Probiotics for UTIs: A Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) currently represent a health hazard, as they are among the most prevalent bacterial infections.
Approximately 20-30% of women suffer from recurrent Urinary Tract Infections and are prescribed antibiotics to treat the condition.
Despite the widespread use of conventional antibiotics to treat UTIs, researchers have constantly highlighted the drawbacks of these drugs for long-term use.
This has grasped the attention toward other conventional alternative medicines, such as probiotics, to treat UTIs and avoid various drug-related complications.
This article will discuss the effectiveness of probiotics for UTIs and the best probiotics for treating your condition.
Do probiotics help with UTIs
Probiotics are live microorganisms or good bacteria that, on consumption, provide health benefits to the body.
They are usually safe to administer and beneficial for preventing recurrent UTIs in women.
Prominently, using Lactobacillus strain probiotics is useful in preventing UTIs.
Probiotics rich in this bacteria can restore the urogenital flora and prevent UTIs against the dominating pathogens in the region.
Why should you choose probiotics for UTIs
The environment of the urinary system is naturally protective due to the presence of certain beneficial microbes.
Due to this, probiotics containing live beneficial microbes can enhance the system’s healthy functioning and prevent the growth of pathogens.
Many women face recurrent UTIs throughout their lives and are treated with antibiotics.
But gradually, antibiotic resistance is becoming a problem and may cause a less effective treatment in the cases of UTIs.
On the other hand, probiotics offer less need for antibiotics and can also enhance their action.
A survey of 252 postmenopausal women with a history of recurrent UTIs was split into two groups.
They were given a probiotic combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 or an antibiotic (Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole) to administer for a year.
The total number of UTIs in both cases was halved.
The antibiotic group noticed a drop from 7 to 2.9 UTIs per year, and the probiotic group dropped 6.8 to 3.3 UTI cases annually.
Furthermore, in the group treated with antibiotics, resistance was observed from approximately 20-40% to 80-95%.
It also explains the efficacy of the probiotics with no such resistance.
Probiotics have been shown to exhibit high anti-pathogenic capability against the E. coli bacteria.
It can produce the antimicrobials that are essential to break down pathogen biofilms and inhibit their actions.
Another study investigated 100 premenopausal women who suffered from at least one UTI in the previous year.
The women were randomly given either probiotics or a placebo following antibiotic treatment for UTIs.
The results showed the probiotics group had 15% recurrent UTIs compared to 27% in the placebo group.
Therefore, probiotics may become an alternative to conventional medicines for treating UTIs.
However, the studies investigating probiotics and UTIs are mixed.
Some research showed promising results, while others reported only little benefits for UTIs.
Therefore, it is necessary to select probiotics that have been researched well and have good adherence with the intimate region, as not all probiotics are the same.
Lactobacilli probiotics for treating UTIs
Lactobacilli probiotics are beneficial for treating UTIs.
According to research, vaginal Lactobacilli probiotics have shown remarkable results and halved the rates of recurrent UTIs in women.
According to NCBI, Lactobacilli probiotics can be specially used to treat complicated UTIs.
They may provide vaginal recolonization (multiplication, without host interaction) with the beneficial bacteria- Lactobacillus.
Can you take probiotics with antibiotics for UTIs
Extensive clinical research suggests that the best probiotics to administer with antibiotics are a specific strain that can be taken with antibiotics rather than taken alone or separately.
Some strains, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11, can be taken with antibiotics.
Moreover, those taking probiotics for vaginal infection often administer them together. However, they work best when taken 2 hours away from the medications.
However, you should always consult your doctor to avoid any health complications.
Conclusion
Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs) is a major cause of concern as it is one of the most hazardous infections for women.
Generally, UTIs are treated with antibiotics, but due to antibody resistance, researchers are shifting their attention toward other alternatives, such as probiotics.
Probiotics are safe and beneficial for preventing UTIs.
The Lactobacillus strain of probiotics has been used to treat UTIs in the long term and restore a healthy environment in the vagina.
There are many studies that claim that probiotics can become an alternative for treating UTIs. However, more research is required in order to know its full potential.
You can also take a few probiotics with your prescribed antibiotics to enhance their beneficial effect and maintain a healthy microbiome.
However, taking probiotics 2 hours before the medication is still advised.
You can consult your doctor to minimize the side effects along with stopping the recurrent UTI episodes by including probiotics supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are probiotics good for UTIs?
Probiotics are usually considered safe and beneficial for treating UTIs, and your healthcare professional may prescribe the antibiotics. Probiotics rich in Lactobacilli can be used to restore the urogenital flora and prevent UTIs against the dominating pathogens in the region.
Can probiotics prevent UTIs?
Yes, probiotics may prevent UTIs. Probiotics with Lactobacilli maintain the natural vaginal flora and reduce the urogenital pathogens, E.coli, in the region. Also, antibiotic resistance due to the use of antibiotics is becoming a major problem. Probiotics offer less need for antibiotics and can also enhance its action.
What are probiotics for UTIs?
Probiotics are live microorganisms, bacteria or yeast, that, on consumption, provide health benefits to the body. Probiotics for UTIs contain Lactobacillus, a bacteria that is known to maintain the vaginal flora and prevent pathogens that cause the infection. Thus, it prevents UTIs.
What probiotics are best for UTIs?
The probiotics with Lactobacillus strain are the best for preventing UTIs. Lactobacillus probiotic strains are safe to administer and pose no harm or side effects to the individual, as in the case of antibiotics. They contain healthy bacteria that maintain the urogenital tract and prevent pathogens in the region.
Do probiotics affect your urinary tract?
Specific strains of bacteria found in probiotics can positively affect the urinary tract. They can ensure the adherence and growth of healthy beneficial bacteria in the region and reduce the pathogens to prevent them from causing an infection. Moreover, probiotics are safe and do not offer resistance like antibiotics.
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