How to Soothe UTI Pain as You Wait for Your Prescription to Kick In
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If you’ve ever had a UTI, a.k.a. a urinary tract infection, you know the agony that often comes with one: peeing (what feels like) shards of glass and constantly feeling like you have to go, even when you’ve just been to the toilet. “It’s a very intrusive kind of pain that’s difficult to ignore,” Anne Ackerman, MD, an associate professor of urology at UCLA Health, who also specializes in urogynecology and pelvic health, tells SELF. UTIs usually happen when bacteria enter your urinary tract through the urethra, eventually spreading to the bladder. If it’s left untreated, it can even lead to a kidney infection in rare (but severe) cases.
While they can sometimes clear up on their own, most UTIs are usually treated with a course of antibiotics. Unfortunately, when that dreaded throbbing hits, you might have to wait to see your provider (say, you can't nab an appointment or symptoms start at night while urgent care is closed). Then, once you get put on meds, it may be a day or two, or longer, before relief kicks in.
First, breathe: UTIs are super common—about half of women will have at least one in their lives—and you will get through this. Next, try these tips to take the edge off and feel a whole lot better in the meantime.
Take an OTC pain reliever.
When you’ve got a UTI, your abdomen, pelvic area, and lower back might tense up and become inflamed because you’re literally in so much pain. That’s where over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can really step in to help cut back on inflammation, E. Ann Gormley, MD, a urologist at Dartmouth Health who focuses on female urology, tells SELF.
If your doc has recommended that you avoid NSAIDs (say, you’re pregnant or have a health condition like Crohn’s disease, a history of ulcers, or high blood pressure), she says you could try acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help cut back on the discomfort—but it may not curb the inflammation.
While, again, antibiotics are considered a frontline UTI treatment, a 2020 meta-analysis suggested that NSAIDs can be considered an alternative for mild infections. Another study found that 39% to 58% of women had their UTI symptoms resolved by the third or fourth day with NSAIDs alone. Bottom line: You need to see a health care provider if you have UTI symptoms. But NSAIDs, if you can take them, can be a powerful tool in your arsenal to fight those unpleasant feelings.
Drink lots of water.
Staying hydrated is super important when you have a UTI, Carolyn Botros, DO, a urogynecologist at Atlantic Health System, tells SELF. That’s because drinking water helps flush bacteria out of your bladder and dilute your urine, Kecia Gaither, MD, an ob-gyn in New York City, says. This can help minimize some of the burning when you pee. Dehydration may make your stream more concentrated and intensify the sensation.
How much should you drink? Though about eight glasses (or 64 ounces) every day is a good starting point, Dr. Gormley says, it doesn’t hurt to sip a bit more when you think you have a UTI. A small 2018 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women who had recurrent UTIs experienced fewer infections when they increased their intake by 1.5 liters a day for 12 or more months. Just be wary of drinking too much in the hopes it’ll solve your woes. Overhydration can strain your kidneys, and in rare cases, lead to potentially life-threatening water intoxication, known as hyponatremia. While there’s no set amount for how much water will push you over the edge, know that the kidneys can process about a liter of fluid per hour (so chugging more than that puts you in the danger zone).
Dr. Botros also recommends limiting food and drinks that are “bladder irritants,” like coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, citrus, and carbonated beverages. And cranberry juice, often cited as a UTI remedy, may actually irritate things more, Dr. Gormley adds. However, there’s some evidence that both cranberry juice and the extract itself may help prevent recurrent UTIs—so just chat with your doc about the best course of action.
Also, you shouldn’t hold it in, Dr. Gaither says. That’s because urinating naturally flushes bacteria from the body, she explains, so it can help lower your risk of getting repeat infections. Refraining from peeing can help bacteria multiply.
Try an OTC UTI medication.
Urinary analgesics, like phenazopyridine (better known as AZO, Uristat, or Pyridium), can help relieve the burning sensation of a UTI by numbing the urinary tract. “It can at least take the bite out of things while you’re trying to let your body work through it,” Dr. Ackerman explains. Importantly, though, these meds won’t cure an infection.
Don’t be alarmed, but they may also turn your pee bright orange, Dr. Gormley says. Urinary analgesics often contain a dye that can stain your urine and tears, so it can show up on underwear and even tint your contact lenses. Another thing to note: You should only take them for no more than two days in a row—it’s really just a way to relieve discomfort until your antibiotics kick in. Also, the dye can sometimes interfere with the reliability of a urinalysis, which is a test that examines the appearance of your pee and checks for blood cells, proteins, and other substances that might indicate an infection. However, these meds won’t affect urine culture results, she explains, so tell your doctor if you’re taking it before having these tests.
Use a heating pad.
When you have pain in your pelvic area, abdomen, lower back, and the surrounding muscles, Dr. Ackerman says, “heating pads and hot soaks” can help relax the muscles and minimize aching. (Here are 11 heating pads for cramps and muscle aches.) Make sure your bath is warm and not scalding to avoid burning your skin. And don’t soak too long—your tub can be filled with bacteria (even if you can’t see it!), making it easy for it to reach your urethra. And definitely avoid bubble baths, since soapy water can irritate your urethra.
Practice mindfulness or breathing exercises.
It’s hard not to feel stressed when you’re sitting on the toilet desperate to find a comfortable position. But taking steps to calm your mind and body can make things feel a bit more bearable. Deep breathing, or breathing through your diaphragm, for example, has been shown to help some people manage chronic pain symptoms. (Here are five deep breathing exercises to calm you down.) A small study suggested that mindfulness-based stress reduction, or meditation, could help patients with bladder pain. (Here are seven simple mindfulness exercises to try.) “People really underestimate the value of mindfulness and breathing in those situations,” Dr. Ackerman says.
You might try binge-watching your favorite show, calling a friend, or reading a book too. That’s because research suggests that social distraction—something as simple as small talk—especially, may help minimize how severe pain feels, so feel free to text or swap voice notes with a pal. (Here are a few things to watch on Netflix when you’re stressed.)
When to worry about your UTI pain
According to Dr. Gormley, it’s important to get a urinalysis and urine culture from your doctor to confirm that you have an infection—and knock it out with the right treatment—straight away. If they prescribe you an antibiotic, start taking it as soon as you get it and finish the entire course of treatment, Dr. Botros says. “A lot of people think, ‘I’m feeling better. Maybe I can just stop the antibiotics.’ Sometimes, UTIs will come back.” You may need to take medication anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
If your symptoms get worse, or you develop fever, chills, or pain in your upper back, Dr. Gormley suggests going to the emergency room, as these can be signs that the infection has spread to your kidneys. You might also feel nauseous or have cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine.
You can generally prevent UTIs by drinking lots of water, wiping front to back, and peeing before and after sex. Also, avoid feminine hygiene products, like douches and sprays, as those can contain irritating ingredients. If you’re peri- or postmenopausal and get recurrent UTIs, you might want to talk with your doctor about vaginal estrogen cream or suppositories, which may strengthen your urethra muscles and increase the healthy bacteria living in your vagina and bladder to better fight off infections.
If you seem to get UTIs a lot, she suggests seeking out a urogynecologist who specializes in pelvic floor conditions for people assigned female at birth, or a urologist who focuses on urinary health. You might actually have something else causing your symptoms, like interstitial cystitis (IC) (a chronic condition that causes bladder discomfort) or a sexually transmitted infection, like chlamydia. “We get patients better most of the time, but sometimes we’re the third or fourth doctor someone’s seen in the process,” Dr. Botros. “So, just seek us out.”
This waiting period for UTI pain to pass sucks—there are no two ways around it—but firing up a comforting show with a heating pad on your lap or exchanging memes with your BFF in the meantime can make a world of difference in the meantime. Hang in there.
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Originally Appeared on SELF
