How to Cope With a Bladder Infection

A bladder infection is one type of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Bladder infections are more common in women than men and are typically caused by bacteria, but they can also be caused by kidney stones, STIs, complications from another illness, or genetics. Symptoms can be very uncomfortable and include: painful, frequent, or difficult urination; pelvic pain; bleeding in the bladder; and/or pain during intercourse.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceUS Office on Women's HealthU.S. government agency providing resources for women's healthGo to source}

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Dealing with Discomfort

1
Take over-the-counter drugs for pain relief. Aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen should offer some relief. Follow dosage instructions on the bottle unless otherwise advised by a health care professional.
- Your doctor may advise you to take up to 800 mg of ibuprofen every eight hours for extreme discomfort, but never do so without medical advice to avoid creating/worsening kidney problems or stomach problems such as gastritis and bleeding.
- Prescription pain medicines may be an option if over-the-counter pain relievers do not work, but is not usually advisable. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking prescription pain killers.
2
Use a heating pad on your lower abdomen. The heat soothes pain and is especially helpful when used in conjunction with pain relievers. If you don’t have a heating pad, make a warm compress by soaking a hand towel in warm water and wringing it out.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Heating pads can be bought at your local drugstore.
- Make sure you follow instructions on your heating pad to avoid burning your skin.
Avoid sugar, alcohol, tomatoes, spices, chocolate, caffeine, high-acid foods and artificial sweeteners when you first notice pain or bladder discomfort. These foods may make symptoms worse. ^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceUS Office on Women's HealthU.S. government agency providing resources for women's healthGo to source}
4
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and cranberry juice. Drinking at least ten glasses of fluids a day helps flush bacteria out of your system.^{[4]XResearch source} Cranberry juice can increase the acidity of your urine, which can help kill the bacteria. It can also prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder so that it can be flushed out.^{[5]XResearch source} ^{[6]XResearch source}
- Drinking a lot makes you urinate frequently, which helps get rid of bacteria and dilute urine so going is less painful.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Do not drink coffee, tea, or caffeinated beverages, as caffeine can further irritate your bladder.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Do not drink cranberry juice if you take blood-thinners because of a possible interaction.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Ask your doctor about possible interactions with any antibiotics you are taking before drinking cranberry juice with an active infection.^{[10]XResearch source}
Bacteria thrive in moist, warm environments. Wear cotton underwear and loose pants to circulate air and prevent moisture buildup.^{[11]XResearch source}
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting Medical Help

1
See your doctor. Whether this is your first bladder infection or a recurring one, see your health care provider to get a diagnosis. If left untreated, bladder infections could lead to worse conditions, including kidney infection.^{[12]XResearch source}
- The most common cause of a bladder infection is bacteria, specifically E. coli, but tests might be necessary to confirm there are no serious contributing factors.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- If you are male, seeing a doctor is important to rule out an enlarged prostate and other conditions.
- Children suffering from this condition must see a doctor right away.
2
Take antibiotics to treat the infection. Ask your health care provider if a course of antibiotics is recommended. Typically these must be taken for 3 days or up to two weeks, depending on the brand and type of antibiotic prescribed.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Make sure to complete the entire pack or bottle, even if you start feeling better before you have taken them all.
- Misuse (such as not completing the full course of treatment) and overuse of antibiotics both contribute to bacteria evolving to become more resistant to these drugs. The next time these bacteria reappear, they may not respond to the same medicines.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Infections may be caused by bacteria other than E. coli, including Staphylococcus, Chlamydia, and Mycoplasma. Only your doctor can determine which bacteria are involved and the type of antibiotic that will best treat it.
3
See a specialist for frequent infections. If you have had more than one infection every three months, ask your doctor about the possibility that you are infected with an antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Your doctor will perform a urine culture to determine if this is causing your recurring infections. You may also wish to ask for a referral to a urologist to check for interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome (IS/BPS). This is a chronic condition that involves inflammation of the bladder and may need different treatment.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- IS/BPS may have different causes, including nerve problems, a weak immune system, or genetic defects.
- IS/BPS patients may require a low-dose antibiotic taken for up six months to two years.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Preventing Reoccurrences

1
Practice good hygiene. Wipe from front to back when using the restroom. Take showers instead of baths, and clean your genitals with mild soap and water..^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Avoid scented bath products if you have frequent infections, since these may indicate you are hypersensitive to chemicals often found in such products. ^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Avoid using deodorants around these areas of your body.
- Change period products frequently.^{[20]XResearch source} You may also wish to switch from tampons to pads.
2
Take extra hygiene precautions if you are sexually active. Women suffer from cystitis more often than men, because their urethra is much shorter. Sexual activity can introduce bacteria into the vagina and cause an infection.
- Always urinate directly after intercourse if you suffer from repeat infections. This will help flush any bacteria from your system.^{[21]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- It is best to wash your genitals with mild soap and water before and after intercourse.
- Avoid scented feminine products and douches. These irritate your body and are unnecessary if you practice good hygiene.
- Avoid spermicides and internal birth control devices like diaphragms. Switch to oral birth control if possible.
3
Control stress. Stress may contribute to cystitis. Do something every day to decrease stress in your life, like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise.
- Learn yoga and practice it daily.
- Start a daily meditation practice.
- Find an exercise you enjoy and make time for it every day. There are so many different types of exercise that can be done inside, outside, or at a class or gym.
4
Drink plenty of fluids and cranberry juice to prevent infections. Cranberry juice may be better at preventing an infection than actually treating one.^{[22]XResearch source} You can also take cranberry tablets or pills as a preventative measure, though you should not take them if you are also taking blood thinners.^{[23]XResearch source}
- Drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.^{[24]XResearch source}
5
Talk to your doctor about medication. If you have frequent bladder infections, your doctor may recommend prophylactic treatment. Your doctor would prescribe you a low dose of antibiotics to take on a daily basis in hopes of preventing future infections.
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Tips

Always try to urinate when you feel the need, rather than holding it in for a long period of time. Whether you have an active infection or want to prevent one, it is better to find a restroom than to wait.
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Warnings

Never attempt to get rid of an infection yourself. Always seek the advice of a doctor, no matter how small an issue is. The faster, the better.
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