Is Milk Bad for a UTI?

Written by

Jessica Guht

Jessica is a medical writer with an unquenched thirst to discover something new. She believes that medical content should be accessible to everyone and strives to write content that every single person can understand. When Jessica isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading a book with a dog cuddled in her lap. Jessica has a Masters of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering.

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.

If you are stuck with a painful UTI, it’s only natural that you want to do everything in your power to reduce your suffering. For some people, this leads them to avoid certain types of food and drink that can aggravate their condition. 

This article will address whether there are any benefits to be gained from avoiding drinking milk when you have a UTI. 

Table of Contents

• Can You Drink Milk if You Have a UTI?
• Does Milk Worsen a UTI in Any Way?
• What Drinks Should You Avoid With a UTI?
• What Should You Eat?
• How Can You Prevent a UTI?
• How Is a UTI Treated?
• How Can DrHouse Help You With Your UTI?
• Key Takeaways

Can You Drink Milk if You Have a UTI?

The short answer to this question is yes, it is perfectly safe to drink milk if you have a UTI. But what many people don’t realize is that it may also be beneficial to drink milk-based products, especially fermented ones if you have a UTI. 

This is because, as Kontiokari et al (2003) points out, the consumption of fermented milk products as well as berry juices helps to change the nature of fecal bacterial flora. This is crucial because the cause of many UTIs is the contamination of the urinary tract with fecal bacteria, so by changing the flora you also reduce the risk of infection. 

What Drinks Should You Avoid With a UTI?

While milk is safe, and may even be beneficial to those with a UTI, there are other drinks that you should avoid. These include:

• Coffee: Coffee contains caffeine, which can irritate the bladder and increase your risk of developing a UTI.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can dehydrate your body and make it more difficult for your urinary system to flush out bacteria.
• Soda: Soda is high in sugar and can promote the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract.
• Orange juice: Orange juice contains citric acid, which can irritate the already inflamed tissues of the urinary tract.

If you are suffering from a UTI, it is best to avoid all of these drinks and stick to water and other unsweetened beverages. This will help to flush out the bacteria and keep your urinary tract healthy.

What Should You Eat?

There are certain foods that can help to relieve the symptoms of a urinary tract infection and promote healing. These include:

• Cranberries: Cranberries contain compounds that can help to prevent bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract.
• Garlic: Garlic contains antibacterial properties that can help to kill the bacteria that cause UTIs.
• Yogurt: Yogurt contains probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that can help to fight off infection.

By the same logic, there are also some foods you should avoid. These include :

• Spicy foods: Spicy foods can irritate the already inflamed tissues of the urinary tract.
• Acidic fruits: Acidic fruits, such as oranges and lemons, can also irritate the urinary tract.
• Sugar: Sugar can promote the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract.

How Can You Prevent a UTI?

There are a few things that you can do to lower your risk of developing a urinary tract infection. These include:

• Drink plenty of fluids: This will help to flush out bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Urinate regularly: This will help to keep the urinary tract clean and prevent bacteria from building up.
• Wipe from front to back: This will help to prevent bacteria from the anus from contaminating the urethra.
• Avoid tight clothing: Tight clothing can irritate the skin and increase your risk of developing a UTI.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent a urinary tract infection from occurring. If you do develop a UTI, be sure to see your doctor so that you can get the proper treatment.

How Is a UTI Treated?

A urinary tract infection is typically treated with antibiotics. These medications can help to kill the bacteria that are causing the infection. It is important to finish the full course of antibiotics, even if your symptoms go away, to make sure that the infection is completely gone.

In some cases, a UTI may require hospitalization. This is typically only necessary if the infection is severe or if it has spread to the kidneys. If you are hospitalized, you will likely be given intravenous antibiotics and fluids.

If you think that you may have a UTI, it is important to see your doctor so that you can get the proper treatment. Untreated UTIs can lead to serious complications, so it is best to get them treated as soon as possible.

How Can DrHouse Help You With Your UTI?

If you think that you may have a urinary tract infection, DrHouse can help. With DrHouse you can make on-demand 24/7 online doctor visits from the comfort of your own home. DrHouse can help diagnose and treat your UTI with antibiotics, if necessary. 

You can also get tips on how to prevent UTIs in the future. With DrHouse, you can get the care you need without having to see a doctor in person.

FAQ

Key Takeaways

The critical things to remember are:

• Milk is safe and can even be beneficial for those with a UTI, especially in fermented versions 
• You should avoid caffeine, alcohol, and soda
• You should seek treatment for a UTI as soon as possible, as untreated UTI can spread to the kidneys and cause serious complications.

Sources:

• Hisano M, Bruschini H, Nicodemo AC, Srougi M. Cranberries and lower urinary tract infection prevention. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012;67(6):661-668. Available from: https://www.doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2012(06)18.
• B Foxman and R R Frerichs, 1985: Epidemiology of urinary tract infection: II. Diet, clothing, and urination habits. American Journal of Public Health 75, 1314_1317. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.75.11.1314.
• Tero Kontiokari, Jaana Laitinen, Leea Järvi, Tytti Pokka, Kaj Sundqvist, Matti Uhari, Dietary factors protecting women from urinary tract infection, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 77, Issue 3, March 2003, Pages 600–604. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/77.3.600.