Bladder infections also are called cystitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs). For a discussion of causes and symptoms of bladder infections, see our Q&A called, "Bladder Infections."Among the types of bacteria that can cause bladder infection are:
Escherichia coli (E coli), a type of bacteria that is normally present in the intestinal tract and which is responsible for most cases of UTIs.
Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis), a type of bacteria that is transmitted via sexual contact with an infected partner
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae), the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, a disease that is transmitted via sexual contact with an infected partner
Prompt diagnosis of cause of the bladder infection is important for determining proper treatment.
Many methods for preventing bladder infections caused by various types of bacteria, as well as for treating bladder infections caused by E. coli, are available, including the following naturopathic, and homeopathic, and psychological approaches:[1, 2]
If you have recurring (i.e., repeated) infections of the bladder, avoid consumption of spicy and/or acidic foods (such as citrus fruits), which can irritate the lining of the bladder.
Eat certain vegetables (such as soy beans) that are abundant in phytoestrogens (i.e., substances that can mimic the effects of estrogen).
Avoid drinking beverages such as coffee, citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol, which can irritate the lining of the bladder and cause a small amount of bleeding in the bladder to occur.
Drink lots (at least 6 to 8 glasses per day) of water. Drinking abundant amounts of water stimulates urination, thereby helping to remove bacteria from the bladder.
Regularly either drink unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry concentrate, eat dried cranberries, or take cranberry capsules. Cranberry can help both acidify your urine and block bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on the dose and type of cranberry product that is appropriate for you.
Regularly take supplements containing "healthy" (i.e., normal digestive) bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Take vitamin and mineral supplements containing L-arginine (an amino acid), vitamin A, vitamin C (which can help acidify the urine), calcium lactate, and zinc. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on the doses appropriate for you.
During menstruation, avoid using tampons, which can irritate the vaginal and urethral areas and make them more vulnerable to bacterial infections. Instead, wear sanitary pads during menstruation.
Avoid wearing wet or tight clothing (such as spandex material or nylon underwear) that can lead to prolonged exposure to moistness in the pelvic area and can irritate the areas of the vulva (i.e., outer and inner parts of the vagina) and urethra, making them more vulnerable to bacterial infection.
If you tend to get bladder infections after becoming chilled, wear warm clothes when the temperature outdoors or inside buildings is cold.
Avoid taking frequent bubble baths, which can irritate the areas of the vulva (i.e., outer and inner parts of the vagina) and urethra, making them more vulnerable to bacterial infections.
After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back. Avoid wiping from back to front, which can spread bacteria from the anal area to the vaginal area.
Whenever you feel the urge to urinate, go to the bathroom and do so. Frequent urination helps remove bacteria from the bladder. Do not wait until it is "convenient" to go to the bathroom and urinate.
After urinating, wipe downwards (i.e., from front to back). Avoid wiping upwards (i.e., from back to front), which can spread bacteria from the anal area to the vaginal area.
To maintain a proper level of normal bacteria in the vaginal area, use a douche containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and/or Bifidobacillus bifidum once or twice each month.
Every day, wash around the urethral opening (called the meatus) with a non-irritating, non-soap-containing personal cleansing agent (e.g., the product, "Purpose") to remove secretions, followed by drying the area with a clean tissue to decrease moisture.
Regularly apply a soothing lubricating agent (such as those containing vitamin E) to the vulva.
Applying a small amount of natural progesterone cream twice a day to the vagina can balance your hormone levels. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on the dose and consideration of whether the treatment is appropriate for you.
Just prior to having sexual intercourse, use products that provide adequate lubrication of the vagina.
Do not have unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner whose sexual history or medical history you do not know. If you are having sexual intercourse with a partner whose sexual history or medical history you do not know, use a condom. Remember that some people can have chlamydia infections or gonorrhea infections without experiencing symptoms.
If you touch the anus with a finger or sex toy during sex, wash the finger or sex toy thoroughly with soap and water before inserting the finger or sex toy into the vagina.
After having protected anal intercourse using a condom, remove the condom and place another condom on the penis before allowing penetration into the vagina.
After having unprotected anal intercourse, wash the penis thoroughly with soap and water before allowing penetration into the vagina.
As soon as possible and within 10 minutes after having sexual intercourse, go to the bathroom and urinate. This practice helps remove bacteria from the bladder. Next, use water to rinse off your genital area. Then, to promote healing of any small abrasions that could occur due to sexual intercourse, apply a small amount of pure vitamin E to the areas of your urethra, clitoris, and between your labia (lips of the vagina).
As soon as possible and within 10 minutes after having sexual intercourse, drink 10-12 ounces of water, which will stimulate later urination, thereby helping to remove bacteria from the bladder.
Perform yoga exercises that stimulate pelvic energy.
During a bladder infection, avoid physical activities (e.g., horseback riding) that place pressure on the bladder and urethra.
During a bladder infection, take "contrast" baths, consisting of alternating a bath containing hot water, followed by a bath containing cold water.
During a bladder infection, drink unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry concentrate every 1 to 2 hours, or take cranberry capsules every 1 to 2 hours. Cranberry can help both acidify your urine and block bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on the dose and type of cranberry product that is appropriate for you.
During a bladder infection, drink baking soda diluted in water until the symptoms improve. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on the dose that is appropriate for you.
During a bladder infection, take a tea, tincture, or capsules containing bladder herbs such as bearberry, Bucchu, chamomile, cornsilk, marigold, marshmallow root, Oregon grape, Pipsissewa, or Uva ursi every 2 hours until the symptoms improve. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on the dose and selection of botanical medications that are appropriate for you.
During a bladder infection, take aloe vera capsules to help heal the lining of the bladder.
Take a homeopathic remedy, such as Apis mellifica, Belladonna, Berberis vulgaris, Cantharis, Cascarilla, Causticum, Mercuris corrosivus, Mercuris vivus, Platinum metallicum, Sarsparilla, or Staphysagria. Consult a homeopath, a healthcare professional experienced in the use of homeopathic remedies, for guidance on the dose and selection of a homeopathic remedy appropriate for you.
Consider psychological counseling to work on any negative attitudes towards the relationship with a romantic partner, which may contribute to the occurrence of neurogenic (i.e., caused by the nervous system) irritation and inflammation of the lining of the bladder after intercourse and, therefore, can make the lining of the bladder more vulnerable to infection by bacteria.
Consult your integrative medical physician or gynecologist for guidance on prevention and treatment of bladder infections.
If you are a pre-menopausal woman and the naturopathic, homeopathic, and psychological approaches described previously, do not resolve your symptoms of bladder infections, consult your integrative medical physician or gynecologist for consideration of use of prescription medications including oral antibiotics.
If you are a post-menopausal woman and the naturopathic, homeopathic, and psychological approaches described previously, do not resolve your symptoms of bladder infections, consult your integrative medical physician or gynecologist for consideration of use of prescription medications including:
Topical (i.e., applied to the lining of the vagina) estrogen; Estring (i.e., device worn in the upper part of the vagina); transdermal (i.e., patch applied to the skin) estrogen; or oral (i.e., pills containing) bio-identical estrogen
Oral antibiotics. Typically, naturopathic, homeopathic, psychological, and hormonal approaches as described previously can resolve the symptoms of bladder infections caused by E. coli. If those approaches do not resolve the symptoms of bladder infections adequately, oral antibiotics may be used.
Regardless of your age, if you are experiencing symptoms of a bladder infection AND the symptoms (e.g., fever, back pain, nausea, and/or vomiting) suggesting a kidney infection (e.g., acute pyelonephritis), consult your integrative medical physician or gynecologist immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment of kidney infections with oral or injected antibiotics.[1, 2]
Furthermore, regardless of your age, if you have been diagnosed with a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, consult your integrative medical physician or gynecologist immediately for treatment with oral or injected antibiotics.[1, 2] Prompt and proper treatment with antibiotics can prevent the development of the potential complication, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), in women. If you have been diagnosed with a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection, your sexual partner(s) also need to be diagnosed and, if infected, treated with oral or injected antibiotics.
REFERENCES
1. I Ikenze. Menopause & Homeopathy: A Guide for Women in Midlife. 1998. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
2 J. Reichenberg-Ullman. Whole Woman Homeopathy. 2004. Edmonds, WA: Picnic Point Press.
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