Common Health Myths You Need to Stop Believing

If you’re a female, you’ve probably experienced at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) in your life. You were probably made aware of some at-home remedies you could try, such as drinking cranberry juice. You may have tried this and maybe even relayed this information to others.

Unfortunately, many of these remedies aren’t useful remedies at all. In fact, there are a slew of common mythical remedies that continue to be shared even though they don’t do much to aid in the relief of a UTI.

Here are seven of those common remedies for a urinary tract infection that you should stop believing.

7 Common UTI Remedies That Don’t Work

Cranberry juice and supplements: This is the most common remedy that is passed around. The moment you hear UTI, you think of cranberry juice or supplements. Several studies have come out as of late revealing that cranberry doesn’t do much to reduce or cure UTIs. Although there doesn’t seem to be any harm related to taking cranberry supplements, cranberry cocktail juices are high in sugar and can cause gastrointestinal issues.

Letting a UTI pass: You may think that a UTI, like a cold, will pass on its own. This is a hazardous practice as UTIs require antibiotics. If left untreated, the infection can worsen and spread, leading to other complications like kidney infections or hospitalization. If you suspect a UTI, go see your doctor.

Douching: Many women may opt for douching, as it is believed to help clean the vagina. On the contrary, douching isn’t a good practice. Not only does it remove harmful bacteria, but it removes good bacteria too. This can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and result in an imbalance in the vagina. Your vagina is a self-cleaning area, so don’t feel the need to give it a hand by douching.

Taking antibiotics as UTI prevention: If you suffer from reoccurring UTIs, you may take antibiotics as a preventative method. This can disrupt your bacterial balance along with increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Vitamin C supplements: Although vitamin C is often recommended to boost one’s immunity, taking it as a UTI remedy won’t do you much good. Long-term use of vitamin C at dosages higher than 2,000mg a day can lead to unwanted side effects. There isn’t much supporting evidence to suggest the regular intake of vitamin C for UTIs.

Avoiding fluid: Some women avoid fluids when they have a UTI to not experience painful urination. But drinking fluids is essential in helping to eliminate and flush out bacteria. By not drinking fluids, you’re allowing bacteria to grow and linger in the bladder and possibly spread elsewhere. Furthermore, regular fluid intake can help prevent UTIs because bacteria is being flushed out on the regular.

Wrong antibiotics: Some antibiotics aren’t as beneficial for UTIs as others. Because a UTI can stem from different bacteria, there are specific antibiotics to treat different strains. Always see your doctor to have your urine tested to ensure you receive the right antibiotics.

Also read:

• Kidney stones vs. urinary tract infection (UTI) differences in symptoms, causes, and treatment
• How to get rid of a UTI naturally?
• 19 Best Essential Oils for UTI: Usage and Warnings