Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

By Robin Nielsen

Urinary tract infections are common in women with PCOS and in later years during peri-menopause and menopause. If caught early they are easy to support naturally. Antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment at the doctor’s office, but using antibiotics can cause more UTIs, and kill off beneficial vaginal flora as well as gut flora.

So what can you do?

Know the Symptoms:

  • A strong persistent urge to urinate
  • Cloudy urine
  • Burning on urination
  • May be blood in the urine
  • Fever if it’s progressed
  • Back pain if it’s gone up into the kidneys

Test to make sure it’s a UTI and not interstitial cystitis. You can use something like AZO Test strips. With interstitial cystitis (IC) there is no bacterial infection, although if you have IC you could also have a UTI.

Frequent urination can also be caused by anxiety and more obsessive personality traits causing frequent visits to the bathroom at night. So skip over to anxiety if you do not test positive for a UTI nor have pelvic pain. Click here to learn more

Natural Solutions

Healing a UTI naturally is a lot easier than you might think. Here are the steps…

Early Stages of a UTI, Step 1

  • Alkalize the urine by taking 500mg magnesium, calcium or potassium citrate – the citrate form is important here – 3x/day but not before bedtime (allow at least 3 hours before last taking and bedtime)
  • Drink unsweetened cranberry juice, 8 ounces 3x/day – you can use stevia to sweeten. Cranberry juice contains mannose, a sugar that helps to remove bacteria from the urinary tract.
  • Avoid all sugar, soda, caffeine and dark drinks in general.
  • Avoid all refined carbohydrates like pasta, bread, pastries, bagels, etc.
  • Stay well hydrated to flush out the urinary tract with 8 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
  • Keep the pelvic floor dry and wear cotton underwear
  • Urinate at the first moment of urging – waiting may increase risk of bacterial overgrowth

If after 24 hours you are feeling worse go to Step 2.

Step 2 – Next Steps

  • Continue with Step 1
  • Add in Uva Ursi: Use as a tea made from 2 tsp. of herb per cup of hot water; or as a tincture (1 to 2 teaspoons in warm water) several times a day.
  • UT Synergy, 2 capsules, 3-4 times per day (have this on hand if you get recurrent infections and use immediately at the first signs.
  • Silvercillin Liquid, 1 tbls. 2 times per day.
  • Insert a probiotic vaginally before bed to improve your vaginal flora (bacteria). You can try Probiophage here

Continue Step 1 & Step 2 if needed for 4-5 days. If any symptoms still persist, do the above protocol for a few more days. If symptoms get worse, go to see your doctor.

Prevention

Here are some tips to prevent UTIs from recurring.

  • Birth control pills are a common cause of recurrent UTIs because they dis-regulate hormones. They also make symptoms of PCOS worse.
  • Go green! This will raise your urine pH to discourage bacterial growth. Increase the amount of green leafy vegetables you eat every day. Your goal is 2+cups per meal.
  • Decrease or eliminate sugar altogether.
  • Women with anxiety or obsessive tendencies are more prone to UTIs so schedule in more time for yourself each day. Slow down…breathe.
  • Urinate right after sexual intercourse.
  • Always wipe from front to back every time you use the bathroom. The urethra and anus are so close together that it’s easy to contaminate the urethra and urinary tract.
  • Contraceptive creams and condoms that contain spermicide nonoxynol-9 can cause irritation to the urethra and a burning sensation upon urinating
  • A diaphragm used for birth control that is too large – make sure you have the right size.
  • Be sure to use healthy vaginal lubrication during sex. Coconut oil is a lovely choice and is also anti-microbial.
  • Frequent or traumatic sex – it may be time to make changes to your sex life.
  • If you are over 45, using 5mg of DHEA vaginally before bed can improve vaginal hormone balance and even improve incontinence. Be sure to work with a holistic health care practitioner to make sure this approach is safe for you because it is a hormone so you’ll need to test your DHEA levels routinely.
  • Reduce grains in your diet and work towards a more Paleo approach focusing on healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates. See more here
  • Reduce stress overall in your life and give yourself more self-care because it may be that you’re “pissed off” according to Dr. Northrup. Maybe you need to speak your mind? What’s one thing you can do today to get started?
  • Try a castor oil pack applied to your lower abdomen 2-3 times per week. It seems to boost immune function.
  • Add in a safe and effective nutrient program to help your body be stronger and less susceptible.

To summarize you’ll want to better balance blood sugar which helps to balance hormones, raise the pH of your urine, and remove some root causes like birth control pills. Take control of your UTIs. With some easy changes to your external and internal environments you can heal. Are you ready to learn more? The Insulite Natural Hormone Solution contains all the elements to help you eliminate UTIs once and for all. Learn more here about what’s included – click here.

*This article does not replace medical advice. If the infection travels to the kidneys it is more serious and may need immediate attention from a qualified medical practitioner.

References:


Next Steps

  1. Take the PCOS Quiz!  Get your score and assess your hormone health risks.
  2. Join our Facebook Sisterhood Group Pose your questions to this group of like-minded women. Get the answers to your questions and the support you need.
  3. Checkout the Hormone Reset. Guided Practices to eliminate anxiety, lose weight and boost energy.

We are committed to helping women reverse their symptoms of hormone imbalance – a major cause of excess weight gain, adult acne, unwanted facial hair, depression, anxiety, and heartbreaking female infertility.

©Insulite Health empowers women with hormone imbalance to transform their lives through a process of healing with the Natural Hormone Solution  –a complete solution for helping women reverse the symptoms hormone imbalance..