Painful Urination: Another UTI or something else?
That frustrating, burning sensation when you pee is something so many women know all too well. Your first thought is almost certainly that it is just another urinary tract infection, or perhaps it is a vaginal infection caused by yeast, bacteria or trichomoniasis. But if the antibiotics aren’t helping, what if your painful urination is something more, like interstitial cystitis?
Does Cranberry Juice Actually Help UTIs?
Why do we think it helps UTIs? Cranberries contain compounds, called proanthocyanidins (try saying THAT three times fast) and scientific studies have suggested that it may interfere with the adhesion of bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli), the bug responsible for most UTIs, to the lining of the urinary tract. It is thought that if the bacteria cannot stick to the walls of the bladder, then it cannot cause an infection. It may contribute to urinary tract health, but individual responses can vary.