How to Sleep With UTI Discomfort?

Written by

Emily Maeve Milord

Emily Maeve Milord is a licensed social worker and wellness freelance writer. She graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in 2020 from Aurora University, where she specialized in both health care and gerontology. Emily has clinical experience working with older adults and adults with disabilities in hospital, nursing home, and social service agency settings. Emily also has a background in psychology, receiving her B.A. in psychology from North Central College in 2018.

Medically reviewed by

Amy Dougherty, FNP-BC, AGAC

Amy is a Board Certified Family Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with over 15 years of experience working in Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care and Primary Care practices. Amy graduated Thomas Jefferson University with high distinction earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2010 and a Post Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGAC) in 2014. She was recognized by the Elite American Nurses Association in 2013 for her dedication, achievements and leadership in the field Nursing. She served as a clinical preceptor for a number of Nurse Practitioner students and enjoys teaching the bright minds of future NPs.

Experiencing a urinary tract infection (UTI) can significantly disrupt your sleep due to symptoms such as pain, discomfort, and frequent urges to urinate.

If you can’t sleep or are struggling to get a good night’s sleep because of UTI discomfort there are several things you can try to alleviate your symptoms and help you get some much-needed rest.

Some things to consider include changing your sleeping position, managing your hydration levels, avoiding bladder irritants, and using various pain management techniques such as a heating pad or OTC medication.

Continue reading to learn more and to get some tips on how to sleep with a UTI.

Key takeaways:

• UTI symptoms can cause discomfort that will disrupt your sleep.
• There are methods you can use at home to help relieve UTI symptoms and help you sleep with UTI discomfort at night but they will not treat the infection. 
• Things you can do to prevent or minimize UTI pain and discomfort at night include: increasing your water intake but limiting it in the evenings, emptying your bladder before you go to bed, and avoiding drinks that could irritate your bladder. 
• To help relieve UTI pain and discomfort during the night, you could use a heating pad or OTC medication.
• The only way to treat or cure a UTI is with antibiotics. 
• You should seek medical care if you have symptoms of a UTI. If treatment is delayed the infection could spread to other parts of your body.  

Table of Contents

• How to Sleep With a UTI?
• What Are the Best UTI Sleeping Positions?
• When to See a Doctor?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Key Takeaways

How to Sleep With a UTI?

Sleeping with UTI discomfort can be very difficult because of the constant urge to urinate and the pain that comes with it. There are, however, a few things you can do in order to ease the discomfort and make it easier to sleep.

Here are some at-home methods to use to help you sleep when you have a UTI:

Avoid Caffeine and Other Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder

While there are many ways to help relieve UTI pain, one of the most important is to avoid drinks that can irritate your bladder. This includes caffeine and other stimulants, as well as sugary or acidic beverages. alcohol can also exacerbate UTI symptoms, so it is best to avoid it altogether.

Instead, focus on drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day to help flush out bacteria and promote healing. Water is always a good choice, but you can also try cranberry juice or herbal tea. Just be sure to avoid any beverages that might make your symptoms worse.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drink plenty of water. This helps in two ways. First, it will cause you to urinate more often and help flush out the bacteria that are causing the infection. Secondly, it will reduce the concentration of your urine and make it more diluted which may help relieve pain.

Some people also like to drink cranberry juice for UTIs. Be cautious because the juice has a lot of sugar in it. Make sure to avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine, citrus, or carbonation. These may irritate the bladder more.

Use a Heating Pad or a Hot Water Bottle

If you’re looking for some fast relief, a heating pad or hot water bottle can be a great option. The heat helps to soothe the inflammation and pain associated with a UTI. Simply apply the heat source to your lower abdomen or back for 10-15 minutes at a time. You should start to feel relief within a few minutes. 

Limit Your Fluid Intake in the Evenings

One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce discomfort is to limit your fluid intake in the evening. This helps to reduce the urgency and frequency of urination, giving your body a chance to heal.

Empty Your Bladder Before Going to Sleep

One of the simplest and most effective ways to ease UTI discomfort at night is to empty your bladder before going to bed. This will help to flush out the bacteria and reduce the risk of further infection.

Schedule Nighttime Bathroom Breaks

One way to help relieve UTI discomfort is to schedule regular bathroom breaks during the night. This will help you empty your bladder and reduce the risk of infection

Take a Shower or a Sitz Bath

Another method is taking a shower or a sitz bath. Use the water temperature that is most comforting to you. This will help relieve pain before lying down to go to sleep for the night. 

OTC Medication

Speak with a pharmacist or healthcare professional about over-the-counter medication that can help relieve the urinary symptoms of a UTI such as Pyridium. Be advised that this medication may turn your urine a red or orange color.

These medications will not treat or cure your urinary infection but they may help relieve symptoms. You should see a healthcare professional for treatment.

What Are the Best UTI Sleeping Positions?

When you have a urinary tract infection, it can be difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep in. The infection can cause pain and burning when you urinate, as well as increased frequency and urgency. These symptoms can make it hard to fall asleep in the first place, and even harder to stay asleep.

However, there are some sleeping positions that can help to ease the discomfort and enable you to get a good night’s rest. The best sleeping positions for UTI relief are on your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your side with a pillow between your legs. This helps to take the pressure off of your bladder and gives you the best possible chance of getting a good night’s sleep.

When to See a Doctor?

You should see a healthcare professional whenever you have symptoms of a UTI. UTIs are commonly treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics will most likely take a couple of days to help relieve your symptoms. Remember to always finish the entire course of antibiotics your healthcare professional prescribes you. 

Do not delay treatment because symptoms can worsen quickly and the infection can spread to other parts of your body.

Get help from an online doctor for your UTI

With an online doctor, you can get a prescription for antibiotics from the comfort of your own home. You can also get answers to any questions you might have about your UTI and its treatment. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about taking time off work or making other arrangements in order to see a doctor.

With DrHouse you can see a board-certified online doctor anytime, anywhere. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone. Just download the app, choose your plan and you can start an on-demand visit with a doctor in minutes.

Don’t wait to get the help you need for your UTI. Download the DrHouse app and get started today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

• UTI symptoms can cause discomfort that will disrupt your sleep.
• There are methods you can use at home to help relieve UTI symptoms and help you sleep with UTI discomfort at night but they will not treat the infection. 
• Things you can do to prevent or minimize UTI pain and discomfort at night include: increasing your water intake but limiting it in the evenings, emptying your bladder before you go to bed, and avoiding drinks that could irritate your bladder. 
• In order to help relieve UTI pain and discomfort during the night, you could use a heating pad or OTC medication.
• The only way to treat or cure a UTI is with antibiotics. 
• You should seek medical care if you have symptoms of a UTI. If treatment is delayed the infection could spread to other parts of your body.  

Sources:

• Understanding UTIs Across the Lifespan – Urology Care Foundation. (2022). https://www.urologyhealth.org/healthy-living/urologyhealth-extra/magazine-archives/summer-2016/understanding-utis-across-the-lifespan 
• Medina, M., & Castillo-Pino, E. (2019). An introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections. Therapeutic Advances In Urology, 11, 175628721983217. doi: https://www.doi.org/10.1177/1756287219832172 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, October 6). Urinary tract infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html 
• Tian Y, Cai X, Wazir R, Wang K, Li H. Water consumption and urinary tract infections: an in vitro study. Int Urol Nephrol. 2016 Jun;48(6):949-54. doi: 10.1007/s11255-016-1262-7. Epub 2016 Mar 18. PMID: 26992936.
• UTIs, How You Get. “Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).” (2010). Available from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54243e12e4b0daad27eb7b1c/t/546650f7e4b024bf2e925c0b/1415991543384/UTI.pdf
• Dielubanza EJ, Schaeffer AJ. Urinary tract infections in women. Med Clin North Am. 2011 Jan;95(1):27-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2010.08.023. PMID: 21095409.