Girls, cranberry juice does not prevent recurring urinary tract infections.
Stop telling yourself that you are ordering a second crantini for your health and accept the fact that Aunt Ro was wrong.
Instead, drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, avoid excessive caffeine, and urinate before and after sex, suggested Dr. Susan H. Oakley, a urogynecologist who practices in Northern Kentucky.
“We do not routinely suggest cranberry juice to reduce recurrent UTIs because the research does not support it ““ additionally, acidic drinks such as cranberry, grapefruit, tomato, orange and lemon could worsen overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome, if that’s what’s really going on,” according to Oakley.
The symptoms of urinary tract infections are similar to those of other chronic bladder conditions:
- It burns when you pee
- You feel like you need to pee often but only a little comes out
- Your pee may be cloudy and have a strong odor
- You may have a fever
If you see blood in your urine, call your doctor immediately.
More than three UTIs a year is considered recurrent and reason to see a specialist, such as a urogynecologist or urologist, who can identify any underlying conditions.
In addition to plenty of water, Oakley, lead physician of St. Elizabeth Physicians Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, recommended:
- Wipe from front to back
- Urinate before and after intercourse
- Avoid douching
- Use your hand and a gentle soap (Dove or Ivory) to wash your female parts.
Cranberries are a great source of antioxidants, so Aunt Ro was right about that. You can enjoy a glass now and then but, as with all juices, explore the label carefully for sugar content or added juices.
