Urine infection or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can trouble a lot of women. Though men also get urine infections, women are four times more at risk of acquiring UTI than men. Urine infection happens when bacteria gain entry into the urinary tract via urethra and start multiplying in the urinary bladder. The most common bacteria that tends to cause urine infection is Escherichia coli (E.coli). Urinary tract infection can occur in any part of urinary tract. When infection occurs in the urethra and the bladder, it is termed as lower urinary tract infection. Infection involving the ureters and the kidneys is referred to as upper urinary tract infection.
Why are women more at risk of urine infection? First among many reasons is that urethral opening in the females is very close to the anus. Due to this, bacteria around the anus easily travel to the urethra. Second is the urethra in women is short as compared to men. So the bacteria have to travel less distance to get into the bladder from the urethra. Next, use of diaphragms (for birth control) or spermicidal (contraceptive substances that destroy sperms) agents also increases risk. Sexual activity can also be the cause in young sexually active women. Some women are predisposed to frequent urine infection initially after marriage. This is termed honeymoon cystitis. Besides these women around menopause also are more predisposed to get urine infection. The reason is decrease in estrogen levels that leads to certain changes in the urinary tract that heightens UTI risk. The symptoms include pain/ burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate, urgency to pass urine, pelvic pain, strong smell from urine and cloudy or bloody urine. In case of upper tract UTI symptoms include fever, chills, pain in the upper back and sides, nausea and vomiting.
Homeopathic Treatment
Homeopathic mode of treatment carries a great scope to treat cases of urine infection in females. Homeopathic medicines help in fighting urine infection naturally by boosting the self-healing mechanism of the body. The symptoms of urine infection are well managed with these medicines. These medicines help to manage the symptoms. Homeopathic medicines for treating urine infection are made of natural substances, hence are very safe to use without any toxic side effects. Homeopathic prescription to treat urine infection varies from case to case based on the characteristic individual symptoms. Homeopathic medicines to treat urine infection should be taken under supervision of a homeopathic doctor and self-medication should be avoided.
Homeopathic medicines for UTI in women
1. Sepia – Top Remedy
Sepia is a top recommended medicine to manage urine infection in women. This medicine gives wonderful results in managing pain and the burning sensation occurring while passing urine. There is frequent urge to pass urine. A constant pressure on the bladder is felt. An urgency to pass urine is present with the need to rush to pass urine hurriedly without any delay. If desire to pass urine is not attended immediately, urine passes involuntarily. There is pelvic pain or bearing down in the pelvis and tension in the lower abdomen along with above symptoms. Urine may have an offensive smell. It can be dark in color and cloudy as well. Urine may be scanty and sometimes only few drops of urine pass.
2. Cantharis – For Marked Burning And Pain
This medicine is the next prominent medicine for treating urine infection in females. It is helpful when burning or pain is felt while passing urine as well as before and after passing urine. The urine passed may be scanty and at times in drops. In some cases, drops of blood may pass in the urine. There is a frequent urge to urinate. Even the smallest quantity of urine in the bladder leads to an urge to pass urine. The urge to pass urine increases while standing and walking and gets better on sitting. Heaviness is felt in the bladder.
3. Apis Mellifica – For Burning When Passing Last Drops Of Urine
This medicine works best when there is burning, especially on passing the last drops of urine. There is a frequent urge to urinate in cases needing it. There is an urge almost every half an hour to pass urine but only little urine is passed at a time. Stinging pain may also be felt on passing urine.
4. Staphysagria – For Urine Infection In Young Married Women
This medicine is highly recommended to treat urine infection in young married women. This condition is referred to as honeymoon cystitis. Females needing it feel burning when urinating. Urine frequency is increased and urine passes in thin stream or drop by drop. Urine is yellowish- red. The pressure persists in the bladder as if it didn’t get empty. There is a sensation as if a drop of urine is continuously rolling in the urethra. A needle-like stitching pain is also felt in the urethra.
5. Pulsatilla – For Burning During and After Urination
This medicine is very beneficial for managing burning during and after urination. Besides, frequent desire to urinate occurs as pressure builds up in the bladder. It seems as if the bladder is too full. There is an urgency to pass urine and it is impossible to delay passing urine. Mucus sediments pass in the urine. It is also indicated for cutting and stinging pain during urination.
6. Merc Cor – For Intense Burning In Urethra
This medicine is suitable for cases when there is intense burning in the urethra. There is frequent urge to urinate. But inspite of passing urine several times, there is a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. Urine may pass in drops with pain. Urine is hot. Blood may be present in the urine in some cases.
7. Sarsaparilla – For Burning When Passing Last Part Of Urine
This medicine is well indicated for managing burning felt when passing the last part of urine. Urine is scanty that passes in thin stream. Urine may contain pus and blood. The bladder may be tender to touch. There is frequent ineffectual urge to urinate with decreased urine secretion.
8. Lycopodium – For Frequent Urine And Bearing Down Pain Over Bladder
This medicine is helpful for managing frequent urination along with bearing down pain over the bladder region. The urine contains yellow or red sediments and has a foul odor. Pain gets worse on lying down mainly at night. Bladder feels heavy. Dull pressing pain in the bladder and abdomen may also be felt. In some cases stitching pain might occur. Urine is pale or dark colored. Itching in the urethra may be there.
9. Equisetum – For Pain After Voiding Urine
This medicine works well in cases where severe pain is felt immediately after urine is passed. Bladder region along with the lower abdomen can be tender to pressure. There is also dull pain in the bladder not relieved after urination. There is a constant desire to pass urine but only small amount of urine is passed every time.