourse. For the first 6months to a year things were but after that everything changed. Every intercourse ended up with UTI. Some of them were so painful that I was crying in the bathroom. I’m terrified with having sex now and even stopped completely for about a year. The symptoms usually develop 24 hours later and just to point out intercourse is the only reason I get these. I take this drug Furaginum (little yellow tablets) which helps instantly every time. Nothing else helps…. I tried cranberry juice, drinking plenty of water,
I sent my last message before I finished typing it..basically I’ve heard that prolonged use of Furaginum might be harmful but I can’t stop using it – when I get an UTI my life stops, I can’t function, I am so afraid to go out in case there is no bathroom around and it is to painful to walk. Sometimes I’m awake all night with an extreme pain going to the toilet every 5 minutes. When I asked doctors about they always said that it just happens to people my age who are sexually active and that is that. They just tell me to look
after my hygiene (which I always do, shower before and after and besides I’m a hygiene freak) and they prescribe antibiotics saying nothing else will help to clear the bacteria. Please tell me what can I do out of your methods above to stop getting these??? This condition is destroying my life.
Kind regards,
Anne
Great article. It’s nice to know there are so many natural ways to prevent UTI’s. Thankfully they haven’t been a problem for me, I only had one in my entire life … but that may be because I was overprescribed antibiotics for so many other conditions that there was no chance for one of them to happen! Knowing all the natural preventative measures you can take is important.
While we’re on women’s health, do you know of any natural solutions for severe cramps and endometriosis? My doctor is suspecting I have it because each month I’m pretty much disabled if I don’t take ibuprofen non-stop for the week before my period and then a few days after it starts. I’ve started hormonal birth control again because the pain was too much to bear, but the side effects of that are also not fun and it’s too soon to see if it will help with the pain. I’d love to know more about what I can do to combat this without hormones and ibuprofen because I can’t curl up in a ball w/ a heating pad at home for 3 days a month! I know nsaids are not good for someone with digestive disorders, but I’ve been trying to balance the lesser of the evils and still be able to get to work.
Much of the monthly discomfort is caused by increased inflammation during that part of the cycle. It is especially important to eat a low inflammatory diet during that time. A few days before, I would go very strict no grains, legumes or dairy. I would even leave off butter during this time. I would also try avoiding nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, white potatoes), eggs and nuts. I would increase my intake of fermented cod liver oil a bit. Then, if you find this helps, you could try not being quite so strict the next time and add back in one thing, like eggs, butter or nuts. Anything you can do during this time to reduce inflammation will ease your discomfort.
I’m already on a very strict low inflammation diet. Dairy (including butter), grains, legumes and starches all make me very ill. I take lots of probiotics and D3, but haven’t tried fermented cod liver oil yet. Fortunately eggs don’t bother me as long as I stick to pastured ones – so I only eat eggs from an amazing local farmer with very happy chickens (and hogs – their pork is also incredible). It would be very hard for me to eat enough affordable calories in a day without the eggs! I’ll see if the cod liver oil helps …. If there are any other suggestions I would love to hear them. I was awake for hours last night in pain, and would give anything to not go through this every month!
One more thing to consider is the probiotic that you are using. I react to fermented foods, so I take a probiotic supplement. The only way to know if fermented foods, eggs, nuts, nightshades, etc. bother you is to do an elimination diet. You could probably for a short time eat more hamburger instead of eggs to see. Pork is also another possibly reactive food, especially if they have soy in their diet, even if they are pasture raised.
I also had to try several brands of probiotics before I found one that agreed with me. Klaire Labs is the brand that I use now. Many probiotics have dairy in them and all of the ones that I tried were dairy-free, so I’m not sure why this one works so well for me. Self-experimentation is invaluable.
I also take 10,000 IU of Carlson’s liquid vitamin D and 200,000 iu of this particular soy-free vitamin A. I would only take that much vitamin A if it is this type of vitamin A. When I cut my vitamin A back, I get inflamed. I never try to cut my vitamin D back and I get my levels checked every year.
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=CL-1440
Thanks for this article!
I really wish i knew about those alternatives back then! In the end i took vitamin A and I lowered my sugar consumption drastically. I never ever had one again!! After 10 years of misery!!
I developed inflammatory bowel disease due to excess antibiotic for UTI
I use d-mannose every time I have sex. I also take a bit of colloidal silver & put colloidal silver on my urethra opening topically with a q-tip. I take probiotics as well. I’ve noticed the biggest difference with colloidal silver, though I know the d-mannose is extremely helpful as well.
I found D-mannose worked wonders but was expensive; hibiscus flower tea has worked well more recently. Since reducing carbs to ketogenic levels I no longer have UTI issues; I guess that any sugar in the urine feeds the bacteria.
I am on a warfarin regimen for A-Fib. Can I still take D-Mannose. I’m not supposed to have too much cranberry.
I had to snicker when I read the title to the email notification I received for this post–I was lying in bed with a 102.7F fever from a kidney infection that was a result of an untreated UTI (had only two days of mild pain a few months ago)! I had never had one before, and was surprised that I didn’t have any real pain to warn me of the infection.
I certainly don’t want to go through this ever again–I was completely miserable for four days…
It is great to read about D-Mannose as a preventative measure!
For the substances that destroy the biofilm, is that something you would take for a period of time and then stop, or would you need to take it on an ongoing basis?
For a period of time, and then stop.
I seem to be having more UTIs now that I am getting close to menopause. I had a couple of UTI’s in close succession (within three months) and had the expected yeast vaginosis after the antibiotic treatment for the UTI. I was able to break the cycle by douching only once with diluted kefir for the yeast infection (unsweetened unflavored of course!) and now take an oral probiotic specifically for the vaginal tract (RepHresh Pro-B with L. rahmnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14). Have had neither yeast infection nor UTI in six months. Seems to be working for me!
I have excruciating pain and frequent urges to pee immediately after every time I have sex. I went to a gyn and they took a culture and I found out I had a UTI. They gave me antibiotics. Then, over the span of two months I had four UTI’s all caused by intercourse. So I went to a clinic and they gave me antibiotics to get rid of it. I went to another gyn who sent me to a urologist who then told me that all I had to do was pee before and after sex. I did this along with washing myself and my partner before we engage in sexual activity. Didn’t work. I looked up all natural “cures” and found D-Mannose powder, for $50 at whole foods. Took the exact amount of dosage printed on the bottle and though it got rid of my symptoms after a week of drinking two glasses a day (which is the same amount of time antibiotics take), it did NOT prevent a UTI from occurring. I am 16 years old and I’m afraid to take antibiotics for the rest of my life for fear it will warp my immune system! I take cranberry capsules everyday along with other vitamins and drink lots of water. Next time I have one, I’m supposed to leave a urine sample with my gyn, but I’m trying to avoid from having her right me a prescription. I just need something that prevents it from happening right now and that doesn’t do my body harm.
where cab i buy this supplement..
I’ve tried D-Mannose before without success. I have chronic UTIs and would love to know if the other supplements you’ve suggested are safe to use during pregnancy? I’m about to go through an IVF round and am experiencing regular UTIs. Since I can’t take my normal prescription once insemination happens, I’d love to have other options.
The supplements I mentioned in that article aren’t safe during pregnancy. Or more accurately, we don’t know if they’re safe during pregnancy and we never will know because finding out would be unethical. Cranberry extract (pills) or 100% cranberry juice is worth a try and safe during pregnancy. It helps prevent bacteria from adhering to the UT lining.
I took D-Mannose as a preventive measure for many years and it helped so much. But suddenly I have developed some terrible problem with my bladder – my bladder hurts all the time, before and after I pee. I tested negative for a UTI and they don’t know what’s wrong with me. I did notice that I sometimes had a mild version of these symptoms after taking D-Mannose but they always went away after a day or so. But now it’s not going away. And now I can’t take D-Mannose so I have to take preventive macrobid which is, of course, giving me yeast infections. And my husband and I are trying to get pregnant. So I don’t know what to do. Has anyone else had this reaction to D-Mannose? Can anyone explain it? I feel really miserable and I’m really depressed about the whole thing.
My daughter’s UTI’s seem to get worse when I giver her D Mannose. She’s 6 and has been getting UTI’s frequently since she was 4. It’s always E. Coli. Hope you are getting some answers.
I’m in the same boat as you, Jaime… needing to prevent chronic UTIs while trying to get pregnant. I agree, it’s frustrating and depressing. D-Mannose worked great for me as well but of course it can’t be used while trying to conceive. I’ve also resorted to taking macrobid every time we have sex as a preventive measure… which as you know can add up to a lot of antibiotics while trying during your fertile period.
Here’s what I’ve found seems to work well to prevent yeast infections while on macrobid — I take a high quality probiotic and also eat probiotic foods (yogurt, kefir, kraut, etc.) daily. If I slack off on this, I will start to feel yeast-like symptoms.
Once I’m on the other side of this baby journey, I intend to return to using D-Mannose or to try Dr. Christiane Northrup’s suggestion of 3,000 mg of vitamin C post-coitally. I’m afraid to try that as well while trying to conceive. One other thing I’m about to try is USANA’s mega-antioxidant and pro-flavanol supplements, both of which are supposed to be amazing for any kind of inflammation.
One last thought… I too have had the lingering pain that feels like a UTI but isn’t (negative test). My doctor tells me it’s residual inflammation from past infections. I’ve experienced it both while on D-Mannose and not. I’m hoping the anti-inflammatory supplements will help. Best of luck to you — it’s tough dealing with this while trying to make a baby!
Thank you for sharing!! Great help!!
I am in India. Where can I get this D-Mannose??
Also We don’t grow blue berries in India.
Is there any capsule instead??
I have had a nasty UTI FOR OVER FOUR MONTHS due to kidney stones. The stones have broken down and since I have been on UREX coupled with cranberry chewable s and I have been e-coli free for one month. Check it out.
Any Ideas on how to treat a 5 year old with this? Obviously taking a pill won’t work. Thanks!
My doctor recently advised me to try D-mannose for frequent UTI’s. I started to experience pins and needles, weak muscles, muscle twitches and headaches. Would these symptoms occur from taking the D-mannose as it is a natural sugar? I suffer from IBS and follow a low fodmap diet and fructose should be avoided.
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