Antibiotics for UTIs:
What to Know

Can you remember the first urinary tract infection (UTI) you ever had? With the cloudy-looking urine, the urge to pee every five minutes, and the painful burning… UTIs are hard to forget. The only good thing about having your first UTI is that you’ll definitely recognize the symptoms if you ever get them again!

Once you know that you have a UTI, odds are you’ll be looking for a solution–and fast. So, let’s start off with some great news: There are infection-killing UTI antibiotics available online, without an in-person doctor’s appointment. But, how effective are UTI antibiotics and where can you get them? What is the best antibiotic for a UTI? And are there ways to prevent UTIs in the first place? Read on to get all the answers to your most burning questions about UTI antibiotics.

Causes and Symptoms of a UTI

People with vaginas are more likely to get a UTI simply because they have a shorter urethra than people with penises (yeah, we don’t think it’s fair either). This means bacteria can travel more easily up the urethra to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. In fact, up to 50 percent of women will have a UTI in their lifetime—so it’s important to understand the causes and recognize the symptoms!

There are a few things that increase the risk of a UTI. Sexual intercourse is a big one, as it introduces new bacteria to the genital area and helps spread bacteria into different places. Peeing right after sex can help mitigate this risk!

Pregnancy increases the risk of developing a UTI because of the added pressure on the bladder, and menopausal women are at a higher risk of UTIs due to hormonal changes. Other factors include dehydration, kidney stones, and not keeping the genitals clean and dry. An enlarged prostate can also increase your risk of UTI—this is particularly common as men age.

Common symptoms of UTI include having to pee more frequently and often with more urgency. Those suffering from a UTI may have cloudy or smelly urine. Some more serious symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating, blood found in the urine, fever, and pain in the back under the ribs. If you have any of these symptoms it is time to get antibiotics for UTI.

Getting antibiotics for UTIs

If you’ve had a UTI before, it’s easy to spot the first symptoms. Then comes the googling for home remedies, chugging of water, anything to avoid the expensive and time-consuming trip to urgent care. Don’t worry, Wisp has your solution! You can now get UTI antibiotics without appointments or insurance.

Ordering online through Wisp gives access to the antibiotics you need. If you know what works well for you, then you can purchase your preferred medication. Wisp also gives a “let your provider decide” option where after a few questions, your licensed medical provider will fit you with the best prescription. After purchasing online, the prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy within 24 hours for you to pick up.* Getting antibiotics for a UTI has never been easier.

What is the best antibiotic for a UTI?

If you have one of these painful infections, it makes sense to wonder what is the best antibiotic for a UTI. After all, you want it gone sooner rather than later! There are a few different UTI antibiotic options, so let’s discuss.

• Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid): This antibiotic has been used to treat UTIs for over 60 years. It’s typically prescribed for seven days and is well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
  
• Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim): Like Nitrofurantoin, this antibiotic is a first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs. Meaning, it’s part of the standard (and best!) treatments for UTIs.
  
• Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Augmentin): This antibiotic is used to treat a number of different infections, including UTIs.

Your healthcare provider might prescribe one of these or another UTI antibiotic depending on your unique health needs and situation. Whichever prescription you receive, make sure to finish the entire round of antibiotics—even if your symptoms have improved.

Can a UTI be prevented?

Unfortunately, getting several UTIs per year isn’t all that uncommon. If you find yourself struggling with recurrent UTIs, understanding what triggers your infections is key! That way you can do your best to prevent UTIs before they happen.

Here are some simple things that can help prevent UTIs:

• Pee after you have sex. Some evidence suggests that clearing the urethra can help flush out any bad bacteria that might have made their way into your urinary tract system during sex. Make sure to go right after if you can!
• Drink lots of water. Fluids, especially water, cause you to pee, which helps flush out your urinary tract frequently.
• Don't hold your pee. Go to the bathroom as soon as you get the urge. Holding urine in your bladder can lead to infection.
• Wipe front to back. E. coli bacteria found in fecal matter is responsible for causing about 75 percent%2C%20Staphylococcus%20saprophyticus%20(S.) of UTIs, so ensure you're wiping front to back after you pee to keep any bacteria from getting into your urethra.
• Wash your privates. Keep your genitals clean by washing with warm water once a day.
• Skip the douche. You don't need to clean out your vagina—it does that all by itself. Douching can cause a bacterial imbalance, which can lead to a UTI.
• Keep it comfy. Make sure your underwear and pants aren't too tight. Constriction and lack of airflow can cause a breeding ground for bacteria. Cotton underwear is always a good option to keep it "unrestricted" down there.
  
  

UTI prevention supplements

If good hygiene and proper habits aren’t enough in your fight against recurrent UTIs, it might be time to call in some extra help! These options aren’t suitable for treating a full-blown UTI–that’s where antibiotics are still queen! Instead, they help prevent UTIs by helping to keep your urinary tract clear and bacteria-free.

• Daily Urinary Tract Support Capsules: These daily capsules are packed with UTI-fighting ingredients and are great for anyone looking to take care of their bladder health! Green tea leaf extract inhibits UTI-causing bacteria, cranberry fruit extract lowers UTI risk by 26 percent, and D-mannose reduces UTI recurrence to 15 percent.
  
• Urinary Tract Cleansing Mix: Remember when we said staying hydrated is key to preventing UTIs? Well, making some of that hydration a UTI cleansing mix is even better! Drink this cleanse after a potential UTI trigger to help keep bacteria from causing an infection.
  
• Urinary Tract Duo: Por que no los dos? Double down on your UTI prevention with both our Support Capsules and Cleansing Mix.

While we can all do our best to prevent infections, UTIs are common so getting prevention options and antibiotics for UTIs should be easy! Order from the privacy of your own home, and get the antibiotics you need within 24 hours at your local pharmacy.

*Note that the average of 3 hours applies when orders are placed during regular operating hours (9:30am-6:30pm ET), with the exception of national bank holidays.