The evidence comes from three Cochrane Reviews* and is relevant to women with recurrent UTIs. This blog does not cover the evidence….CONTINUE READING...CONTINUE READING
on pregnant women, children, men, older adults, or other groups of people such as those who have issues emptying their bladder.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect your urinary tract, including your bladder, urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body) or kidneys. Symptoms may include pain or a burning sensation when peeing, pain in your lower back or stomach, or needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual. You can see other possible symptoms of UTIs on the NHS website
. Some people get UTIs that keep coming back – and want to find ways of preventing them from returning.
NHS advice is to see your GP if you have symptoms of a UTI for the first time
. The first time you have a UTI, you may be prescribed an antibiotic, and given advice about how to prevent recurrent UTIs. There are a number of practical things you can do (or avoid doing) to prevent UTIs.
If you have two UTIs within six months, or a UTI comes back after treatment, your GP may prescribe you a different antibiotic, prescribe a low-dose antibiotic for up to 6 months, or a vaginal cream containing oestrogen (if you have gone through the menopause).
Efforts to prevent UTIs from coming back have often relied on long‐term use of a low dose of antibiotics. However, there may be side effects including diarrhoea, as well as antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is a serious issue where, over time, people could develop infections which cannot be easily treated with antibiotics.
There are also a number of options, available without a prescription, and you may be wondering whether they are worth trying:
It can be helpful to think BRAIN
: What are the Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, what do I want and what if I do Nothing? These can be good questions to talk about with the health professional you see. This could be a pharmacist, a nurse, or a GP.
The evidence suggests that cranberries (either cranberry juice, tablets or powder) compared to placebo or no treatment probably reduce the risk of UTIs coming back among women with recurrent UTIs.
There is not enough evidence to say whether cranberry products are better or worse than antibiotics at preventing further UTIs.
Any treatment can have unwanted effects.
The evidence suggests that few people may have side effects. The most common side effect of cranberries may be stomach pain.
Other options – also available without a prescription – include:
Around 1 in every 3 women who have had a UTI are likely to have another one within the next 6-12 months. If you do no nothing to try and prevent them from coming back, you’re more likely to have recurrent UTIs.
The NHS website has more trustworthy information about UTIs.
If you have questions, you could speak with your pharmacist, or a health professional at a GP practice….CONTINUE READING
