Prevention of Bladder Infections

   •   “Cranberry juice may have infection-fighting properties”.
         Caveat: If you take warfarin, a blood thinner, don't drink cranberry
         juice. It may cause a reaction that may lead to bleeding.
         Caveat: If you or family members have a history of kidney stones,
         avoid cranberry juice.
    •    Empty your bladder as soon as possible after intercourse.
         This will flush the urethra from potential infection-causing bacteria.
    •    Avoid potentially irritating feminine hygiene products such as feminine
         deodorants, douches, and powders as the can cause irritation to the
         urethra.
    •    Drink plenty of fluids; avoid fluids which can irritate the bladder such as
         alcohol and caffeine.
 
More Information On Cranberry Juice as a Bladder Infection Prevention Tool

In looking for more definitive information on the ability of cranberry juice to prevent bladder infections, Dr. Henry Zuniga refers to an unnamed study whose results of putting cranberry juice into test tubes found that the substance in cranberries that cause the red color keep bacteria from attaching to the walls of the bladder. If the bacteria don't attach, infection is less likely to occur.

Dr. Zuniga also refers to an unnamed clinical study in which women drank three glasses of cranberry juice per day. These women averaged one less bladder infection per year.

Cranberry juice is high in calories, but Dr. Zuniga states that “cranberry juice extract pills were also effective and much cheaper”.
 
Conclusions on the Effectiveness of Cranberry Juice and Other Methods For Preventing Bladder Infections

It is difficult to assess the value of unnamed studies and clinical trials. So many questions are left unanswered, such as how many women were in the clinical trial; how long did it last; how much juice is in a “glass” of cranberry juice; how many cranberry juice extract pills would equal these “glasses” of juice; would fewer glasses per day produce the same effects; did the women in the study change other health habits that contributed to the outcome of the clinical trial; did they all share the same risks for infection?
 
Because of these unanswered questions and others, and because the highly regarded Mayo Clinic will only say that cranberry juice MAY have infection-fighting properties, it is reasonable to conclude that cranberry juice may or may not prevent bladder infections.

The other methods mentioned, such as drinking plenty of fluids, having good hygiene practices, and others, are all reasonable practices and will produce no potential harm to a person who follows them.

Have you found the secret to avoiding bladder infections?

Has cranberry juice failed you?