Can Drinking Alcohol Cause a UTI?

Can Drinking Alcohol Cause a UTI?

What happens in the bathroom usually stays in the bathroom, but when it comes to urinary tract infections (UTIs), it’s a different story. The burning, itching, and downright painful sensation that happens when we urinate is a tell-tale sign — and one that calls for a trip to the doctor to get treatment.

UTIs can happen any time and have many different causes. But could alcohol and UTI infections be connected? Can alcohol cause UTI infections? Can alcohol cause kidney infections or bladder infections? And can you drink on UTI antibiotics? Let’s find out if that painful urination after drinking alcohol could be an alcohol-related UTI and what to do about it.

Understanding UTIs

The urinary and digestive systems share some responsibilities when it comes to getting rid of waste, but the two really don’t mix well. While urine is sterile and doesn’t contain bacteria, the digestive tract is a whole different story. Unfortunately, the two systems are right next door to each other. This leaves plenty of opportunities for contamination, which happens if bacteria from the colon gets into the urethra, causing urinary tract infections. (You know how girls are always taught to wipe from front to back when going to the bathroom? Well, this is exactly why.) 

UTIs can happen anywhere from the bladder to the kidneys, but are more common in the lower part of the tract (specifically, in the bladder). Kidney infections are less common, but are more serious than bladder infections. We’ll discuss them in a bit more detail later on.

UTI Causes and Risk Factors

According to the CDC, there are several risk factors for UTIs:

• A previous UTI can increase our chances of getting one in the future.
• Sexual activity can contribute to UTIs by pushing the bacteria toward the urethra.
• Changes in vaginal flora — a fancy name for the bacteria that live inside the vagina — can be a trigger.
• Pregnancy ups the risk of UTIs.
• Age can be a contributing factor (older adults and young children who are potty training are more likely to get them).
• Structural problems in the urinary tract can be a factor.
• Poor hygiene can serve as a trigger.

However, in addition to these factors, there are other factors that contribute to UTIs without directly causing them. And yes, one of them could be alcohol!

Can Alcohol Cause UTIs?

First things first: alcohol doesn’t “cause” UTIs, strictly speaking. So no, that margarita won’t send you to the bathroom doubling over in pain (well, it might — especially if you have too many — but it probably won’t be because of a UTI). However, drinking can create an environment that makes these pesky infections more likely.

There are a couple of different pathways that connect alcohol and UTIs, all of which ultimately have to do with an increase in inflammation and accumulation of bacteria that increases chances of infection. Let’s explore these pathways in more detail.

1. Alcohol Causes Dehydration, Which Irritates the Bladder

Alcohol is notoriously dehydrating, sending us to the bathroom many times throughout the evening (and often well into the night). And as it turns out, it’s not just because of all the liquid we’ve consumed. The reason has to do with a hormone known as vasopressin, which tells the kidneys to hold on to water. Alcohol suppresses vasopressin, so the kidneys open the floodgates, and keep us going back to that long line in the restroom at the bar. (For a closer look, check out: “Breaking the Seal: Why Does Alcohol Make You Pee So Much?”).

The result? We wake up feeling parched and, probably, with a nagging hangover headache. The dehydration, in turn, irritates the bladder by causing urine to be highly concentrated and more acidic. As it sits in the bladder, it puts pressure on it, and the acidity adds to the irritation. Any bacteria hanging out in the area around the urethra jump on the opportunity to invade while defenses are weak.

2. Alcohol Throws a Wrench in the Immune System

Another link between alcohol and UTI infections is a bit more indirect. Alcohol does more than dehydrate us — it also weakens our immune system. Studies show that even one bout of heavy drinking increases our susceptibility to diseases, such as a cold or a flu.

Over time, alcohol poses an even bigger threat to immunity, lowering our ability to fight off diseases and impacting both our innate and adaptive immunity. Part of the reason has to do with the fact that the body’s resources get sidetracked, focusing on getting alcohol out of our system and cleaning up the aftermath it creates. At the same time, alcohol itself causes inflammation, which uses up the immune system’s resources. When those resources are needed to fight off an infection — such as a UTI — they are in short supply, leading to longer recovery times (For more information, take a look at: “Alcohol's Impact on the Immune System”).

What Are the Most Common UTI Symptoms?

Besides that dreaded burning feeling that’s a tell-tale sign an infection might be brewing down there, are there any more symptoms? As it turns out, there are a few. We might expect different symptoms depending on where our infection originates.

Most UTIs involve the lower tract (usually the bladder) and come with some symptoms:

• Changes in urination. We’re likely to experience painful, burning, and (unfortunately) frequent urination.
• Urge to urinate. We might also feel like we need to go to the bathroom even when our bladder is empty.
• Color and smell changes. Our urine might be cloudy or bloody and might also have an odd smell (don’t overthink this one — you’ll know it when you smell it).
• Pain. We might feel some pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen.

Symptoms of a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) are a bit more intense, and usually involve fever or chills, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and pain in the side or back.

Both types of infection are usually easily treatable with antibiotics, but a call to the doctor is a must! If left untreated (or if our infection requires additional care), we’re looking at possible complications if we don’t act quickly.

Should I Drink With a UTI?

We see that alcohol and UTI infections share a causal link, but there’s another question that might be on our mind: does alcohol make UTIs worse if we already have one? To be on the safe side, it’s better to wait a week or two until your UTI is at bay. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!

The truth is, alcohol can worsen existing UTI symptoms through the same mechanism that makes us more susceptible to them after we drink. Besides, if we’re taking UTI medication, that’s another reason to wait. Why? Let’s explore the reasons in more detail.

Can You Drink on UTI Antibiotics?

In general, antibiotics and alcohol don’t mix, and those prescribed for a UTI are no exception. Once a diagnosis is made through a urine test that checks for bacteria, the doctor might prescribe some medication.

Here’s what we might be taking if we’re diagnosed with a UTI:

• Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid). While alcohol doesn’t interact with Macrobid directly, it can intensify some of the side effects, such as headaches or nausea (which alcohol also causes).
• Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim). Bactrim is definitely one of the meds to be careful with. Mixing it with alcohol can cause a disulfiram-like reaction, leading to intense nausea, cardiovascular effects, headaches, facial flushing, and blood pressure fluctuations. The combo could also lead to intensified side effects of both the drug and the alcohol.
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Both alcohol and Cipro can cause gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea and vomiting), dizziness, and headaches. Mixing the two could make them more intense. Plus, it’s processed by the liver, so adding alcohol to the mix could cause unnecessary strain.
• Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid (Augmentin). The mix of alcohol and Augmentin could boost side effects such as indigestion, diarrhea, and nausea. Once again, it’s processed by the liver, so drinking could create extra stress.

Finally, antibiotics tend to be dehydrating, and as we already know, alcohol is too. The last thing we want when we’re already dealing with a UTI is to dry things up even more!

Those UTIs Might Be a Kidney Infection

Remember how we mentioned kidney infections back at the beginning? Chronic UTIs can lead to them. Although bladder and kidney infections are both classified as UTIs, the second is a lot more serious, and can have long-term implications.

Alcohol plays a special role here too. Alcohol misuse and bouts of heavy drinking can compromise kidney function, so it’s one more reason to stay safe and err on the side of moderation (or switch to booze-free options altogether).

Tips To Prevent and Recover From UTIs

Finally, here are some tips to help you stay UTI-free (and recover more quickly if you’ve already got one!)

• See a doctor if you’re having symptoms. This one’s key — if you’ve got symptoms such as painful urination, see your doctor right away. They’ll prescribe antibiotics if you need them and will help rule out other issues if a UTI is not what’s going on.

• Avoid alcohol, coffee, and spicy foods as you recover. All of these will irritate your urinary tract or cause dehydration, which will slow down recovery.

• Sip on some cranberry juice or tea. Cranberry juice is known to have urinary tract benefits, so adding it to your diet can help stave off those UTIs or help you get over one faster.

• Maintain proper hygiene. You know, all that stuff about wiping from front to back we were told as kids? It’s good to remember it!

• Hydrate. Hydration is a huge factor in whether or not bacteria are able to set up camp in our urinary tract, so remember to drink lots of water, especially if you choose to drink alcohol. Alternate drinks with water (or better yet, swap your usual cocktail for a hydrating mocktail instead!)

• Take vitamin C supplements. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, vitamin C helps limit the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract.
• Let it breathe. Let everything down there get plenty of ventilation by wearing cotton undies and loose clothing, especially as you recover. Stay away from nylon and anything too constricting.

• Cut back on drinking. Last but not least, consider cutting back or taking a break from booze. Reframe is here to help you every step of the way! There’s absolutely nothing to lose and a whole world of mindful, healthy alternatives to explore.

If you’re dealing with a UTI, it might feel like it’s taking forever to go away, but rest assured, it will. We’re wishing you a speedy recovery — and a UTI-free future!

Summing Up

In the end, a UTI is a pain and a nuisance to deal with, but it’s temporary and very treatable, provided we take the necessary steps and don’t let it progress. Adding alcohol to the mix will only slow things down, so it’s best to stay away from booze until you feel better. And to lower your chances of getting a UTI in the first place, consider taking a step back from drinking. You might find that the benefits — even if you cut back a bit — go far beyond reducing your risks of UTIs and include perks such as better sleep, weight loss, a healthier heart, a better metabolism, and sharper cognitive skills. Why not try it out for yourself?