Natural Remedies for a Bladder Infection

Urinary tract and bladder infections (cystitis) are common. More than 50% of all adults will experience one infection at some point, and close to 20% of all women will have some urinary or bladder condition each year. Nearly 20% of all women will have a recurrence within 6 months of a bladder infection.

Bladder and kidney infections are both types of urinary tract infections. You can take a natural approach to prevent an infection. However, a kidney infection will need antibiotic treatment. A mild, common bladder infection can respond well to natural therapies. This can help avoid the overuse of antibiotics, which can negatively impact your gut and microbiome.

Bladder infection symptoms

The most common symptoms of a bladder infection are frequent and sometimes painful urination, urgently needing to urinate, aching, cramping, or pressure above the pubic bone, and feeling tired, unwell, or low energy. There may be blood in your urine, which happens to around 40% of women with a bladder infection.

An untreated bladder infection can progress to a serious kidney infection. It is wise to address a bladder infection immediately.

Symptoms in a bladder infection occur rather suddenly and typically without a fever. Symptoms in a kidney infection are more gradual with fever, chills, nausea, and lower back pain. Antibiotics are important for kidney infections, but bladder infections in healthy adult women who are not pregnant can often be treated naturally.