Bladder infections are considered the most common urinary tract infections, typically causing uncomfortable symptoms like a frequent and urgent need to urinate, a burning or stinging sensation when emptying the bladder, and abdominal pain.
In this article, we outline the most effective treatments and home remedies to get rid of bladder infections.
What Causes Bladder Infections?
Bladder infections are typically caused by a bacterial infection in the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters. A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when harmful bacteria enter the urethra, and 90% of the time, the culprit is bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E. coli).
E. coli is a type of bacteria that naturally lives in the intestines and the skin around the anus. When isolated there, this type of bacteria is not harmful, however, when spread to the urethra, a UTI typically occurs. When the bacteria spread up through the urinary tract into the bladder, it causes a bladder infection.
Why Are Bladder Infections More Common in Women?
The fact that the anus is anatomically closer to the female urethra is one of the reasons that UTIs and bladder infections are more common in women. Wiping from back to front after using the toilet, inserting tampons, and having penetrative sex can all spread E. coli from the anus to the urethra.
Bladder infections are also more common during pregnancy due to the extra pressure on the bladder from a growing baby. This extra pressure from the uterus can prevent the bladder from emptying, thereby allowing unflushed bacteria to grow and flourish in the bladder.
Women going through perimenopause and menopause can also suffer from more frequent bladder infections due to lower levels of estrogen. Reduced levels of estrogen are known to thin the vaginal walls as well as the lining of the urethra, making it easier for harmful bacteria to move through the urinary tract.
Additionally, estrogen contributes to the presence of beneficial bacteria in the vaginal microbiome. When estrogen levels drop during this stage of life, the lowered levels of beneficial bacteria make the vagina more prone to vaginal and bladder infections.
Bladder Infection Symptoms
Bladder infections typically cause symptoms like a sudden and frequent urge to pee, pain in the form of burning or stinging while peeing, and pelvic discomfort manifesting as abdominal cramping or lower back pain. Sometimes, urine can appear cloudy or pink due to small amounts of blood, and many women also experience a strong odor like ammonia from their urine.
How to Get Rid of Bladder Infections
The first line of medical treatment for bladder infections is an antibiotic to kill the offending bacteria.
Although most commonly caused by E. coli, bladder infections are sometimes caused by other bacteria too, so it's important to visit a healthcare provider who can prescribe the appropriate antibiotic to treat the underlying cause.
Without antibiotic treatment, bladder infections can spread to the kidneys and travel through the bloodstream to cause sepsis.
That said, research has shown that women who have taken antibiotics for previous bladder infections can become immune to the benefits of the medication. This means the offending bacteria may not be fully eradicated and cause recurring bladder infections or UTIs.
Another side effect of taking antibiotics for bladder infections is their propensity to destroy beneficial bacteria as well as harmful bacteria. When beneficial bacteria like lactobacilli are eradicated by antibiotics, the vagina becomes more susceptible to vaginal yeast infections and other forms of vaginitis.
To counteract these side effects when treating a bladder infection, or to get rid of recurring bladder infections once and for all, female health experts recommend incorporating the following natural remedies in conjunction with a course of antibiotics.
A Daily Probiotic
As well as maintaining gut health, probiotics are also beneficial for improving vaginal health after an infection. When taken in conjunction with antibiotics, Flora Bloom Feminine Probiotics can help to restore a balanced vaginal microbiome. Re-establishing the delicate balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria that naturally reside in the vagina will help to prevent further bladder infections from developing.
A Daily Aloe Vera Supplement
Taking a daily aloe vera supplement in conjunction with antibiotics for a bladder infection will ease the frequent need to urinate faster as well as the stinging pain that accompanies it. Studies have shown that aloe vera can reduce urinary frequency and urgency by as much as 92% in women with bladder infections.
Here at Intimate Rose, we’ve also added D-mannose and calcium to our aloe vera supplements for added relief. D-mannose is a type of natural sugar that prevents harmful bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract and bladder wall, and the alkalizing properties of calcium help restore a healthy vaginal pH balance after infection.
Eliminate Irritating Drinks & Foods
In addition to alcohol, coffee, and tea, foods that are acidic, citrus, or spicey are known to irritate the bladder. When recovering from a bladder infection, avoiding these drinks and foods will help the recovery and healing process.
Drink Lots of Water
Drinking at least 2.5 liters of water per day will help to flush the harmful bacteria causing the infection from the bladder and urethra.
Pee When You Need To
Although the frequent need to urinate can be bothersome with a bladder infection, holding it will only allow the bacteria to thrive and multiply in the bladder. Urinating when you need to will help to flush the bacteria. That said, it is important to avoid going to the bathroom “just in case” as this also lends to bladder issues.
Refrain from Sex
Because harmful bacteria can be easily spread from the anus to the female urethra during sex, it’s best to take a break from sexual activity until a bladder infection has cleared.
Helpful Tips to Prevent Bladder Infections
Females of any age are susceptible to bladder infections, and most will experience at least one in their lifetime. However, some women are more prone to recurring bladder infections than others. To prevent them, consider applying the following tips to your lifestyle and hygiene routines.
- Wash the vagina daily with warm water (unscented soap is optional)
- Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet
- Drink 2.0-2.5 liters of water every day to flush harmful bacteria from the body
- Always pee after sex, and wash the genitals with warm water, to prevent harmful bacteria from traveling up the urinary tract
- If you suffer from repeated bladder infections, take a daily probiotic and aloe vera supplement with added d-mannose and calcium to promote bladder health and prevent future infections
- When using the toilet, take some extra time to empty the bladder. This will prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to the urethra and thriving in the bladder
- Don’t use spermicides as a form of contraception to maintain healthy vaginal pH levels
- Refrain from douching and using fragranced hygiene products in the vagina to avoid upsetting the natural balance of the vaginal microbiome. Instead, use warm water and unscented soap
- Shower instead of sitting in baths where bacteria can breed
- Wear cotton underwear instead of synthetic ones to prevent a build-up of humidity around the genitals where bacteria can thrive. Loose pants are also better for vaginal health than tight pants or jeans
Conclusion
Bladder infections are common in women of all ages and are known to reoccur more frequently in those who are sexually active, pregnant, or menopausal. Antibiotics are the most recommended form of treatment for bladder infections; however, recurring bladder infections often build up an immunity to antibiotic treatment.
In these cases, a daily probiotic, aloe vera supplements, and some simple lifestyle changes will eliminate the risk of recurring bladder infections.
References
Cleveland Clinic – Urinary Tract Infections - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9135-urinary-tract-infections
American Pregnancy Association – Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy - https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-complications/urinary-tract-infections-during-pregnancy/
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - UTIs After Menopause: Why They’re Common and What to Do About Them - https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/utis-after-menopause-why-theyre-common-and-what-to-do-about-them
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases – Treatment for Bladder Infection in Adults - https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/treatment
National Library of Medicine - Use of Lactobacillus probiotics for bacterial genitourinary infections in women: a review - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18405785/
Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology - Aloe vera gel: Effective Therapeutic agent against Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infection - https://microbiologyjournal.org/aloe-vera-gel-effective-therapeutic-agent-against-extended-spectrum-%CE%B2-lactamase-producing-escherichia-coli-isolated-from-patients-with-urinary-tract-infection-in-tehran-iran/