Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections that affect the urinary system. They are usually caused by bacteria like E. coli entering the urinary tract through the urethra and traveling to the bladder. Some of the most common symptoms of a UTI include a burning sensation when urinating, frequent and urgent need to urinate, cloudy, bloody or foul-smelling urine, pelvic pain or pressure, and fever and chills. While UTIs can occur in both men and women, they are much more prevalent in women due to their shorter urethras. Some things that can increase a woman’s risk of developing a UTI include sexual activity, using a diaphragm for birth control, menopause, and personal hygiene.
Does drinking more water help prevent UTIs?
Drinking more water is commonly recommended as a way to help flush out bacteria and prevent UTIs. The theory is that by increasing your fluid intake, you will urinate more frequently, which can help remove bacteria from your urinary tract before an infection develops. Some research has found links between low fluid intake and increased UTI risk:
- A study in older women found that those who drank less than 1.5 liters of fluid per day were nearly twice as likely to develop a UTI compared to women who drank more than 1.5 liters per day.
- Another study found that women who reported low daily fluid intake had a nearly 50% higher risk of recurrent UTIs compared to those with high fluid intake.
- Dehydration concentrates urine, allowing bacteria to thrive. Well-hydrated urine may help hinder bacterial growth.
Based on this, increasing your water intake may be beneficial for UTI prevention, especially if you don’t drink much normally or tend to get dehydrated easily. Drinking about 6-8 glasses of water daily is a good target.
Does drinking more water help treat UTIs?
When you already have a UTI, drinking more water may help reduce symptoms by flushing out bacteria. However, there is limited research on whether increased water intake can actively treat a UTI.
A few studies have found:
- Women with UTIs who were instructed to double their daily fluid intake had milder symptoms after 48 hours compared to women who drank normally.
- In girls with UTIs, increasing water intake resolved symptoms in 25% of cases, while antibiotics alone were effective in 80%.
While this data suggests staying well hydrated may help supplementary to antibiotics, there is no evidence that drinking more water alone can cure a UTI. Once bacteria have established an infection, antibiotics are usually required to eliminate the infection.
How much water should you drink for a UTI?
There are no specific guidelines on how much extra water you should drink when trying to treat or prevent a UTI. Aim for about 6-8 glasses of water daily as a healthy baseline. When you have a UTI, drink enough to keep your urine very pale yellow or clear.
Some tips for increasing fluid intake:
- Carry a water bottle and sip throughout the day
- Set reminders to drink water at regular intervals
- Drink a full glass of water with each meal
- Choose water over other beverages like soda, coffee, or alcohol
- Eat hydrating foods like fruits, soups, smoothies
- Use mobile apps to track daily water consumption
If you have trouble tolerating too much plain water, try alternating with decaffeinated teas, sparkling waters, or water with lemon or cucumber slices for flavor. Avoid drinking liquids that can irritate the bladder like alcohol, caffeine, citrus juices, and artificial sweeteners.
Are there any risks to drinking more water?
For most healthy people, drinking extra water to stay well hydrated is safe and unlikely to cause issues. However, there are a few possible risks to be aware of:
- Water intoxication: Drinking an extreme excess of water diluted essential sodium levels in the blood, causing potentially dangerous swelling in the brain.
- Hyponatremia: Consuming too much water relative to salt intake, reducing sodium levels and leading to cellular swelling.
- Frequent urination: Can disrupt sleep and daily activities.
- Worsening edema: Can worsen fluid retention in people with heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease.
To avoid risks, drink water when thirsty, spread intake throughout the day, and limit intake right before bedtime. People with medical conditions or on sodium-restricting medications should check with a doctor before markedly increasing water intake.
Who is at risk from too much water intake?
The following groups have a higher chance of developing water intoxication or hyponatremia and may need to restrict fluid intake:
- People with heart failure, kidney problems, or liver problems
- Endurance athletes
- MDMA users
- People following low-sodium diets
- Older adults with impaired thirst mechanisms
Does water type matter?
There is no evidence that any specific type of water is better than others for preventing or treating UTIs. The main goal is to stay well hydrated with plenty of fluids. However, some types may be preferable:
- Plain water: Simplest option without additives. Room temperature or warm water may be better tolerated.
- Sparkling water: Carbonation can make it more palatable if you don’t like plain water.
- Lemon water: Can help increase intake. Avoid large amounts of citrus juice which may irritate the bladder.
- Cranberry juice: Thought to help prevent UTIs, but may not be ideal for treatment due to acidity and sugar content.
Avoid fluids that can be irritating like:
- Alcohol and caffeine
- Carbonated sodas
- Sugary juices and drinks
- Artificially sweetened drinks
What else can help prevent UTIs?
While hydration is important, other lifestyle measures can further reduce UTI risk:
- Urinate before and after sexual activity
- Wipe front to back after using the toilet
- Avoid potentially irritating feminine products
- Wear cotton underwear and loose bottoms
- Take showers instead of baths
- Practice good hygiene
- Take probiotics like lactobacillus
- Consider vaginal estrogen therapy after menopause
- Empty bladder completely when urinating
Cranberry juice and capsules may also help prevent UTIs by stopping bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract. Talk to your doctor about other suitable options for UTI prevention if you get frequent infections.
Conclusion
Increasing your daily fluid intake, especially water, may help play a role in preventing UTIs. Well-hydrated urine seems to help hinder bacterial growth and flush out potential pathogens. Drinking more when you have a UTI can help ease discomfort too but is unlikely to cure an infection on its own. While staying hydrated is beneficial, be sure to get medical treatment if UTI symptoms don’t quickly resolve and avoid drinking excessive amounts of water if you have medical conditions like heart or kidney problems.