What are the most effective ways to relieve UTI pain at night? How can you prevent future urinary tract infections? Get the answers to these questions and more.

Managing UTI Pain at Night: Home Remedies and OTC Treatments

If you’ve experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI), you know the intense discomfort it can cause, especially at night when trying to sleep. UTIs occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract, infecting parts of the urinary system including the bladder, urethra, and kidney. The symptoms of a UTI can result in disturbed, restless nights with burning sensations, frequent urges to urinate, and sometimes abdominal or flank pain and cramping.

While prescription antibiotics are the primary treatment for UTIs, there are also various home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that can help relieve the pain and discomfort to help you sleep better. Some effective options include:

OTC Pain Medications

Medications like phenazopyridine (Azo), acetaminophen, and ibuprofen can all offer relief for UTI-related pain and discomfort.

Increased Fluid Intake

Drinking plenty of water and other non-carbonated, low-sugar fluids can help dilute your urine and flush out bacteria from your bladder. Studies show that increasing your overall water intake can decrease your risk of recurrent UTIs.

Fully Emptying the Bladder

Frequent and complete urination is essential to help rid your bladder of harmful bacteria and prevent the worsening of your infection. Don’t hold it in – go when you have the urge.

Avoiding Bladder Irritants

Steer clear of alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and spicy foods, as these can exacerbate bladder discomfort and pain.

Applying Heat

Using a warm heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower abdomen can help minimize bladder pressure and reduce related pain and cramping.

Herbal Remedies and Supplements

While not proven to treat UTIs, certain herbal supplements like garlic extract, D-mannose, and cranberry may have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help relieve symptoms.

Common Symptoms of a UTI

UTI symptoms can vary depending on factors like age, sex, the type of infection, and severity. Common signs of a UTI include:

• Intense, frequent urge to urinate
• Burning sensation or pain when urinating
• Passing small amounts of cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain in women
• Pain in the side, lower abdomen, or back
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Fever

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment, as a UTI can sometimes indicate a more serious kidney infection.

Preventing Future UTIs

While some individuals may be more prone to UTIs, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent future infections:

1. Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water
2. Fully empty your bladder when urinating
3. Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
4. Avoid using feminine hygiene products that can irritate the urethra
5. Urinate after sexual activity
6. Wear loose, breathable clothing
7. Consider taking cranberry supplements or drinking cranberry juice

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If home remedies and OTC treatments aren’t providing relief for your UTI symptoms, or if you’re experiencing signs of a more serious infection like fever, chills, or back pain, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider. They can properly diagnose your condition and prescribe the appropriate antibiotics or other medications to treat the infection and alleviate your discomfort.

Key Takeaways

UTIs can cause significant pain and discomfort, especially at night when trying to sleep. While prescription antibiotics are the primary treatment, there are several home remedies and OTC options that can help provide relief, including increased fluid intake, bladder-soothing techniques, and certain herbal supplements. Practicing good prevention habits can also help reduce your risk of future UTIs. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if your symptoms persist or worsen.

FAQs

What is the fastest way to get rid of a UTI?

The quickest way to get rid of a UTI is to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed by your healthcare provider. Antibiotics are the primary treatment for UTIs and can start relieving symptoms within a day or two. Complementary home remedies like increased fluid intake and pain relievers can also help manage discomfort while the antibiotics do their work.

Can a UTI go away on its own?

It is possible for a mild UTI to clear up on its own without antibiotics, but this is not recommended. Most UTIs require antibiotic treatment to fully resolve the infection and prevent it from spreading to the kidneys or becoming more severe. Trying to wait out a UTI without medication can lead to worsening symptoms and greater risk of complications.

Why do UTIs keep coming back?

There are a few common reasons why some people experience recurrent UTIs:

• Incomplete treatment of the initial infection
• Underlying conditions that make them more prone to UTIs, like diabetes
• Poor hygiene habits that allow bacteria to enter the urinary tract
• Sexual activity that introduces new bacteria into the urinary system

Practicing good prevention methods and following up with a healthcare provider can help reduce the likelihood of recurring UTIs.

How To Relieve UTI Pain at Night

If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you know they can cause incredible pain and discomfort.

And they’re extremely common: More than half of all women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, and though less common, men can get them as well.

UTIs occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract, infecting parts of the urinary system including the bladder, urethra, and kidney. 

The symptoms of a UTI can result in disturbed, restless nights with burning sensations, frequent urges to urinate, and sometimes abdominal or flank pain and cramping.

While UTI treatment requires a course of prescription antibiotics, there are also home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that can help relieve pain so you can sleep.

In this article, I’ll go over a few of these remedies, the common symptoms of UTIs, ways to prevent future infections, and discuss when it’s time to speak with a healthcare provider about your symptoms.  

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Home Remedies for UTI Pain Relief

​OTC pain medications like phenazopyridine (Azo), acetaminophen, and ibuprofen can all offer some relief for UTI pain.

There are also other effective home remedies you can try, most of which are likely already in your home.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking water and other non-carbonated, low-sugar fluids helps dilute your urine and flushes bacteria from your bladder.

Proper hydration can also prevent further bacteria growth.

Studies show that increasing your overall water intake can decrease your risk of recurrent UTIs.

On average, it’s suggested that women get at least 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) and men 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water per day, but that number varies from person to person, and about 20 percent of that water will likely come from food.

Your goal should be to see clear or light yellow urine, and to urinate at least every four hours.

Empty the bladder

It’s important to fully empty your bladder to prevent the further growth of bacteria, especially when you have a UTI.

Frequent urination is essential in helping to rid your bladder of harmful bacteria, and prevent the worsening of your infection. So don’t hold it! Go when you have to go. 

Avoid food and beverages that may irritate the bladder

The most common bladder irritants are alcohol, caffeinated drinks, carbonated beverages, and spicy dishes.

Both caffeine and alcohol have been found to increase bladder spasming, which can make UTI pain worse. And when men and women increased their intake of coffee or soda, they had higher chances of getting UTI symptoms.

Use a heating pad

Applying a warm heating pad or hot water bottle to your lower abdomen can help minimize bladder pressure and reduce abdominal and low back pain or cramping.

Herbal remedies and vitamins

No herbal remedy has been proven to treat or prevent a UTI, and not all are tested for safety, so it’s best to discuss any herbal treatments with a healthcare professional first.

There are some herbal supplements that may have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can be helpful in treating UTI symptoms.

Studies have shown that certain herbal supplements, like garlic extract, have strong anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the growth of bacteria, including E. coli.

Other natural supplements like D-mannose, a sugar naturally found in foods like cranberries and apples, may have antibacterial properties which can help relieve UTI discomfort. Both can be taken in the form of a capsule. 

Cranberry extract or cranberry juice or a vitamin C supplement may also help a UTI go away faster by changing the pH balance of your urine to help keep bacteria from growing.

While not proven to treat a UTI, these may help you feel better faster.

Symptoms of a UTI

UTI symptoms may vary depending on your age and sex, the type of infection you have, and the severity of your infection.

If you have a UTI, you may experience any of the following: 

• An intense, persistent, and frequent urge to urinate
• A burning sensation or pain when urinating or just after urinating
• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
• Cloudy urine
• Blood in the urine
• Strong or foul-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain in women
• Pain in the side, lower abdomen, or back
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Fever

Depending on the type of UTI you have, you may have more specific signs and symptoms.

Symptoms can be similar for a bladder infection or a more serious kidney infection, and in some cases, a vaginal infection or sexually transmitted infection can also cause similar symptoms.

This is why it’s best to visit a healthcare professional for a diagnosis and treatment. 

How to Prevent a UTI

While some individuals may be at higher risk for a UTI, there are plenty of lifestyle changes you can practice to prevent infections. 

• Stay well hydrated: Drinking water will help dilute your urine and continually flush bacteria from your bladder. 

• Try cranberry juice: Some studies suggest that cranberries contain an active ingredient that can prevent bacteria like e.coli from adhering to the bladder or urinary tract. Be mindful of the ingredients, as some cranberry juices can be quite high in sugar. Look for pure cranberry juice or take a cranberry extract supplement.

• Don’t fight the urge to urinate: Urinating frequently can help flush bacteria from the bladder, and reduce your risk of recurring UTIs. Try not to hold in your pee for too long. 

• Practice good personal hygiene: Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to prevent the transferring of unwanted bacteria to the urethra. While menstruating, women should change tampons and pads frequently. 

• Use the bathroom immediately after sexual activity: During sexual activity, including masturbation, bacteria from the rectal area can get pushed towards the opening of the urethra. Peeing right after sexual contact helps to flush any bacteria out of the urinary system and prevents infections. 

• Avoid douching or any internal cleansing of the vagina: Douching can not only irritate the urethra, but it can also change the natural protective pH balance and bacteria in the vagina. This can put you at risk not only for a UTI, but also vaginal infections.

• Switch to breathable, cotton underwear: Bacteria thrives in warm, moist environments, so avoiding synthetic, tight-fitting underwear and thongs can help prevent infections.

• Wear breathable clothing: Avoid tight fitting clothes that can trap moisture and encourage bacterial growth.

• Change up your birth control: Certain forms of birth control, like diaphragms and spermicide, can change the natural bacteria that occurs in the vagina, making it easier for harmful bacteria to grow.

• Avoid fragranced soaps and bath products: Highly fragranced bath and shower products, even those that are advertised for genital use, can cause irritation and can change the natural protective pH of the vagina which can lead to infections. Bubble baths and bath bombs especially can cause this type of irritation. 

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When To See a Healthcare Provider

Conversations about urinary symptoms can be uncomfortable, but if you’re experiencing symptoms consistent with a UTI, it’s best to seek medical advice. Your provider can order tests if needed, discuss treatment options, and help you understand the cause of your infection, as well as providing strategies to prevent recurrences.

The sooner you seek help, the sooner those painful symptoms will be gone—and you can go back to getting a good night’s sleep.

How K Health Can Help

Did you know that you can get UTI treatment online through K Health?

We have clinicians available 24/7 to get you the care or medication that you need.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions,
and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

• An introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections. (2019).
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502976/

• Natural therapeutics for urinary tract infections—a review (2020).
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7498302/

• Effects of urine alkalinization with sodium bicarbonate orally on lower urinary tract symptoms in female patients: a pilot study (2018).
  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00192-017-3492-3

• Essential Oils, A New Horizon in Combating Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance (2014).
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3950955/

• Urinary Tract Infections (2020).
  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9135-urinary-tract-infections#diagnosis-and-tests

• Evidence of the Impact of Diet, Fluid Intake, Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Systematic Review. (2017).
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28479236/

• How to prevent a urinary tract infection | Understanding UTIs, Part 2 (2020).
  https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2020/05/21/how-to-prevent-a-urinary-tract-infection-understanding-utis-part-2/

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symptoms, treatment, prevention discussed with an obstetrician-gynecologist

The weekend was great. You went camping with headscarves, or went to the beach, where you swam a lot, and then sat in a cold wet swimsuit, or went to a picnic, where everything was fine, except that on cool evenings you sat on the cold ground for too long

The weekend went great. You went camping with headscarves, or went to the beach, where you swam a lot, and then sat in a cold wet swimsuit, or went to a picnic, where everything was fine, except that on cool evenings you sat on the cold ground for too long … And now as a result, do you feel a sharp pain when urinating, a feeling of impossibility to go to the toilet, do you have to squeeze out the liquid literally drop by drop? As sad as it is, most likely you have cystitis.

Our consultant: obstetrician-gynecologist EUROMED Clinics Alina Vladimirovna CHAPLOUTSKAYA.

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. This term is often used to refer to a urinary infection associated with inflammation of the bladder mucosa and impaired function.

The appearance of cystitis can be provoked by trauma to the mucous membrane of the bladder, problems with urination, diseases of the bladder and nearby organs (prostate, urethra, genital organs), intestinal bacteria, blood stasis in the veins of the pelvis, hormonal disorders, beriberi, hypothermia, etc.

Women are more likely to suffer from cystitis than men – approximately 20 to 40% of the female population has experienced this disease.

Cystitis is primary and secondary, acute and chronic, infectious and non-infectious. Symptoms of cystitis depend on its type.

Symptoms

Acute cystitis is characterized by frequent urination , accompanied by “cutting” pain, hematuria (blood in the urine), discomfort in the lower abdomen, aggravated by urination, cloudy urine, fever, general malaise.

Chronic cystitis may have little or no symptoms. The only thing to notice is the increased urge to urinate.

Acute cystitis is diagnosed according to the clinical picture – pronounced symptoms make it easy to identify this disease. Chronic cystitis is determined by characteristic symptoms, urinalysis results, bacteriological studies, cystoscopy, functional studies of the lower urinary tract.

Treatment

Do not delay in contacting a doctor! Only a doctor will be able to assess your condition and prescribe an effective treatment, thanks to which you will forget about discomfort very quickly. With cystitis, antibiotics are usually prescribed, as well as drugs that relieve spasm of the muscles of the bladder, which reduces pain.

In acute cystitis, patients are recommended a special diet with a low calcium content and plenty of fluids, including herbal infusions that have a diuretic effect. But it is better to refuse tea, coffee and alcohol for the period of treatment. To reduce pain, you can use heating pads, take warm baths.

Prevention of cystitis

• Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid per day.
• Do not hold back urination, empty your bladder regularly. Stagnant urine is a great breeding ground for bacteria.
• Hygiene is important – wash at least once a day, while the direction of movement of the sponge should be from front to back – to avoid bacteria from entering the anus into the vagina. Toilet paper should be used in the same way.
• Choose safe sex.
• Urinate after intercourse. So you wash away the bacteria that got into the urethra during the act.
• Underwear should be made of natural fabrics, you should not wear synthetic panties on a regular basis, and especially thongs, no matter how beautiful they may be.
• Avoid hypothermia: do not sit on cold surfaces, immediately take off your wet swimsuit and put on dry underwear, etc.

Services

Nephrologist’s consultation

Urologist’s consultation

Therapist’s consultation

Pediatric urologist

Treatment of cystitis

Author of the article

Chaploutskaya Alina Vladimirovna
Head of outpatient gynecology and obstetrics service, obstetrician-gynecologist, specialist in aesthetic and reconstructive gynecology

Cystitis: symptoms, treatment and prevention

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Cystitis: symptoms, treatment, prevention

Cystitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bladder. Most often found in girls and women. This is due to the anatomical structure of the urethra – unlike men, in the fairer sex, the urethra is wide and short, which allows pathogenic microflora to more easily penetrate the mucous membrane of the bladder and provoke the development of the inflammatory process.

The main manifestations of cystitis:

• frequent urge to urinate pain in the lower abdomen in the projection of the bladder
• burning and pain on completion of urination
• feeling of incomplete emptying after urination
• false urge to urinate
• Urinary incontinence
• cloudy color of urine with an unpleasant odor
• blood in urine
• increase in body temperature up to 38º C with significant inflammation
• nausea, vomiting

Causes of cystitis

Most often – Escherichia coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, chlamydia, fungi and other microorganisms. Sometimes – after surgical or instrumental intervention. In men, a common cause of cystitis is inflammation of the prostate gland or congestion in it.

Treatment of acute cystitis

The key to successful treatment of cystitis is a timely appeal to the urologist when the first symptoms of cystitis appear. The doctor will conduct the correct diagnosis and prescribe an adequate treatment for the disease.
Timely access to a doctor and careful implementation of prescriptions – the symptoms of cystitis disappear after 3-5 days from the start of therapy
The main treatment for cystitis is the appointment of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The dosage of the drug, the number of doses per day and the duration of the course of treatment are prescribed only by the doctor, based on the indicators of urine tests, the course of the disease, and the general condition of the patient. In addition, the patient is prescribed antispasmodics, analgesics, vitamins and immunomodulators.