Are chronic UTI’s killing your sex life?
I remember it like it was yesterday – I was 21, in college and supposed to be having the time of my life partying and having lots of irresponsible sex. Haha! Instead, I was sitting in the ER because I had yet another urinary tract infection (UTI), and get this, was having an allergic reaction to the antibiotics I had been prescribed a day earlier.
I was in a state – my entire body was bright red and itchy, and I felt like I was going to pass out because I was having trouble breathing. Not a good look.
When the ordeal was over, I vowed that I would do whatever it took to never get another UTI again! Obviously, I was acutely aware of the problem, but I wasn’t informed enough about the actual solutions outside of the “conventional round after round of antibiotics” approach or the “drink a sh*t ton of cranberry juice” approach.
So, naturally I did some digging. As afflicted people tend to do.
And I found out A LOT!
But before I get into that, I want to talk about what UTI’s are and how they come to be.
What is a UTI?
A UTI is basically an infection that occurs anywhere along the urinary tract, including the bladder and kidneys. Unfortunately they occur more often in women because we have a shorter urethra than men, which means it’s easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder.
In fact, they are the most common medical complaint among women during their reproductive years, and they are the second most common infection after the flu/common cold.
What are the main causes of UTI’s?
- frequent or increased sexual intercourse
- spermicides that contain nonoxynol-9
- heavy use of antibiotics, birth control pills (this was my problem back in the day)
- harsh soaps and chemical-laden vaginal care products (they can cause skin irritation leaving you more susceptible to UTI’s)
- Menopause or amenorrhea – both of these are characterized by low levels of estrogen, which causes the vaginal walls to thin out and makes them more susceptible to bacterial infections.
For any of you reading this who have had a UTI, I know you’d do anything to avoid getting another one!
What are the main treatments for a UTI?
Sadly, the most common treatment for UTI’s is antibiotics. They are nothing more than a short-term quick fix, and oftentimes, you’ll have another infection within six months (or sooner), because they don’t treat the actual cause of the UTI. If you’ve been taking round after round of antibiotics for your UTI’s, I suggest you stop! They are doing way more harm than good.
How to cure your UTI naturally!
Uqora
Uqora is a relatively new company but already women are swearing by them. I have friends who have had chronic UTIs for most of their lives who have seen them completely disappear after using Uqora.
Since UTIs are caused by bad bacteria growing in the urinary tract, Uqora’s products have a 3-pronged approach to dealing with this. First, they flush out new bacteria introduced to the urinary tract (Flush). Second, they break up old bacteria that may be hiding from a previous infection (Defend). And third, they support the good bacteria in the vaginal microbiome that naturally protect from UTIs (Promote).
Uqora uses only ingredients found in nature. No medications, no antibiotics—just simple, effective prevention and they have quickly become the leaders in natural UTI protection.
D-Mannose for UTI’s:
The first solution I found when I was suffering from chronic UTIs that sounded promising was D-Mannose. Well, actually I found a product called UT Vibrance, which has D-Mannose in it.
This stuff was like the magical cure I’d been searching for all my life for my chronic UTI’s. A total game changer!
D-Mannose is considered to be the most effective supplement for preventing and treating UTI’s when they come on.
[1] Yup, not cranberry as we’ve been made to believe. D-Mannose is a naturally occurring sugar that is found in fruits like cranberry and blueberry, and that’s why cranberry juice and capsules are often suggested for the treatment of UTI’s.
What’s great about D-Mannose is it’s absorbed by your body slowly, so it won’t interfere with your blood sugar, even if you’re diabetic or have insulin dysregulation. And, even in high amounts it doesn’t cause any adverse side effects.
How does D-Mannose work?
Most UTI’s are caused by E. Coli bacteria. D-Mannose works by attaching to the E. Coli, which causes them to stick to each other and prevents them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. [2] Think of it like a lint roller for the bacteria in your urinary tract!
In addition to taking it when you have a UTI, you can also take it when you feel you are most prone to getting UTI’s – like when you are taking antibiotics or having lots of sex (the latter being the preferable scenario!)
How to take D-Mannose:
- I recommend UT Vibrance if you can find it near you. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.
- You can also buy D-Mannose powder or capsules. The recommended dose is:
- 1000-2000mg taken every 3-4 hours for 7 days for acute infections. Symptoms should subside in about 1-2 days but it’s important to keep taking it.
- 500mg-1000mg taken once a day to put an end to chronic/recurring infections.
- 1000mg before sex and then 1000mg after sex, to prevent UTI’s caused by intercourse.
Other natural solutions for UTI’s:
Here’s something you should know – D-Mannose doesn’t work for everyone because it is only effective against E. Coli bacteria, which accounts for 90% of UTI’s.
My dear friend who inspired this post is actually part of the remaining 10%. D-Mannose didn’t totally work for her because her chronic UTI’s were likely linked to another type of bacteria and/or what is known as a biofilm. We’ll get to that in a moment.
Lauricidin for UTI’s
First, you might want to try something called Lauricidin, which is a product that is very helpful for women who have bacteria that are not E.Coli, and are not responding to D-Mannose treatment. These bacteria are known as gram positive bacteria, whereas E. Coli is known as gram negative bacteria. Gram positive bacteria families include, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Listeria, Bacillus, and Clostridium.
How does Lauricidin work?
Lauricidin contains monolaurin, which is a medium chain fatty acid derived from coconut oil that is anti-viral, anti-fungal and antibacterial. Monolaurin is actually found in breast milk, and it provides immune support to babies.
Unlike antibiotics, it specifically targets pathogenic bacteria so it won’t mess with beneficial bacteria, which is a major deal. Lauricidin will disrupt the cell membranes of these gram positive bacteria, which blocks their ability to replicate, so the immune system can get in there and destroy them. [3]
How to take Lauricidin:
According to the label instructions, simply place the mini-pellets in your mouth and swallow with cool liquid. Intake levels vary from 1/4 tsp. to one full tsp. two to three times a day with food. You can purchase Lauricidin here and you can learn more about it here.
Biofilms and UTI’s:
A biofilm is an accumulation of various species of bacteria along the surface of the urinary tract and bladder, that has the ability to survive even in unfavorable conditions. When I think of it, I picture a basketweave pattern that is strong and unbreakable.
Not only does this seemingly impenetrable wall of bacteria make it difficult to treat UTI’s, it also makes them come back over and over again because the biofilm does not go down easy. I know, every woman’s worst nightmare.
How to get rid of biofilms
There is a solution to biofilm growth known as a biofilm disruptor.
How does a biofilm disruptor work?
A biofilm disruptor is exactly as it sounds. It contains enzymes that break down and dislodge the complex structure of the biofilm, thus improving the chances of getting rid of the UTI once and for all, and reducing their recurrence. I think of those ads for Dawn dish soap where it literally breaks through a wall of grease. HA!
Best Biofilm disrupters for UTI’s
I recommend Klaire Labs Interfase Plus, which you can buy here. You should follow the dosage instructions on the label. You can read more about this amazing product here. You can also check out Biofilm Defense as an alternative to Interfase Plus.
You should use either the Interfase Plus or the Biofilm Defense in conjunction with D-Mannose or Lauricidin, to really knock the infection out.
49 thoughts on “Natural solutions for chronic UTI’s”
Great tips Adelina! I agree that air drying your hair really helps – plus it’s best to minimize heat to keep it healthy!
Hi… So reassuring to find this post and experiences of others. Mid-UTI at the moment and doing (yet another) round of research…thought I’d share.
I had recurrent UTIs after sex (every time) in my late teens and early 20’s – always treated seemingly ok with short course antibiotics and finally with a preventative course of 100g trimethoprim to take after intercourse – also worked, although felt wrong so I weaned myself off them after six months or so. I was then UTI free for 12 years (!!) save one episode when I was particularly run down and burning the candle at both ends. I completely lost the anxiety about ever getting it again (forgot UTIs even existed) worked and travelled in many remote places without worry.
Now 34, I’ve had enough UTIs in the past few years (2-3 a year) for the anxiety to coming back. Also planning to start a family and even more anxious that UTIs can be triggered more by pregnancy – so I’m frantically trying to find natural methods for prevention and cure. This time around though I really felt prepared and am now struggling to keep hopes up! Sunday afternoon I got the burning pee and frequency / urgency as well as some blood – usually at this point I’d be pretty certain I’d need to see the doctor first thing on Monday, but I started the following protocol (1000g D-mannose every 2-3 hours, Interfase Plus – 2 capsules between meals, Vit C, high strength probiotics, Vit C plus lots of water and Uva Ursi / Buchu herbal tea.)
Monday I was so much better – mild niggle, much less frequency – that I stuck at it and figured I’d continue for 5-7 days. By Wednesday – practically symptom-less. Suddenly Wednesday night (now) all symptoms have returned, including bloody pus. Totally disheartening, but wonder if this is also normal? Or perhaps to be expected when using a biofilm disrupter as it may continue to free new bacteria into the bladder until all is broken down?
Agghhh so frustrating. Would love to hear others’ experiences.
NB My UTI flare ups cooincide almost perfectly with the period of time that I’ve been doing a new, particularly stressful job – which I handed my notice in on last week. Hoping that reduced stress levels may help here too.
This is happening to me. Taking all the things. Felt like I kicked it in the butt. Then bam. All raging. Why?
Also! I’m wondering how much water to dissolve the 1 teaspoon of d mannose (2000mg)? Or is it best to just swallow from the spoon without any water?
I dissolve a 2 gram scoop in about 4 ounces of water. I’m careful not to dilute it too much because I feel like it won’t be as effective. I’ve been doing this for around 3 months and it is working really well for me
Hi there
This post was very informative. I’ve been suffering from UTIs EVERY single time after sex and have discovered d-mannose. It is a life savior. I remember when I first found it and used it, it worked like magic and still does. However, sometimes I find it hard to take an hour before sex (as sometimes I’m not even sure when I’m going to have sex!) do you think it’s necessary to take before sex or can I just take it directly after? I don’t want to risk it myself cause I really don’t want a UTI so I’m asking here first 🙂
Thank you and for all the info too
I would say it would be best to take it after. Ruth Kriz (a chronic UTI specialist) recommends urinating every 3 hours since that’s about how long it takes bacteria to take effect. So anytime within 3 hours after but the sooner the better! 🙂
Hey there, I started using natural soap made of goats milk etc and realised they were causing my utis. I haven’t gone no soap yet but use antibacterial soap there now which helps. This can cause thrush though. Also, I started getting kidney stones causing more utis from cranberry tablets! Don’t use them. Use dmanoose instead and uva Ursi helps too.
I am very susceptible to urinary tract infections. I used to be on daily antibiotics as a preventative, but after a couple years those really started to do a number on my whole body.
On the very infrequent occasion where I feel like a UTI is coming on, I immediately take a double dose (4 pills) of the Lady Soma Cranberry Concentrate, and that knocks it out pronto.
The vast majority of the time, the Lady Soma Cranberry Concentrate is very effective at preventing the UTIs from happening to begin with!
Hi there,
I think I am suffering with a biofilm problem. I’m a 24 year old female. I got a bad UTI caused by e. Coli in late March. I was first prescribed Macrobid which did not get rid of my symptoms. I still had them. I then was prescribed Cipro but my culture this time came back negative which was weird because I still was experiencing uti symptoms. The cipro didn’t work so I was prescribed another antibiotic.
I finally saw a urologist who said (without doing any physical examination) that I was likely experiencing bladder inflammation and that eventually my symptoms will subside.
They did for about a month but now they have popped up again. I experience urgency all day everyday. I don’t know what to do.
I am seeing my urologist on Wednesday again. He is going to perform a cystoscopy on me. I think either I have intersital cystitis OR I have Biofilms.
Should I buy the biofilm thing you mentioned in this post ?
Please help me. I am losing my mind 🙁 and not enjoying my summer at all.
Hello Bianca. Please let me know what your outcome is. I am 25 years old and in the same boat. Only that my ecoli is asymptomatic but I need it out of my body as soon as possible for future pregnancies. Having E.coli can be very dangerous.
Please please please do not accept a diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis just yet. Try MicroGenDX! My doctor tried to diagnose me with that and I just knew I had a UTI and it wasn’t all in my head. Nothing else made sense. My results came back and I had 3 different bacteria! I wish you the best of luck. I know how it feels.
Hello! Thank you for your informative and well- researched article. I have some questions:
1. How long do you take the biofilm disruptor?
2. Do you take the d mannose & lauricide after the biofilm disrupting timeframe? Or do you take it during (but away from the time in which you take the biofilm disruptor)?
Thanks so much!
Hi Bianca, I am experiencing this same exact problem. Macrobid then Cipro and now they want to do a cystopricy. Can you please let me know what finally helped cure you? Thank you
Hi Nicole. First of thank you for this article and wanting to help people. I recently started self medicating myself after so many doctors fail to cure my asymptomatic e.coli bacteria. Even though I have no symptoms, I want to get rid of it because I am looking to get pregnant and having this existing bacteria can cause my premature labor or low weight delivery. Both very delicate.
I have taken more than 9 antibiotics only to find out that it is the worse thing to do since I recently learned that once biofilms form, no antibiotic will kill it and resistance occur.
My question to you is, I have been taking d mannose, interfere plus and Biofilm defense together, drinking lots of water and trying to get my urine ph. alkaline since I know that E.coli multiplication lessens this way in alkaline conditions . The more alkaline the better. However, the main thing here is breaking up those biofilms. I also plan to take two antibiotics together that showed to be sensitive to the existing E.coli. to start killing it once they start being released from the biofilms, but haven’t started yet to take them since I don’t know, how long will the biofilms start being destroyed by interface plus and biofilm defense. Its been a week already and I am not sure if I should begin the antibiotics or wait a little more.? how fast could they be working and be breaking those mature biofilms.?
Any thing that you might believe would help out at this point. I really want this to be over since I’ve had it for so many years and also for the pregnancy issue I explained. I understand you are not a doctor but interacting your thoughts with me would be great.
Hi Diana, I’m wondering if you ever figured out the best time to start antibiotics after beginning the biofilm disruptor? I haven’t started either but I’m thinking that’s my next option since I’ve tried antibiotics and d-mannose (separately, maybe together would be better??) and those didn’t help 100%. I take d-mannose every day now (for a few months) and it definitely keeps the UTI at bay, but I feel that pinch or sting like it’s still alive in there almost every day, especially when I have sex. What did you do and did it kill the UTI bacteria 100%?
Hi,
I have some questions regarding bladder biofilms:
1) Can Interfase Plus disrupt biofilms of beneficial bacteria?
2) Is there a chance that biofilm disruptor products could cause an active infection as you are killing off the bacteria? If so, would you recommend taking D Mannose with the biofilm disruptor and at what dose?
3) How long should you take the biofilm disruptor product for and at what dose?
4) Is Lactoferrin good for e.coli biofilms also?
Thank you
Hi Sam, these are in-depth questions that I can’t answer on a blog post comment (for liability reasons). I’d suggest you look for a functional medicine doctor or naturopath who can help you address your concerns. Thanks so much! 🙂
Interfase plus is meant to be taken away from meals or on an empty stomach as well as with a probiotic. I would say that if it does kill beneficial bacteria, the probiotic would take care of that
I started getting chronic UTIs after developing chronic kidney stones three years ago. The two bacteria’s I get are Strep B and ESBL, which is resistant to most antibiotics. Pretty sure I picked these up in our local hospital cause that’s where they commonly lurk. D Mannose did nothing for me and I’m allergic to cranberry and blueberry. Taking the Interfase Plus now with oregano oil. Ordered the Lauricidin and will add that to my regime. How long do you take the Interfase Plus and Lauricidin for?
Hi Karen, it depends on what’s going on with you specifically so I suggest you follow the instructions on the packaging.
Personally, I would take them for at least 1 month after feeling zero UTI symptoms. Try MicroGenDX after you stop your regimen to make sure you have no bacteria left
I am having chronic utis for over four years and every time it was e.colli,i treated e.colli but i have high eritrocides in my blood and high leukocydes on my urine..the cause of my uti is every time sex.what can i do??
Thank your Nicole this is going to be a great help! I was wondering do you recommend taking these products to prevent chronic UTIs or when you start getting the UTI symptoms? Also how long should the products be taken after you start? Like with antibiotics you need to continue to take them 7-10 days once you start.
Hey Robin, I can’t make specific recommendations for your situation on here unfortunately. I have only taken these products when a UTI is coming on but I encourage you to do your own research and see what others’ experiences are. xo
Anyone who has suffered from recurrent urinary tract infections recognizes the symptoms. When I get the first signs of the UTI, I take the Lady Soma Cranberry Concentrate and it nips it in the bud and provides relief. It contains methenamine, a substance that arrests the growth of bacteria in urine, and sodium salicylate, a mild analgesic. I take them like they say on the package and these pills work quickly providing much needed relief from the burning and pain of a UTI.
The bacteria causing my UTI according to my doctor is resistant to macrobid. Is there any way of knowing if it’s an E. coli bacteria or if I am one of the unlucky few who have a biofilm?
Annita, your doctor can tell you the type of bacteria that’s causing your UTI by taking a culture. Biofilms are pretty common, so that could of course be playing into the problem if you have chronic UTI’s.
I used to experience chronic uti’s anytime I was in a long term relationship, so terrible. This article was great though and very informative for people needing the information! I will add that I began using a product that I now swear by: Cystex Urinary Health Maintenance. It has a few of the ingredients you mentioned above, like D-Mannose and cranberry. Plus it has vitamin c and bromelain which act as an antalkaline, and FOS which is a prebiotic. It’s really helped control my urinary tract issues and since its an over the counter uti medication that’s more preventative, you can get it basically anywhere. Kinda saved me since I was just cutting down my sex life basically since I didn’t want to keep getting uti’s so much.
DMannose and cranberry alone do NOT work for me for post-coital UTIs (and I would *guaranteed* have a UTI every time, if I did not self-treat.) Here is what works: Bearberry (the herb – “Arctostaphylos uva-ursi”) – it is amazing and converts into hydroquinone once it is in the bladder and it basically annihilates bacteria. The general consensus is that it could be hard on the liver, but I am not sure if this is confirmed – Best to check with an ND (naturopathic doctor.)
My MD (a urologist) said I need to take 200mg of Cipro post-coital, each time. Even though this works and is cheap, I am not a fan of piling on the antibiotics as a “preventive measure.” It goes against common sense, to me. Overuse of antibiotics…
Trust me, try the bearberry, along with tons of water and urination then a shower immediately after sex.
I have Chronic UTIs and my bacteria is streptococcus aureus. I used to have a UTI a month for years (and they would often evolve to kidney infections).
I started taking Cysticlean – the recommended dose is 1 capsule a day, but that recommendation is for E. Coli, so it wouldn’t work around the time of my period (which was when I always got UTIs). So, I found a solution: 1 capsule a day and 2 capsules a day around the time of my period (1 in the morning, 1 at night). In the last 7 months I’ve only had two UTIs, so I think I can say “Problem solved”.
Lauricidin is effective against gram positive bacteria, which streptococcus aureus is! I would give it a try.
Is there an order in which you should try these? For instance, start with one, if that doesn’t work then go to another, etc? Thanks!
I suggest starting with D-Mannose. That works in the majority of cases. Then try the Lauricidin. But keep in mind that all of this is connected to your diet and stress (chronic overstimulation) – too much sugar or too many refined carbohydrates are definitely linked to chronic urinary or vaginal infections.
I wonder if people who commented here have tried candida cleanse. One of the symptoms for Candida overgrowth is frequent UTI. Antibiotic causes Candida overgrowth as well as UTI so it makes sense they might be linked as well. The key to killing candida overgrowth is cutting off sugar, which is always good for any condition or disease. I personally had tried to curb my sugar craving and failed so many times until I started eating fermented foods and probiotic. No more candida!
This is the reason I make the suggestion about the biofilm disruptor. 🙂
I used to get UTI’s pretty frequently. I started taking a cranberry capsul daily and I haven’t had a problem in about 4 years.
Glad that it worked for you Carla!! 🙂
What kind of cranberry pill you had taken? Thank you!
I take the preventative approach and make sure to take a quick shower or wipe down before sex. I’ve had two longterm partners who also cleaned up pre-sex, because I’ve told them I get UTIs easily. I’ve only had one UTI in the last 15+ years. It’s not the most romantic thing to run to the bathroom pre-sex, but neither is experiencing downtime due to a UTI. Also use very mild soap from a natural foods store. I had terrible bladder infections as a child and the doctor said it was the soap and bubble bath I was using. Kiss My Face olive oil soap is a gentle brand. And yes, you can use it everywhere 😉
Awesome suggestions Melanie!! I’ll use your comment on my FB Live Chat today as an example of to do’s to prevent UTI’s. xoxo
Is there ever a need to take an antibiotic for a UTI?
Great question Hillary! I can only speak to my experience – and it was that antibiotics did not work for eradicating my UTI’s, so I tried D-Mannose and it did just that. I think its very individual but most people I know with a chronic issue do not get long-term relief from antibiotics.
Absolutely loved this post all the information was very useful. Only issue I found was when I clicked on klaire labs buy here it took me to a speaker on amazon lol regardless this article was insanely helpful.
THANKS Jackie!! That’s so weird about the link! I am not having that issue. It doesn’t have an image which is why I shared the company’s website for more info, but here is the link again: http://amzn.to/2edqYTL
How do men get UTIs? Is it common?
Awesome question! Men get them much less frequently because of their anatomical differences to women. They get UTI’s because of bacteria, just like women, but the causes are a little different. Prostate issues, catheters and low immune function can contribute to them. If you experience frequent urination, pain on urination, cloudy or bad smelling pee, or a discharge from the penis, you should see your doctor to get tested.
Thank you for this!! I’ve struggled with chronic UTIs for the past year and the doctor said if I get another one she’s putting me on a low dosage antibiotic long term. I will def try these solutions next time!!!!!
Hi Jenna! You are so welcome! Definitely try these solutions and please consider staying away from a long term antibiotic. It can seriously worsen the issue and your overall health. Glad this was so helpful for you.xoxo