zedlj 1. The type of probiotic matters (culturelle with the rhamanous strain that specifically reduces overall inflammation and decreases the risk of infection). Many other probiotics do not reach the bladder and the strains are not specialised to the bladder environment. It can take up to 6 months to rebuild your biome after you take antibiotics, so it’s important to take these for atleast a year until your bladder has built up strength again to protect against infection naturally.
2. D-mannose (Especially if your UTIs are caused by E.Coli) which acts as both a preventative and early treatment method. If you’re infection is too far gone, however, you will need to take antibiotics because it is not safe to let the infection get out of control if the d-mannose is struggling to work.
3. Alkaline bladder (d-mannose works best in an alkaline environment. It also reduces irritation and inflammation. Drinking 2L lemon/ lime water a day will make the the urine and bladder alkaline.)
4. PAC cranberry tablets (good for other strains of bacteria other than E.Coli). Cranberry alone does not work and the sugar in juice can make bad bacteria multiply quicker. Make sure the supplements specifically state that they have 36 PAC, otherwise you may not be getting the correct concentrated activated ingredient. These are good as a preventative treatment but do not work to treat an infection once you have one.
5. Slippery elm (forms a film to protect the bladder wall as it heals)
6. Peppermint oil (sooths the irritation to allow proper healing and minimises the risk of re-infection)
7. Carry around a 1L bottle of water or flask of tea and aim to drink 2 of these a day. If you loose track of how much you drink, then you become more succeptible to infection when your urine becomes more concentrated.
8. Purchase some home urine tests from the pharmacy to regularly check (every morning) your urine for nitrates. As soon as you see a trace, which is often before you feel symptoms coming on, take 2g of d-mannose and drink 1L of water within an hour. Drink another 2L throughout the day and hopefully by intervening early you are able to avoid antibiotics. During the day, regularly re-check your urine to see if nitrate levels have changed- they can increase and decrease quite rapidly. You’ll want to continue a higher dose of d-mannose for about a week to ensure all the bacteria has been flushed through your bladder.
9. Get a hormone test (hertility health) to check your estrogen levels. You may have an underlying hormone imbalance that is causing reoccurring infections. Often estrogen is to blame, but don’t worry, there’s many natural ways to balance your estrogen.
