How Long Does it Take for UTI To Go Away?

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) are one of the most feared infections lately.

Not just because of the effects but also because of how irritating and frustrating they can be.

For starters who are getting to know Urinary tract infections, it is basically a condition in the body where the urinary system catches an infection which causes a constant urge to urinate and a burning sensation while peeing. (1)

A good bladder health is essential if you want to prevent a UTI.
An overall healthy urinary system, i.e kidneys, ureters, bladder and the urethra is important.

It is proven that women are at a higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection than men. (2)
Down the road, we’ll try to answer a few questions like ‘how long does it take for UTI to go away’, ‘how long does it take for a uti to develop’ and many more.

 Let’s get to know Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) better. 

 

1. Ways to keep your bladder healthy

‘Prevention is better than cure’.
A healthy bladder can reduce the possibility of occurrence of a Urinary Tract Infection.

You can always take better care of your bladder by making a few minor lifestyle changes.
Keep in mind that being consistent with these changes is also important. 

 

Drink more water

Drinking more and more water increases the hydration in your body and importantly in your urinary system.
Remember- the more water, the more diluted your urine is.

Ultimately reducing the burning sensation for you.
Moreover, it also helps the bacteria to be flushed out in your urine. 

 

 

Image Credits: Unsplash

You must’ve heard many doctors trying to advise you that consumption of water is a very healthy habit.
They’re not lying.

It’s a small lifestyle change which will make drastic changes in your health including prevention and cure of UTI.

RECOMMENDED READING: How Much Water Should We Consume To Flush Out UTI?

 

Cranberry Juice

You might have heard about this one. But we’re here to clear out the myth.

Some studies shows that cranberry juice for UTI can also additionally lessen the chance of UTIs. (3)

 

 

Image Credits: Unsplash

 

Even if we know that it does, consumption of cranberry juice for UTI might require some care and planning.
So if you’re looking for guidance on that, you may read our blog on Cranberry Juice For Urinary Tract Infection. 

 

 

Urinate after Sex

Sexual activity and intercourse can act as bacteria carrying factors from the vagina to the urethral opening. 
To prevent UTI after sex, peeing can eliminate this bacteria and help you towards a healthy bladder and lower the risk of infection. (4)

 

Kegel Exercises

Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic muscle exercises, are a great way to strengthen your pelvic floor inorder to help hold urine for longer durations. 

It is also proven that exercising your pelvic muscles is good for preventing infections by emptying the bladder. (4)

 

Maintaining BMI 

People with uneven body mass index (BMI) are at a higher risk of symptoms like leaking urine. 
People with overweight are at a higher risk of developing bladder issues because of reduced body activity. 

Exercising regularly and maintaining a non-sedentary lifestyle can help you with a healthy bladder. 

 

Image credits: Center for Family Medicine

 

Limit alcohol

Alcohol is very harmful for your bladder.
Caffeinated drinks like coffee, sodas etc. can increase the urge and frequency of urinating. (5)

You can instead try a variety of teas for UTI such as:
1. Corn silk tea for UTI
2. Hibiscus tea for UTI
3. Parsley tea for UTI

 

 

Image Credits: Unsplash

 

Following the above precautions can help you maintain great bladder health and hence reduce the chances of a UTI occurring in your system.
However it isn’t a standalone cure for UTI.

Before discussing how long it takes for a UTI to go away, it is better we know more about it. 

 

2. What exactly is a Urinary Tract Infection? 

As inferred from the name, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a condition where the urinary system is affected by an infection of bacteria.
It can occur anywhere in your urinary system.

It is usually found in ureters, urethra, bladder and even your kidneys. 

 

3. UTI in Women: How long does a UTI last in females? 

Women are usually more likely to develop a UTI than men.
Dysuria is a commonly found symptom of UTI found in women. (6)

Due to this symptom, women might experience extreme discomfort while peeing.
It might cause a cramp, heavy feeling or searing pain in your lower abdomen region.

Let’s see more about the causes, symptoms and how long does it take for a UTI to form. 

4. Causes of UTI in women

• Women have a shorter urethra than men, making it easier for the bacteria from anus to enter the bladder. 
• Not washing the skin around the vagina regularly
• Risk of conditions that weaken the immune system, mainly HIV or diabetes
• Pregnancy 
• History of UTI 
• Being sexually active

 

 

Image credits: AGE 2B

 

5. Symptoms of UTI in Women

Women usually experience the following symptoms while suffering from a UTI

• Dysuria or Discomfort while peeing
• Cramps and heaviness in lower abdomen
• Foul like smell from the urine
• Fever
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Lower back pain

Some women might even experience slight bloatingof the stomach.
If you’re one of the women experiencing bloating, try to learn about the root cause and then deal with it.

RECOMMENDED READING: How to get rid of Bloating with UTI?

 

Diagnosis

UTI can occur among many women.
Sometimes there is no explanation for how the infection got there.

Hence, it is advisable to get it checked by your healthcare expert.
Sometimes it can also be a different issue altogether such as a 'yeast infection’ or much worse - ‘Sexually Transmitted Infection’. 

RECOMMENDED READING: UTI vs Yeast Infection Symptoms

6. How long does UTI last in females?

After a due course of antibiotics for about 1 to 7 days, the results start showing. (7)
The symptoms usually fade away after 2-3 days of antibiotic treatment.

However, this should not stop you from completing the course as the infection must be destroyed from its roots. 

It might take longer if the infection has reached the kidneys.
In such cases a change of course and treatment is also required. 

Note: Make sure that your treatment is not giving you any side effects.

7. UTI in Men: Does male UTI go away on its own?

UTI in men occurs when there is bacterial growth piled up inside the urinary tract.
An infection is formed in such cases which is why the person can experience the complicated symptoms of UTI. 

Sometimes UTI occurs without any symptoms as well. 

For men, the urinary system can include the ureters, urethra, kidneys and the bladder as well.
An infection anywhere in these parts can lead to a UTI.
Male UTI can be of two types - ‘An upper tract UTI’ and ‘A lower tract UTI’ 

An upper tract UTI is basically when the infection is found in the kidneys and sometimes in the Ureters.
A lower tract UTI is when the infection is found in the bladder, urethra or sometimes the prostate as well. (8)

8. Causes of UTI in men

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (8)
• Prostate problems
• Diabetes - leading to a weak immune system

You might even confuse the symptoms of diabetes with that of UTI.
You’re not alone.

 

Image Credits: Unsplash

 

Both of them have many overlapping symptoms.
Learning about each in more detail is highly recommended if you’re someone suffering from diabetes and are doubting if you have contracted a UTI.

RECOMMENDED READING: Difference Between UTI and Diabetes Symptoms

 

9. Symptoms of UTI in men

Men usually have the following symptoms while they’re experiencing a UTI

• Frequent urination
• Burning sensation while peeing
• Sharp searing pain below the stomach
• Smelly urine
• Blood in urine 
• Anxiety

 

Image credits: Health

 

Diagnosis

The treatment for UTI in men is the same as UTI in women.
Doctors usually prescribe a course of antibiotics.

The antibiotic in question will be decided by the doctor depending upon the severity and source of the infection. 

This will be determined by a urine test.
If your urine test results come out as lower urinary tract infection, you will need to take the course for a week or sometimes less.

But an upper urinary tract infection will demand treatment for upto 2 weeks. 

10. Will a male UTI go away by itself?

So will a male UTI go away on its own? Not all UTIs can go away on their own.

But research shows that almost 42% of uncomplicated cases in UTI cure themselves. (9)

However, a majority of cases required treatment from antibiotics to cure a UTI.
Hence it is advisable to treat your UTI with a prescription from a healthcare professional.

Any delay in treating UTI symptoms might lead to a complication leading to more and more symptoms and damage done to the body. 

RECOMMENDED READING: Symptoms of an Untreated UTI 

 

11. How to know if a UTI is getting better?

You consulted your healthcare professional. You took your meds on time.Now what? The question still pops in your head--"How long does UTI take to go away?"

You wait for your UTI to get better.

But how to tell if your UTI is going away or if it is completely gone?
We’ll get to the bottom of it. 

Most infections start healing between 24 to 48 hours from starting the treatment. After that the symptoms start fading away.

You can observe the following signs

• Lesser bathroom breaks
• Decreased pain or dysuria 
• Less or almost no pain in the lower abdomen. (10)

If you start noticing these signs, it means that the treatment is working.
All you need to do is complete your course of medication and then consult the doctor. 

You need to take another urine test from your doctor to test if the bacteria is gone completely.
In most cases, a small remainder of the bacteria is still present inside your urinary system.

If that happens, continue your medication for a little longer and then you’re good to go. 

 

Image credits: Greatist

 

12. Home Remedies for UTI 

Here are five ways to treat your UTI from the comfort of your home. 

Hydration

Drinking lots of water is the ultimate solution to a UTI.
The excess water flushes out the bacteria trapped inside your urinary system.

According to a study in 2019, hydrating yourself with fluids helped reduce the chances of UTI by 56 percent. (11)

Vitamin C

We’re well aware that Vitamin C is majorly Citric Acid.
So, consuming a significant amount of Vitamin C helps in increasing the acidic nature of your urine.

 

 

Image Credits: Unsplash

 

Doing so, kills off the bacteria due to high ph levels. (11)

Fruits such as grapefruits, oranges, lemons etc are known to help with your UTI in a single serving.
There are of course multiple views on why Vitamin C might not work.

But what we know is that it has been used for many generations. 

 

RECOMMENDED READING: How Much Vitamin C Should I Take To Prevent UTI?

Cranberry Juice

You must have heard about this one.
Cranberry juice is widely renowned to help with UTI and even cure it sometimes.

Unsweetened cranberry juice is a natural remedy for Urinary Tract Infections. 

 

 

Image Credits: Unsplash

 

There are multiple studies which show that cranberry juice is effective in preventing UTI.
There are many other studies which prove that cranberry juice might not be so effective either.

However, we do know that cranberry juice reduces the risk of infection so consuming it will do no harm to you. 

Probiotic replenishment

You are well aware by now that UTI treatment requires intake of antibiotics. Antibiotics destroy the good bacteria in your stomach which might cause some disturbance for a while. 

 

 

Image Credits: Unsplash

 

Probiotic foods and vegetables such as Kombucha, Kimchi and yogurt are the best ones in the market to replenish your gut bacteria.  

Image credits: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

 

Hygiene

This is an obvious remedy.
Lack of hygiene and cleanliness might give birth to infections and unwanted bacteria.

You can follow few tips to maintain a good hygiene to prevent UTI:

• Don’t hold back your urine for long. Doing so might lead to accumulation of bacteria - giving way for infections. 
• Peeing after sexual intercourse
• Avoid using spermicide (12)
• While using a toilet (Importantly for those with vaginas) make sure you wipe front to back and not back to front. 

 

Image Credits: Unsplash

 

Have more queries about Urinary Tract Infection? Use our guides to the following topics for support:

1. What Are Some Of the Foods To Avoid With UTI?

2. How To Relieve UTI Pain?

3. Ginger Tea For UTI Recipe

4. Can Caffeine Cause UTI?

5. Is Diarrhea A Symptom Of UTI? 

6. How To Make Corn Silk Tea For UTI?

13. An Overview

A UTI might have several factors contributing to its occurrence.
Most importantly, it can vary from gender to gender.

If you start noticing symptoms, it is advisable to consult your healthcare expert and get a urine test done.
In any case, a home remedy can only weaken the infection.

Hence healthcare support is the best option if you start noticing UTI symptoms. 

A simple course of antibiotics should cure you of the infection in a span of 1-2 weeks.
If you notice UTI symptoms for two weeks, you might have to get another urine test done to see the root source of the infection.

Once that is done, your healthcare professional will give you a revised prescription and an estimated date by when the UTI symptoms should go away.