When antibiotics don’t work for UTIs, then what?

I hear this all the time from the women I work with: “The antibiotics don’t seem to work anymore for my UTIs.”

If this is your experience too, then I see you. 

It’s tough, but I also have good news for you, as there are alternative solutions I will share with you.

I’ve experienced it myself, too, when I had recurrent UTIs in my twenties. 

It’s the reason I dove headfirst into the rabbit hole of natural medicine to learn how to prevent UTIs.

Because the antibiotics and other pharmaceutical medicines stopped working for me.

Why antibiotics keep failing women

At least 35% of standard, acute antibiotic treatment for UTIs fails. Meaning that symptoms often come back soon after. 

This happens because antibiotics don’t actually fix the root cause of recurrent UTIs. 

They kill bacteria, yes, but it’s usually a band-aid solution to a much deeper issue.

• Antibiotics don’t go deep enough, as bacteria can often hide in the bladder lining and avoid being detected by the medicine and your immune system. (Read also: 5 reasons antibiotics fail)
• Additionally, there is the possibility of antibiotic resistance; over time, it creates stronger, more resilient bacteria that are no longer affected by the drugs.
• And, the side effects of antibiotics can weaken your immune system and gut health, making it easier for infections to take hold. 

Signs it’s time to look beyond antibiotics

If you are experiencing any of the following, then you will likely benefit from alternative treatment options:

• Your UTI symptoms return shortly after treatment.
• You’re having multiple rounds of antibiotics in a year.
• There is a feeling that your body isn’t recovering fully.

Then what? Exploring the next steps

Strengthening your body’s defences

Building immune resilience through dietary changes (prioritising foods that promote healing),  adequate hydration, vitamins, herbal support and homeopathic remedies.

Healing the urinary tract lining to ease discomfort and lingering symptoms. This can be achieved with natural remedies, reducing the consumption of antibiotics, and letting the body heal itself.

Rebuilding a healthy gut and vaginal microbiome: increasing the level of beneficial bacteria in ratio to harmful ones will help you naturally keep infections away. This is especially important if you’ve taken a lot of antibiotics and/or are in (peri)menopause when changing hormones impact your microbiome.

Identifying root causes

What are your triggers? Sexual activity, hormonal changes, stress, prolonged health problems, traumatic events/situations, certain drinks or foods etc.

Do you experience UTIs after intimacy? I’ve created a natural UTI protocol: Learn how to use natural tools to end the painful UTIs after sex. Get your copy here.

Toxicity and compromised immune system: UTIs are often the symptom of a systemic imbalance, often caused by toxicity from pharmaceutical medicines, heavy metals, harmful chemicals and pathogens that take hold in the body (such as Epstein-Barr and Streptococcus). This leads to a weakened immune system as the body’s resources are directed to deal with toxins or pathogens.

Emotional or energetic patterns: When we examine UTIs from the mind-body connection perspective, we can often identify underlying patterns of chronic stress, previous traumatic or impactful events, suppressed anger and resentment, lack of boundaries or people pleasing that arise from past patterns you’ve now outgrown and are ready to let go.

Natural & holistic treatment of UTI

Homeopathy is a powerful tool for both acute relief and prevention. It stimulates your body’s own healing mechanism.

Homeopathic remedies can be used in different ways, depending on your circumstances. 

• If your trigger is intercourse, for example, during the treatment I recommend remedies to take after intimacy as a prophylaxis. This often prevents infections.
• Constitutional treatment, as we call it, looks at the total picture. Not just your UTI symptoms, but everything else that is going on. Then, we’ll find the best remedies to match your unique symptoms and circumstances for deep, lasting healing. 
• The women who come to see me for UTIs often have a history of taking a lot of antibiotics, so we look at gently detoxing any previous medications, cleansing the liver and improving gut health (and vaginal microbiome). 

Also, I usually suggest a variety of herbs and supplements that support urinary health and your overall immune system. 

In my experience, women carry responsibilities, unwanted patterns, chronic stress and other burdens that often contribute to their health problems.

So, we’ll look at how to ease your emotional and mental burden for better energy, mood and sleep.

If this article and my energy resonate with you, feel free to contact me to see if homeopathic treatment is right for you.

Recovery is possible, even after years of UTIs

While antibiotics may still have their place in emergencies, it’s highly beneficial to learn how to use a range of natural remedies to nip infections in the bud. 

When I started using homeopathic remedies for my UTIs, I never needed another course of antibiotics again, thankfully. 

Now, I’ve been UTI and antibiotic-free for 13 years and counting. 

Often, real healing comes from combining physical, emotional, and energetic support. 

Remember, you CAN heal. ⭐